Tewitfield |
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Just north of Capernwray Bridge is the Keer Aqueduct. Like that of the Lune this was designed by John Rennie. It has a span of 43 feet (13m) and carries the canal 35 feet (11m) above the River Keer. Beyond is Capernwray Canal Arm known locally as Lover's Creek. This took barges into the heart of Webber Quarry, where they were loaded with limestone. A narrow gauge railway ran around the site, which had quarry workers houses called 'New England'. The remains of the loading cranes can be seen close to the caravan site.
As the canal approaches its terminus, it passes Borwick Hall, an Elizabethan manor house Built around a defensive Peel tower. Charles II stayed here in 1651 when his army camped in a nearby field.
Close to Bridge 138, the last Bridge on the cruising length, is Tewitfield picnic site and mooring. A little further is Tewitfield terminus. The canal ended here until 1819 and in 1968, with the building of the M6, it again became the terminus. Tewitfield has visitor moorings, sanitary station, pub and nearby campsite. North of the terminus on the other side of the road blockage, are the eight disused Tewitfield Locks. North of Saltmire Bridge at Cinderbarrow is the first place where the canal is culverted under the M6.
Lock 5  |
M6 form Lock 6  |
Lock 8  |
From Lock 8  |
Tewitfield Locks: The 8 locks lift the canal 75 feet over a distance of three-quarters of a mile. They are the only locks on the 57 mile main line and were not opened until the canal was extended to Kendal in 1819, 20 years after the Preston to Tewitfield section was opened.
When the express passenger boats arrived at the foot of the locks, the passenger had to disembark, walk up the locks and get into another 'packet' boat waiting at the top of the locks to continue their journey. This enabled the horse drawn boats to maintain their average speed of 10 miles per hour. The locks were officially closed in 1968 when the M6 was constructed, but had been disused for several years.