ONE of South Lakeland’s most historic sites is being made more accessible to visitors thanks to new grant funding.

Improvements at Kendal Castle will include resurfaced pathways, new information boards and safer access from the town centre.

The work at the castle is being carried out thanks to a grant award from South Lakeland District Council’s (SLDC’s) Environmental Partnership Fund.

The funding scheme, which supports public realm improvements in towns and villages in the district, has just paid out nearly £75,000 to help organisations with projects ranging from repairs to a market square obelisk in Duddon and new toilets at a public park in Windermere to refurbishment of benches in Levens.

Kendal Town Council applied for the grant from the Environmental Partnership Fund for the work at Kendal Castle.

Project manager Helen Moriarty, said: “Kendal Town Council are thrilled to have the support of the Environmental Partnership Fund to improve the access to and interpretation of Kendal Castle.

“We look forward to re-telling the castle’s history and improving signage to present it as one of Kendal’s treasured historic sites.

“With improved access from Parr Street, and the launch of Kendal’s Historic Trail, this funding enables more people to explore and enjoy Kendal Castle.”

The three-year Environmental Partnership Fund is designed to encourage and increase trading and business activity in towns and villages in South Lakeland through quality enhancement projects, stimulating business and consumer confidence and helping to preserve and enhance the district’s character.

In the latest round of funding, which covers the period 2014-2016/7, £74,967 funding has been awarded by SLDC. The total amount of match-funding sourced by applicants for all approved projects for the period was £82,983, meaning a total investment in the projects of £157,950.

As well as the work at Kendal Castle, other successful projects in this round of funding include:

L Duddon Parish Council – For repairs to the obelisk in the market square at Dalton.

L Kendal Business Improvement District – ‘Cleaner, Greener Kendal’ project to include 20 new bike boxes to be located in various locations around the town centre - and three new bus shelters as part of a park-and-ride scheme in partnership with North Country Leisure.

L Levens Village Hall - refurbishment of village benches in various locations around the village.

L North Country Leisure, Windermere – New mulit-use building to replace old shed with toilet facilities, as part of the Millerground Enhancement project

L Sedbergh - re-painting of Queen’s Park gates.

L Sedgwick Parish Council - remedial work on the Sedgwick section of the Lancaster Canal.

L SLDC Ambleside, Waterhead Promenade - Improved planting; replacing and upgrading of bins and installation of new fingerpost sign to assist visitors arriving by boat.

L Stainton Institute - new signage and external door.

L Stainton Parish Council - Millennium Cross area refurbishment to improve the image of the entrance to the village Village and the approach to Kendal along the A65.

L Windermere Town Council – renovation and improvement of traffic island at Ellerthwaite Square, with new planting scheme and re-build of dry stone wall to create an attractive entrance to Windermere.