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Engine Lonning: A city haven for all

Part of project: Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges

Engine Lonning is a 10.1 hectare semi-natural, council-owned Green Space on the south bank of the River Eden in Carlisle. It is mainly woodland with some grassland glades, but has a rich heritage and story to tell. The name hints at railways forming part of that story, and indeed it is the site of a former bustling rail yard and includes one end of the now-closed Carlisle Waverley Viaduct that crosses the river.

Before that the site included part of the 10-mile-long Carlisle Ship Canal – now infilled and part of the (wet) woodland. Its heritage dates back to the Roman era, encompassing the course of Hadrian’s Wall and its associated National Trail. A network of PRoW, permissive paths and informal trails criss-cross the woods.

Planned path improvements and new interpretation for the site will exist beyond the life of the four-year project allowing subsequent generations of local families to get to know and use the site. Events, capital work and volunteering activities undertaken during the project will focus on engaging long-term local beneficiaries, volunteers and project partners, working with Eden Rivers Trust (on rivers) and with Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust (on railway history and conservation).

Lead partners: Cumberland Council, Eden Rivers Trust, Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust.

Discovery Day Sunday 6th September 2026 - 12pm until 4pm

Join us at Engine Lonning, Carlisle, on Sunday 6th September from 12pm to 4pm, to celebrate the completion of our new 1km wheelchair accessible, circular trail.

Way-markers and installations around the site have been created by Chris Brammall, one of the UK's leading metalworkers. Exploring the trail, you'll find mosaics, stone and metalwork pieces celebrating the sites wild woodland and its rail and Roman history (pictured). 

There will be opportunities to take a guided tour to learn about the history of the 'Canal Shed' and the steam locomotives serviced, turned around and sent on their way; a railway turntable is now a centrepiece and seating area on the trail. You'll also meet some of the artisans who have created elements of the installations.

Younger explorers will be catered for with a chance to make their own mosaics, dress up as a Romans and join a woodland safari.

We're all very proud of what's been achieved at Engine Lonning and do hope that you can join us for an afternoon of FREE activities. Drop in for an hour or spend the afternoon with us as we celebrate the completion of the trail.

Join us at Engine Lonning, Carlisle, on Sunday 6th September from 12pm to 4pm, to celebrate the completion of our new 1km wheelchair accessible, circular trail.

Way-markers and installations around the site have been created by Chris Brammall, one of the UK's leading metalworkers. Exploring the trail, you'll find mosaics, stone and metalwork pieces celebrating the sites wild woodland and its rail and Roman history (pictured). 

There will be opportunities to take a guided tour to learn about the history of the 'Canal Shed' and the steam locomotives serviced, turned around and sent on their way; a railway turntable is now a centrepiece and seating area on the trail. You'll also meet some of the artisans who have created elements of the installations.

Younger explorers will be catered for with a chance to make their own mosaics, dress up as a Romans and join a woodland safari.

We're all very proud of what's been achieved at Engine Lonning and do hope that you can join us for an afternoon of FREE activities. Drop in for an hour or spend the afternoon with us as we celebrate the completion of the trail.

Discovery Day Leaflet; Read more
Roman coin-shaped picnic table by Chris Brammall
Wildlife mosaic by Helen Clues
Seating with inset steam locomotive names and numbers
  • Engine Lonning lies to the west of Carlisle City Centre, next to the River Eden. Parking is very limited. Please walk or travel by bus.
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    Grid reference: NY38365638
  • Toilets will be available during the Discovery Day. This is a wild space on the edge of the city.
  • U18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

The challenge, our approach and progress made

 

Challenge

Described by some local residents as “an oasis of calm on the edge of the city” and by others as, “a confusing unsafe space with very difficult access”.

Approach

We are working with project partners Cumberland Council and Carlisle Waverley Viaduct Trust to address perceptions through engagement with users and by addressing issues at the site such as rough, bad paths, steep areas without steps, broken steps, waterlogging on main track and limited parking.

Working with the community and landowner ,Cumberland Council who will be installing a new accessible path, rest places, signage and interpretation that will celebrate the natural, railway and Roman heritage of the site.

Over the four years of the project there will be a series of activities and events for families, young people and the local community to introduce, improve, enjoy and learn about the site. There will be resources and information online too.

Progress highlights last quarter: Apr 2026 - Jun 2026

  • A series of mosaic workshops were delivered at Newtown Methodist Church in Carlisle, engaging local residents of all ages; also attended by members of Heathlands Cumbria (supported day-time services for vulnerable adults), students studying at Beaumont College as well as St Bede’s, Bellevue and Newtown primary schools, engaging with 148 children.
  • We led a guided walk for nine members of Carlisle Natural History Society, who were interested in the site for its special flora and the project. During this, more Dune Helleborine was found around the trail, which is an anomaly in a woodland habitat and a ‘nod’ to the site’s industrial railway history.
  • We held six balsam bashing ‘Lend-a-Hand’ volunteer days (three in partnership with Cumberland Council), a corporate volunteer day with Natural England, 2 school days with Newtown Primary and Bellevue Primary, as well as a day with specialist SEND school Beaumont College. 
  • Bramble cutting (with bush-cutter trained volunteers) has proven valuable and allowed quick and easy access to clear these areas of dense balsam.
  • Illustrator, Arry Cairn has been commissioned to produce two trail leaflets (one ‘Romans to Rails’, and the other ‘Wild Woodlands’) and two school worksheets on those themes. 

