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Kendal Gateway to The Lakes
Kendal Gateway to The Lakes
Kendal Gateway to The Lakes

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Kendal

Bustling Kendal is a major gateway town to the Lake District, its nickname of ‘Auld Grey Town’ due to the distinctive limestone used in so many of its buildings. Grey may be the dominant colour here, but there’s nothing sombre about it – its excellent restaurants, busy shopping district and creative arts centre a guarantee of vibrant life. Historically, this was a major wool producing centre – the famous ‘Kendal Green’ one of several Kendal cottons produced in the workshops that once occupied its many yards. But for most visitors, Kendal is synonymous with its famous mint cake, a staple of many a mountaineer’s backpack and important sustenance for Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on their Everest ascent in 1953.

Food & Drink in Kendal

No one blends the old and new as well as Kendal with its ancient buildings in which to buy exquisite handmade chocolates, or wander down on of the famous yards of Kendal. . There’s also a rapidly expanding, contemporary food scene here, with quirky bistros and cool cocktail bars offering charcuterie boards or a tasty craft gin.

Try one of the many cosy coffee shops – there’s one of the oldest coffee roasting and blending shops in the country here. Go shopping in one of the artisan bakeries, the farmers market or one of the nearby farm shops.

There are also superb delicatessens’ and a wealth of informal and friendly international restaurants to try, not to mention creative vegetarian food to tuck into, whilst overlooking the beautiful riverside. Or how about dining in an old brewery, complete with Vats bar and a Grain store restaurant? There are wonderful eclectic menus to choose from – and you also get to watch a show or gig before or after your meal. There are many gorgeous restaurants here, all in a relaxed setting offering the best seasonal and local ingredients. If fine dining is your thing, there’s a Two AA Rosette restaurant for a unique dining experience.

Some of the most exciting hand-brewed beers around, both in Kendal and the surrounding area, are to be tried here. From pubs set on a village green, to traditional pubs with a contemporary style, you’ll find the food is always wholesome and homecooked, try the salt marsh lamb with some locally grown veg, it’s delicious. Before you leave Kendal though, a slab of Kendal Mintcake packed in your suitcase is a must!

In the traditional Lakeland village of nearby Staveley, you’ll find the Mill Yard, which houses everything from a micro-brewery and a cookery school- to an artisan bakery and a family-friendly, riverside café, selling delicious snacks and homecooked lunches. Set within the heart of the village, you will find a traditional pub with roaring fires, offering a high-standard of food with a warm welcome. There’s also a riverside beer garden, to enjoy a pint on a warm summer day. You can’t leave Staveley without a visit to the nearby village of Ings, to sample a super friendly, little pub, with a vibrant atmosphere. The beer is brewed on site and the food is excellent.

Lyth Valley has to offer the best selection of high-quality pubs within a relatively small area. From the villages of Brigsteer, Crosthwaite and Underbarrow to Bowland Bridge and Winster, you will find delightful pubs all set either in the valley itself, or perched high above the valley, offering the most spectacular views. Lyth is a beautiful and peaceful walking area, set away from the crowds, so what better way to finish your hike, than finishing up in one of these gorgeous county pubs.

Culture & Heritage

Kendal’s origins date back to the 8th century, when the monastic settlement of Kirkland was established near a crossing point over the River Kent. William II, the third son of William the Conqueror, created the Barony of Kendal toward the end of the 11th century to secure his northern territories: the first castle, a wooden motte and bailey, was erected at Castle Howe but later replaced by stone-built Kendal Castle on the opposite side of the river.

This 13th-century castle was built to impress: six towers connected by a curtain wall atop a glacial hill and protected by a dry moat – it was clear the Normans meant business. In the late 14th century the Barony of Kendal and the castle passed into the hands of the Parr family, whose most famous member, Catherine, married Henry VIII in 1543 and managed to avoid the fate of several of her predecessors, outliving him by one year. By this stage, however, the family had abandoned the castle for more comfortable lodgings in Kendal proper and the castle fell into the disrepair you see today.

Medieval Kendal was built around a high street lined on both sides by alleyways known as burgage plots. Over time these plots became industrial ‘yards,’ full of workshops for weaving, dyeing, shearing, dry-salting and tanning. Kendal soon became a major centre for the wool trade, which explains its Latin motto – Pannus mihi panis – or ‘wool is my bread,’ and the tenter hooks on the Kendal coat-of-arms.

Many different woollen cloths were made in Kendal but the most famous is ‘Kendal Green', a hardwearing cloth said to have been worn by the Kendal Bowmen who fought at the battles of Crecy in 1346 and Poitiers in 1356. Shakespeare refers to ‘Kendal green' in Henry IV (Part I), so it was already well-known by 1597. The green colour was achieved by first steeping the cloth in a yellow dye from dyer’s greenweed (Genista tinctoria) and overdyeing it in blue from woad (Isatis tinctoria) or indigo. Kendal Green was later exported to America where it was worn by slaves working in the plantations. In return, Kendal would receive sugar and tobacco – raw materials that gave rise to the mint cake and snuff-making trade in town.

