Acton: Canal History, Lake and Paths

Acton combines canal history, a waterside landscape and historic buildings with several routes of particular character. Anyone looking for a combination of nature, culture and activity during a trip will find various points of interest here: Sluicekeeper’s Cottage is operated as an interpretation centre, Acton Lake is also known as Lough Shark, and the area is home to notable landmarks from several centuries.

Water and Paths Around Acton

The Newry Canal Way is a 20-mile long-distance route from Portadown to Newry. It follows the restored towpath of the former Newry Canal. This towpath forms part of National Cycle Network Route 9 and is shared by pedestrians and cyclists. This allows trip planning to be tailored to the preferred mode of transport: the historic canal area can be explored on foot or by bicycle, without the two interests having to be considered separately.

Acton Lake, known as Lough Shark, is also part of the local landscape. It is regarded as a refuge for wildlife. Its present extent is connected with the history of the canal, as the construction of the canal led to the expansion of Acton Lake. Anyone who values a trip focused on both landscape and history when choosing holiday accommodation can combine these two aspects in Acton.

The Guidego app offers another way to explore the area. It provides a GIS tour with information and photographs about the history of the Newry Canal. For families and other travellers who enjoy understanding historical connections through specific places, the digital tour can offer an additional way to engage with the development of the canal area.

Pilgrimage Routes and the Acton Visitor Centre

The North South Way Peace Camino route passes the Acton Visitor Centre and Lough Shark. The Acton Visitor Centre is also an important stop on Saint Patrick’s Way.

Historic Buildings in the Area

Acton’s cultural heritage includes Acton Parish Church. It is listed as a Category B building. Its tower bears a Georgian memento mori sundial by Thomas McCreash dating from 1819. The church at the entrance to the village of Poyntzpass was built in 1789, replacing an earlier church commissioned by Sir Toby Poyntz in 1684. These dates give the local history several layers of time that can be taken into account during a culturally focused stay.

Other historic points of interest include the Mill and Acton School. The Mill is the largest building in the village of Acton and was built around 1835. Acton School dates from 1819. Together with the church and the facilities along the canal, they create a picture of Acton that is not limited to a single attraction.

Acton as a Base for Your Trip

When looking for holiday accommodation in Acton, you can consider which focus should shape your days: paths along the former canal, the landscape around Lough Shark, pilgrimage and peace routes, or the historic buildings in the area. Sluicekeeper’s Cottage is open from Easter to Halloween on most weekends from 11:00 to 16:00, adding to the thematic orientation available locally. For further trip planning, you can also consider Kilmore and Armagh.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Armagh.