Progress highlights to date: Apr 2024 - Mar 2026

  • A 'Hidden Histories' event was held to unveil plans for the new accessible discovery trail and designs from Chris Brammall CB Arts, Ulverston.
  • Additional 'Lend a Hand' days held to clear bramble and prepare site for accessible pathway
  • A summer Lend-a-Hand programme in place focussed on Balsam Bashing mid-week and weekends to enhance woodland habitat.
  • Chris Brammall, CB Arts, an experienced and skilled Cumbria-based metalworker, with an impressive record of delivering site-based interpretive installations bringing industrial heritage to life (across the UK) has been recruited to design and install interpretation pieces at the site.
  • Network Rail has kindly donated 50m of redundant rail for use in sculptural works on the site. CB Arts have collected (from Preston), ready for transforming it into interpretive waymarking and seating features.
  • Large sandstone blocks, used by Romans in ancient Carlisle have been donated by Cumberland Council for use within the project. CB Arts have selected some for use within the seating and interpretive features on the trail.
  • Helen Clues (Mosaic Artist) and Tony Crellin (Stone Carver) will create artistic interventions as part of discovery trail and will be involved in community engagement activities.
  • Cumberland Council have appointed contractors to create an accessible pathway around the site.  
  • A talk was delivered to Carlisle Natural History Society about the sites history and Access project plans.
  • Newtown Primary School pulled out all stops to bring the whole of class (30x 7-9 year olds) to Engine Lonning to join a mid-week ‘Lend a Hand Day’
  • Two Lend-a-Hand days were well supported by 18 individuals with a focus on revealing Canal Shed buildings: flooring, turntables and inspection pits.
  • Featured in an ITV Border Special Episode programme about the Waverley Line: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17XVCa32yv/
  • Hidden Histories drop-in event celebrated the site’s industrial railway heritage.
  • Forging connections with with Tullie House.
  • Work with Beaumont College (SEND).
  • Woodland learning programme with Newtown Primary School.
  • Community ‘Discovery Day’.
  • Welcomed volunteers of all ages to Engine Lonning Balsam Bashes.
  • Attended Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) summer programme.
  • The focus this summer has been the removal of Himalayan Balsam. Around 50% of the west of Engine Lonning was ‘bashed’ this year.  
  • ERT led volunteer sessions are now being attended by Cumberland Council Greenspace volunteers.
  • This year’s Discovery Day community event at Engine Lonning provided opportunities for the public to have a go at stone carving and mosaic making to interpret the history of the site, alongside other activities including railway history guided tours, wild play in the woods and a nature trail. We we delighted to welcome 130 people on the day.

Image gallery

  • Seating with inset steam locomotive names and numbers
  • Wildlife mosaic by Helen Clues
  • Roman coin-shaped picnic table by Chris Brammall
  • Three young people stood together on a gravel path holding replicas of roman shields and carrying toy swords.
    Young people dress as roman soldiers with wooden shields and toy swords at our 2025 Engine Lonning Discovery Day
  • Three people in blue high visibility jackets and gardening gloves and sunglasses posing for an image on a grassy pathway in front of trees in summer leaf.
    Balsam bashing volunteers at our 2025 Engine Lonning Discovery Day
  • A man dressed in roman costume sat behind a table covered in roman artefacts including pottery and helmets. Roman shields in red with gold decoration sit behind. All under an awning on green grass.
    Roman history display and demonstrations at our 2025 Engine Lonning Discovery Day
  • Two people being shown information on a board by a man dressed in British Rail uniform from the 1960's; consisting of dark blue overalls, dark blue jacket, red tie and blue railway cap.
    Railway history guided tours at our 2025 Engine Lonning Discovery Day
  • A bearded man in blue overalls sat at a table. Using a chisel and hammer to carve a design into a large piece of sandstone.
    Stone carving activities at our 2025 Engine Lonning Discovery Day
  • A person using face paints, adding an image to the cheek of another person. Both wearing Eden Rivers Trust pole shirts, baseball hats. Sat on grass in dappled sunlight.
    Face painting activities at our 2025 Engine Lonning Discovery Day
  • A young person at a table choosing coloured pieces of mosaic from a bowl to arrange on a colourful tile, creating artwork.
    Mosaic making activities at our 2025 Engine Lonning Discovery Day
  • Two people stood in a field of tall grasses and meadow flowers are examining the contents of butterfly nets used to collect insect species from the plants.
  • A group of ERT and Cumberland Council volunteers pose for a picture stood behind a large pile of uprooted Himalayan balsam.
  • A group of young people in a woodland setting posing for a photograph. Two young people in the foreground have fashioned hats from large leaves found in the woodland.
  • A group of four people are strolling down a gravel track through woodland on either side in dappled sunshine.
  • Tow young people in a woodland setting are sat on a wooden log. One is holding a large while tray filled with insect species collected from the woodland. The other has a clipboard and they are both engaged in identifying species using a hand held guide.
  • View down a gravel pathway through a fence constructed from gapped sections of wooden railway sleeper, bordered on each side by trees in summer leaf.
  • An ERT member of staff is stood at a table under an outdoor gazebo with two young children examining a large white plastic tray filled with water and examples of aquatic life found in nearby river Eden.
  • A wide meandering river with green fields and tree borders beyond. Oxeye daisies in foreground of image.
  • Aerial image of Eden Rivers Trust staff around a table, investigating the contents of a bucket containing samples of weed and aquatic life from nearby river Eden.

Access to Eden Doorstep Sites

Creating thriving natural spaces

Making improvements to the river environment at eight sites ‘on the doorstep’ of urban areas along the length of the river Eden.

Partners and Funders

This project is supported by the Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges partnership project led by Eden Rivers Trust with a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks also to the Garfield Weston Foundation and Penrith Town Council for their support during 2024 and to Network Rail for its generous donation of railway track used in the creation of sculptural works at the site.

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