Heritage Sites
We work closely with English Heritage, amenity groups and
local communities to promote the repair and improvement of
important heritage sites, particularly those in our ownership such
as Kendal Castle and Castle Howe.
Kendal Castle
The £0.3m Kendal Castle Centenary Project, undertaken in 1997
with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund, involved stone-work
conservation, landscaping and path improvements, and interpretation
both on site and at Kendal Museum. The council has worked closely
with the Kendal Castle Consultative Group and Friends of Kendal
Castle to undertake:
- a geophysical survey involving archaeologists from "Time
Team"
- an illustrated Guide Book (available at £2.95 in local shops
and Kendal Tourist Information Centre)
A new metal staircase providing safe access to Kendal Castle's
North West Tower was opened in April 2004.
Lancaster Canal
We are a member of the Lancaster Canal - Northern Reaches
Restoration Group (NRRG), a partnership of 9 organisations
committed to restoring the Lancaster Canal to Canal Head, Kendal.
This major scheme will bring very significant economic, heritage
and recreation benefits to Kendal , South Lakeland and Cumbria, as
well as the wider North West region.
The NRRG partners include:
- British Waterways
- Lancaster City Council
- The Waterways Trust
- Cumbria County Council
- Inland Waterways Association
- Lancashire County Council
- Lancaster Canal Trust
- Kendal Town Council
The opening of the new Ribble Link Canal at Preston in 2002
connected the Lancaster Canal to the national canal network for the
first time in its history. The restoration of the Northern Reaches
opens the prospect of canal boats cruising from "London to the
Lakes", with Kendal as the most northerly destination of the
English canal network.
The NRRG partners publish a quarterly newsletter and hold
regular public meetings.