Boat trip on Lancaster Canal

We had glorious weather for our first summer excursion of 2025 to the Lancaster Canal. It was perfect for a relaxing boat trip through beautiful countryside.

We boarded the “Waterwitch” at Crooklands and enjoyed a leisurely cruise along the canal up to Stainton, including crossing the Stainton aqueduct. We alighted for a picnic lunch and a short walk to look at the aqueduct from underneath. Then it was back on the boat for the equally relaxing return trip, watching ducklings, tadpoles, damsel flies, wild flowers and a heron.

The canal used to run from Kendal to Preston and was known as “the black and white line”, taking coal up to Kendal and limestone down to Preston on boats originally pulled by horses. We also saw the remains of a tramway which was used to carry gunpowder for transport to both ends where it was needed for blasting.

Chas and Colin, who looked after us on our trip, are two of the group of volunteers for the Lancaster Canal Trust which, since 1963, has been clearing and restoring the canal with the aim of reopening it from Tewitfield locks to Kendal.