Sedgwick Canal Wildlife Area

The peaceful and tranquil haven for wildlife is a much loved and much used village amenity 

The former Lancaster-Kendal Canal bisects the village and since April 1980, the Parish Council have owned and maintained the section of the canal located to the east of Sedgwick Aqueduct, transforming it into a much-loved wildlife area with woodland and wetland habitats.  The area includes a length of 450m of the dewatered canal, the towpath and 3.2 acres of mixed woodland and wetland. The canal towpath is a Public Right of Way and is part of the Lancaster to Kendal Towpath Footpath. There is an original milepost on the eastern bank.
 
The Canal was originally completed in 1819 when it linked Kendal to Preston. Following its demise and closure, it was de-watered in 1956 and was in District Council ownership when it became derelict, being used as an unsightly refuse tip.
In the 1960's a group of residents campaigned to bring about improvements and restore the area. 

From taking ownership in 1980,  the village has developed a clear vision for the area:

• to maintain the area as a natural conservation area which acts as a haven for wildlife and a tranquil, safe and quiet place to be enjoyed by residents and visitors​
• to respect and celebrate the built heritage of the canal
• to keep the area as natural as possible whilst protecting fauna and flora and the features left by the canal's legacy 
• to protect the area as a safe and peaceful place to walk​

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Over the past 40 years, dedicated volunteers from the village have worked hard to reclaim, improve and maintain the area. Several small grants and practical support from local organisations have helped with this work, but the majority of work has fallen to local residents and has been financed by the Parish Council with their limited funds. Since 2015, woodland has been managed to open up the herbacious lower layers of the eco-system and the flora and fauna have taken full advantage of this, making the habitat more diverse and beautiful than ever.
​        The wildlife area includes the elevated and narrow section of the former canal towpath; we maintain the "easy" access path and surface of the towpath to make the area as accessible as possible. ​

Remember the Wildlife Area Code

Please help us protect animals and plants
Please take your litter home
Please respect other users
Please take care accessing the path by the Aqueduct steps and steep and gentle paths
Please take extra care in windy weather
Please keep dogs under control at all times and do not allow them to foul the path or verges; If you fail to clean up after your dog, you could be liable for an initial fixed penalty of £75. Persistent offenders will be taken to court and face a fine of up to £1,000.  
Please follow the countryside code 

​This is a footpath and cyclists are not permitted to use the towpath

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To find more about the Canal please follow the links

Canal History

Canal wildlife

The Parish Council manage and maintain the area as a village amenity where people can enjoy nature and walk in safety. The Council have devised a Woodland Management Strategy which incorporates a Risk Management Strategy and a Canal Management Plan – if you require more information please contact the clerk.

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