Sedgwick Aqueduct and Village

Sedgwick Aqueduct and Village

Highlight • Historical Site

Sedgwick Aqueduct and Village

Hiking

4.8

(21)

Road cycling

5.0

(9)

Cycling

5.0

(1)

Save Share

Location: Sedgwick, South Lakeland, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Tips

May 31, 2023

Hiking

There is an old aqueduct in Sedgwick, which the Lancaster Canal Trail takes you through. If you wish to take the time to explore, the residents of Sedgwick have very helpfully put together a selection of walks and information about the village. This can be found at the bottom of the steps of the aqueduct (bridge) or below

Walks:
sedgwickparishcouncil.org.uk/uploads/1/1/7/5/117598396/sedgwick_village_walk_leaflet_v_2019_final.pdf

History:
sedgwickparishcouncil.org.uk/history.html

Alice Baddeley

December 12, 2023

Road cycling

Constructed in 1818 by William Crosley based on the original designs by John Rennie, the Sedgwick Aqueduct serves the purpose of carrying the elevated segment of the Lancaster Kendal Canal over the road connecting Sedgwick and Natland.

It stands out as an uncommon example of a skewed bridge, a change from the conventional perpendicular orientation of most canal bridges to the roads they cross.

This design innovation eliminates the need for a bend in the road. To maintain structural integrity, a winding arrangement of stones was employed, achieving the smallest span possible.

Charlie Cosh

April 23, 2024

Hiking

Sedgwick Aqueduct was built in 1818 to carry the elevated section of the Lancaster Kendal Canal over the road between Sedgwick and Natland. It is an unusual example of a skewed bridge - most canal bridges were at right angles to the road that they cross, to simplify design and minimise materials used. A skew bridge avoids the need to put a bend in the road and was state of the art in bridge building at the time. To avoid weakness across the bridge a winding course of stones was used, which, at the same time, created the smallest span.