Serpentine Trails Launched

Community groups and volunteers have been working together, with support from Kendal Town Council, to restore two family walking trails at Serpentine Woods. The Alphabet Trail and Nature Trail, both of which have histories spanning several decades, have been refurbished and were officially opened by Kendal Town Mayor, Councillor Julia Dunlop on Saturday 25th November.

The newly restored trails are accompanied by two map leaflets, one for each trail, which are available free of charge from Kendal Library and Kendal Town Hall reception. The map leaflets are also available online via Visit Kendal (https://visit-kendal.co.uk/plan-your-visit/visitor-guide/). In addition to including maps of the trails, each includes clues and points of interest to look out for along the trails, as well as beautiful nature-inspired illustrations.

Councillor Dunlop said: “The newly refurbished Alphabet and Nature Trails are a fabulous asset to Kendal, and it’s wonderful to see families exploring and enjoying the woods together. The new leaflets are works of art and I’d like to encourage people of any age to use them to discover the trails.”

Councillor Eamonn Hennessy, Chair of Kendal Town Council’s Environment Committee, said: “We are really pleased to support this initiative which offers a fun and engaging way for children to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors here in Kendal. We are grateful to Fellside Forum and Kendal Conservation Volunteers for all their hard work on the project, and to the creators of the original trails whose support has been invaluable in updating the trails for generations to come.”

Jane Willis, one of the volunteers who has been instrumental in ensuring the continuation of the Alphabet Trail over the past 30 years said: “Many people knew about the Alphabet Sculpture Trail in Serpentine Woods in Kendal. Did you ever wonder what the old white posts in the woods were? They marked the route of a former Nature Trail from the 1960s. Storm Arwen in 2021 led us to rethink this old Nature Trail and explore its potential. It now has a clearly signed network of little paths with stopping points that showcase different aspects of the woodland. And there is an attractive map with things to look out for at each numbered post. I really enjoyed being in the team that helped to design this new Nature Trail leaflet and make it more interactive and fun to follow. Try the new Trail for yourselves and enjoy new insights!”

The trails are suitable for all ages, with the Alphabet Trail weaving through the woodland in a circular 1.2 mile walk, and the Nature Trail being slightly less than a mile. Take care on the paths – some are steep and may be slippery if wet.

· Free trail map leaflets are available at Kendal Town Hall and Kendal Library or online via Visit Kendal here.