Skip to content

back to Sizergh

Lake District

Kendal to Sizergh along the River Kent

The river Kent, running through woodland in the spring. The water is flowing fast across mossy limestone, and the trees are beginning to grow leaves. It's a sunny day, and the sky in the distance is blue. — The river Kent | © James Dobson

A walk from the historic heart of Kendal to the pastures of the 13th-century Sizergh estate, along the banks of the beautiful river Kent.

Near to

Start point

Kendal Market Square, grid ref: 516928, post code: LA9 4TR

Trail information

Difficulty

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 5.5 (km: 8.8)

Short trail

DistanceMiles: 5.5 (km: 8.8)

Duration2 hours 120 mins to 3 hours 180 mins

Dog friendly

Address
Kendal Market Square, grid ref: 516928, post code: LA9 4TR
Directions via Google Maps
By bus
It's about a 5 minute walk from Kendal Bus Station to the Market Square start point. Turn right out of the station onto Blackhall Road and take the first right onto Stramongate. Follow Stramongate for one block, turning right onto the cobbled street of Branthwaite Brow which enters Market Place. You can also get the bus back from Sizergh to Kendal at the end of your walk.
By train
Kendal Train Station is an 11 minute walk from the market square start point. From the station cross the road to the County Hotel, then turn left in front of the hotel to join Wildman Street and walk over the river. At the bridge, the same road becomes Stramongate, which you follow for two blocks, then turn right onto the cobbled street of Branthwaite Brow which enters Market Place.
On foot
The Market Square start point can easily be accessed on foot from the bus station, Kendal Train Station and Oxenholme Station.
By road
The closest cark park to the start point is the council car park by Booths supermarket, post code LA9 4DP. There is also a car park at Sizergh, in case you'd like to do the walk in reverse and catch the bus back to your car.
Total stages: 16
Total stages: 16
Start point
Kendal Market Square, grid ref: 516928, post code: LA9 4TR
Stage 1
Start at Kendal Market Square. With the market square behind you, turn left on Stricklandgate and walk south, towards the Town Hall. Once you reach the Town Hall, cross Lowther Street and walk straight on as far as Dowker's Lane, which connects to Abbot Hall Park.
Historic yards and streets
Notice all of historic yards which you pass along the high street, and the name of the high street - 'Stricklandgate', which is derived from 30 generations of Stricklands, who founded the Sizergh estate and still live there today. Kendal’s famous 18th century yards filled up with cottages, industry and workshops to support the growth of Kendal’s trades, the most important of which was the wool trade. At it’s peak there were 150 yards, and the history of many of these yards can be enjoyed today as you walk along the High Street. Look out for the Kendal Civic Society plaques in each yard which tell you more. Collin Croft yard, adjacent to HSBC on the opposite site of the street just after Lowther Street crossing, is arguably the best preserved yard, and has many interesting features. Look out for the covered steps from Collin Croft back to the high street - you'll pass through the former sites of Collin Croft Brewery, a Malt Shovel Inn, an iron foundary, timber yard, brass foundary, printing works, stables and cottages.
Stage 2
At Dowker's Lane, turn left and enter Abbot Hall park. Walk through the park and cross the pedestrian bridge.
Stage 3
Cross the road and turn left on Aynam Road, then immediately right onto the quiet residential Queen Katherine Street. At the top of the street join the footpath which connects you to the historic Kendal to Lancaster canal trail. Turn right along the traffic-free trail, which will take you through Kendal to the river Kent.
The Lancaster to Kendal canal
The final section of the canal linking Kendal to Lancaster opened in 1819. The canal brought prosperity to Kendal, as coal was imported for various industries housed in and around the town, and limestone and slate from local quarries were exported. Back in its heyday, the canal banks in Kendal would have been populated with wharves, stores and warehouses. The last barge load of coal was brought to Kendal in 1944, and the canal began closing in sections from 1947. Today the Towpath Trail celebrates its heritage and follows the original towpath.
Stage 4
At Park Side Road, safely cross the road and re-join the canal trail on the other side.
Stage 5
At Burton Road, safely cross the road and re-join the canal trail on the other side.
Stage 6
Where the canal trail meets Natland Road, cross the road and walk along Watercrook Lane which is a narrow country lane with very little traffic.
Stage 7
At the end of the short lane, just before the farm stead, look for a footpath finger post on the left to join the footpath and cross through farm gates to walk across a field path. In the second field the path leads down to the river Kent.
