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    Did you know our canals are some of the best place Did you know our canals are some of the best places to see bats swooping and gliding at dusk?🦇

These incredible little mammals come out after dark to hunt for moths, midges and mosquitoes – a real treat to watch on a still autumn evening.

Tips for your bat walk:
✨ Head out just after sunset when bats are most active
✨ Look out for them skimming low over the canal or weaving through trees
✨ Stay quiet and keep torches low – they rely on their amazing echolocation to find their way

Why not spend Halloween doing something a little different? Get wrapped up warm, grab a torch (for your path, not the bats!) and head out for a Bat Walk to see what you can spot on the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail 🎃

There's some great tips on the Canal & River Trust website - head over to the link in our bio to read more!

#LancasterCanal #TowpathTrail #HalloweenWalks #BatSpotting #CanalWildlife
    Today we wanted to highlight amazing local artist Today we wanted to highlight amazing local artist @_emmafieldart_ who has been feeling inspired by the reflections and colours along the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail!

Emma has taken inspiration from morning walks with friends and lunch break walks to create several stunning paintings including 'Winter Reflections on The Lancaster Canal' & 'Dappled Light on the Towpath by Haverbreaks'.

"I'm really happy with how it has captured the feeling I experience admiring the changing seasons along the canal, which is somewhere I enjoy running, walking with my family and friends. I feel very lucky to have this constant source of inspiration so close to home and my work and will be excited to sit by the canal soon to paint en plein air!"

Emma was also a 2025 Lancashire Landscape Artist of the Year finalist (@lancashirecc and @creativelancs) for Winter Reflections on The Lancaster Canal and The Pepper Pot, Silverdale.

If you want to check out some of her beautiful artwork it will be on display at @arteriawithgallery23 in Lancaster from October 2025 - January 2026.

#LancasterCanal #CanalTowpathTrail #Lancashire #Cumbria #Lancaster #ArtistInspiration
    A little bit of Hollywood in Carnforth 🎥 Follo A little bit of Hollywood in Carnforth 🎥

Following our Carnforth loop? Don’t stop at the station doors - wander under the tunnel and you’ll discover the incredible Carnforth Station Heritage Centre on the far side of the tracks.

It’s the very setting that earned cinematic fame in David Lean’s 1945 classic Brief Encounter, starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. A perfect post-walk detour for film buffs and families alike!

The station has been lovingly restored and is now an award-winning heritage centre. The tea rooms have been restored to resemble the set used in Brief Encounter and now serve refreshments daily, while the extensive heritage centre tells not only the story of the making of the film, but delves into the history and heritage of Carnforth, its workers and its families.

Make a day of it by strolling the towpath, nip through the tunnel to the Heritage Centre, and soak up a slice of British film history before heading back to the canal.

@visitlancashire @lancashire_in_focus @bbclancashire @visitheritageuk @briefencounterbistro

#LancasterCanal #TowpathTrail #BriefEncounter #Carnforth #Heritage #DaysOut #WalkIt #CycleIt #EnjoyIt
    Looking for an accessible adventure that blends ca Looking for an accessible adventure that blends canal side calm with café culture?

Our Carnforth Loop walk is approximately 2 miles (1 hour) along a surfaced, wheelchair-friendly stretch of the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail - which takes you right into the heart of Carnforth Town Centre.

Think peaceful waterside strolling, charming shops, café pit stops and the iconic Brief Encounter Heritage Centre at the railway station.

Check out the full trail and download your map from our website "Walk It" page via the link in our bio.

#LancasterCanal #TowpathTrail #CarnforthLoop #FamilyDaysOut #ExploreLocal #CanalHistory #AccessibleWalks #WalkIt #Carnforth
    Not all heroes wear capes! 🦸‍♀️ We want Not all heroes wear capes! 🦸‍♀️

We want to say a huge thank you to Nick who is a Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership CIC director and Canal & River Trust volunteer ranger.

Nick spent the best part of a week out along the new section of Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail strimming and cutting back the overgrowth to prepare our paths for our visitors. Including a group of lovely mums and tots who got together for a day out along the Towpath Trail earlier this month.

We absolutely love seeing people out enjoying the Towpath and want to thank Nick for doing such a fabulous job of tending to the paths and making them more accessible for visitors.

#MakeADifference #Volunteers #VolunteersInAction #TowpathTrail
    It's UK Coffee Week this week and we wanted to sha It's UK Coffee Week this week and we wanted to share some of our favourite places to grab a brew along the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail!

1. @fuellingthebold_ (by Carringtons Coffee Co.)📍Hest Bank
A specialist coffee shop serving locally roasted beans, and right close to the towpath at Hest Bank. Perfect for a takeaway coffee before or after a walk. 

2. The Dairy Shed📍Natland
A lovely open-barn spot with self-serve drinks, cake, fresh milk vending, teas and coffee.

3. The New England Tearoom & Shop📍Capernwray
Vintage style tearoom, family-run, just off the Lancaster Canal. Offers breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea. Beautiful countryside views too. 

4. @lowsizerghbarn📍Sizergh
A farm shop and café where you can enjoy coffee with views into the dairy shed to watch the cows being milked!

5. @longlandshotel📍Tewitfield
A welcoming canal side spot with fresh coffee, great food and space to relax after a towpath walk.

6. @the_crooklands📍Crooklands
An independent family run hotel, restaurant and pub just a stones throw from the Towpath and Water Witch Boat trips.

Do you have a favourite brew spot along the towpath? Tag them in the comments below!

#CoffeeWeek #LancasterCanal #TowpathTrail #BrewWithAView #ProperBrew
    Looking for a gorgeous canal walk with a brew stop Looking for a gorgeous canal walk with a brew stop along the way? 🫖 

The New England Tearoom & Shop at Capernwray is run with love by Sharon & Nev – and it shows in every detail.

From vintage crockery and a proper brew (the best for miles, if you ask the locals!) to their famous homemade sourdough, this is the perfect spot to pause during a walk, cycle or paddle along the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail!

🐾 Dog friendly and full of character, you’ll find hearty breakfasts, tempting cakes and now brand new Sunday Lunch – already earning rave reviews for generous portions and homely flavours.

Whether you’re popping in for coffee and cake, stocking up on treats from the shop, or sitting down to a long, relaxed meal, expect a warm welcome and food that leaves you planning your next visit.

#LancasterCanal #TowpathTrail #DogFriendlyCafe #TraditionalBritishTearoom #Capernwray
    There’s nothing quite like exploring the Lancast There’s nothing quite like exploring the Lancaster Canal by canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

With peaceful waters, wildlife all around and miles of calm adventure ahead - it's a fantastic place to get out on the water. Especially when the windy weather doesn't allow for bigger adventures!

Before you head out, take a moment to make sure you’re paddling safely:
✅ Beginners – paddle with an experienced friend until you build confidence
✅ Always wear a life jacket, buoyancy aid and/or your board leash
✅ Plan your route and know the safest access points
✅ Pass other crafts on the right-hand side
✅ Check your kit is in good working order
✅ Help protect our waters – Check, Clean, Dry your equipment to prevent invasive species spreading

For more detail, watch the Paddler Code – it’s a brilliant guide to respecting, protecting and enjoying the canal.

👉 Canal & River Trust guidance via our "Paddle It" page

#LancasterCanal #TowpathTrail #PaddleSafe #PaddleUK #CanalRiverTrust #LancasterCanalTowpathTrail

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