Stage 8
Follow the footpath alongside the river Kent and enjoy the scenery, created by one of the shortest rivers in England.
The river Kent
The river Kent is both a UK designated SSSI (Site of Specific Scientific Interest) and an EU designated SAC (Special Area of Conservation). The Clean River Kent Campaign was established in autumn 2021, and aims to make the river clean for all types of water-based recreation and to protect the ecology and wildlife in the river by working with local people. They are a volunteer coalition of communities living along the river Kent, including members from Staveley, Burneside, Kendal, Sizergh and Levens.
The river Kent is an SSSI, and campaigners at the Clean River Kent Campaign are working to ensure it stays clean for people and nature. | © Nicola Fearnley, Clean River Kent Campaign
Stage 9
At Hawes Bridge, turn right to walk a few metres along the country lane (Hawes Lane) and re-join the footpath on the left hand side, just before the bridge, to re-join the path alongside the river Kent.
Stunning scenery and the suspension bridge
This is arguably the most scenic part of the walk, as the footpath passes through woods with lovely views of the river rapids below. You'll soon reach the suspension bridge, which turned 150 years old in 2024. It was first shown on maps in 1859 as ‘new wood bridge’. The bridge is likely to have been built to divert members of the public from walking through the gunpowder works, and to ensure that all workers could access the site at one single point for clocking in and searching.
The suspension bridge on Sizergh's estate | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor
Stage 10
Cross the suspension bridge and turn right. You have now entered the site of the old gunpowder works at Sizergh, and you'll pass two cottages which used to be the office where workers would clock in. Follow the minor road and you will come to an atmospheric building clad in ivy called the Sawmill and Watch house. Turn left to walk behind the ivy clad building to reach a track at the rear.
Remains of the gunpowder works at Sedgwick on Sizergh's estate. | © National Trust Images/James Dobson
Stage 11
Turn right on the track, and look for a footpath through woods on the left hand side. Follow the footpath to a wall which marks the corner of a field.
Stage 12
At the corner of the field you will find a gate which takes you into the Low Sizergh farm trail. Turn left to follow the farm trail, which is marked with small arrows up through the farm and a camping field.
Stage 13
At the camping field follow the track around and enter the farm yard at Low Sizergh farm, an organic dairy farm. Check the website for opening hours. The farm is also home to charity Growing Well, and there is a side trail to the north of the farm yard - it loops around the six-acres of organic fruit and vegetable being grown to support the local community.
Stage 14
Leaving the farm, turn left and follow the minor road alongside the hedge (with the A591 behind). At the bend in the road, you can take a shortcut path on the right hand side through woods.
Stage 15
Rejoining the road, turn right and pass through the road tunnel beneath the A591.
Stage 16
After passing through the road tunnel, walk along the country lane and turn right at the entry point into the Sizergh estate, which is marked by a large black sign. Follow the drive up to the Visitor Centre. At the cattle grid there is an option to turn left and walk alongside the top of the historic ha-ha, then rejoin the drive and enter the car park.
Sizergh's estate, garden and house, seen from above | © James Dobson
End point
Sizergh carpark, grid ref: SD498878
Trail map
Map of the route from Kendal to Sizergh along the river Kent. | © Dan Taylor
You made it
Share your experience

A courtyard with stone buildings on three sides. One side has crenellations and a solid square tower

Place

Place

Sizergh

Beautiful medieval house with rich gardens and estate

A sunny day at Jack Scout's cliffs at Arnside and Silverdale, Lancashire

Place

Place

Arnside and Silverdale

A place to explore miles of coastal countryside from clifftops to woodland and wildflower meadows.

The Boathouse Cafe at Fell Foot, Cumbria from Lake Windermere

Place

Place

Fell Foot

Lakeshore park with stunning mountain views, Boathouse cafe, watersports hire and play area

Sizergh, near Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8DZ

sizergh@nationaltrust.org.uk

Accessible gate on a path running through green grass and fields.

Article

Article

Exploring the estate at Sizergh

Connect with nature in Sizergh’s woodland, wetland and farmland. Find out about the wildlife you can spot while exploring this 1,600-acre estate.

Sign up to hear more from the National Trust

By sharing your email address you’re agreeing to receive marketing emails from the National Trust and confirm you’re 18 years old or over. Please see our for more information on how we look after your personal data.