Kendal was linked to the canal network in 1819, which did wonders for trade and brought renewed prosperity to the town. This all ended with the arrival of the railroad in 1846 and both trade and the canal went into gradual decline: commercial traffic ceased in 1947 and the canal closed to all navigation in 1955.

For more information about Kendal, take a look at the Visit Kendal website.

Surrounding Areas

Staveley - The bustling village of Staveley nestles at the foot of the secluded Kentmere Valley. Its history shaped by two rivers: the fast-flowing river Kent and the smaller river Gowan. An area of rolling countryside interspersed with valleys, woods, hedges and drystone walls.

Lyth Valley - This hidden corner of Cumbria is famed for its damsons. In early spring, frothy clouds of white blossom greet the onlooker at every turn - a snowy spectacle marked by Damson Day in mid-April. This hugely popular event brings together local producers, growers and various craftspeople in celebration of the humble damson.

Sizergh - Sizergh Castle contains some of the finest Elizabethan carved overmantels in the country, 14thC solar tower with original fireplaces, floors and windows. The 15thC great hall and other later additions contain English and French furniture, silver, china and Jacobite relics.

Oxenholme - This railway station is the gateway to the South Lakes. Kendal Town is only a short 10 minute walk from the station, whilst Trans-Penine trains also run services to Burneside, Staveley and Windermere. Placed on the West coast mainline, the station is serviced well from Glasgow and London.

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Kendal - Gateway to The Lakes

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Raise Beck Falls

Address

Thirlmere

website@cumbriatourism.org

Coming over Dunmail Raise falls can be viewed from road to right. On the side of Willie Wife Moor.

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Catch Your Breath: The Secret Life Of A Sleepless Anaesthetist

Address

Brewery Arts, 122A Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4HE

Telephone
01539 725133

boxoffice@breweryarts.co.uk

Kendal

Starts 8pm | Tickets £17 | Malt Room Seated | Age Guidance 16+
NHS anaesthetist, comedian and author (oooooh check him) Ed Patrick injects Brewery Arts with a gut-punch hilarious show about becoming a junior doctor, the NHS, the pitfalls of…

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Stainton Wines

Address

Stainton Wines, 1 Station Rd, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6BT

Telephone
01539 731886

admin@stainton-wines.co.uk

Kendal

Feisty, independent, opinionated and honest are the best way to sum us up. For over thirty years, our overriding quest has been to source, import and sell the most characterful and interesting wines at every price point.

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Tom Stade: Risky Business

Address

Brewery Arts, 122A Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4HE

Telephone
01539 725133

boxoffice@breweryarts.co.uk

Kendal

Starts 8pm | Tickets £22.50 | Theatre | Age Guidance 16+
Tickets for this event go on sale on the 19 April
Direct from the Edinburgh festival, and his latest smash-hit nationwide tour, the legendary Canadian stand-up star is back on the road with…

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Alexander's Pub at Castle Green Hotel

Address

The Castle Green Hotel in Kendal, Castle Green Lane, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6RG

Telephone
01539 734000

reception@castlegreen.co.uk

Kendal

Alexander’s Pub at Castle Green Hotel is a charming and inviting establishment nestled within the beautiful surroundings of Castle Green’s historic grounds. With its warm and cosy atmosphere, this pub exudes a sense of comfort and relaxation.

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Creative Assembly

Address

Unit 10, Castle Mills, Aynam Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7DE

Telephone
+447873231615

info@outsideofordinary.co.uk

Aynam Road, Kendal

Creative Assembly is dedicated to creativity, outdoor culture and the future.
The brainchild of Outside of Ordinary, a specialist creative agency committed to building authentic active and outdoor brands that connect better to people and planet,…

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One Day Intro to Stained Glass

Address

Friends Meeting House, stramongate, kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4BH

Telephone
01539 722975

nancy@quaker-tapestry.co.uk

kendal

On this one-day course, you will learn the basic skills of stained glass – choosing from a tutor template or creating their own simple design. The panel can be all glass, or incorporate a mirror if desired. Learn to choose and cut glass shapes, and…

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Galleny Force

Address

Stonethwaite, Borrowdale Valley, Keswick, CA12 5XG

website@cumbriatourism.org

Borrowdale Valley

Also know as Fairy Glen. Nr Stonethwaite. Collection of quite large pools and small falls, some wooded areas alongside the river.

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Kendal Mint Cake - George Romney Ltd

Address

George Romney Ltd (Kendal Mint Cake), Mintsfeet Rd N, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6NA

Telephone
01539 720155

sales@kendal.mintcake.co.uk

Kendal

Romney's World Famous Kendal Mint Cake - powering adventures since 1918! The Original Energy Bar ⚡️ Summited Mount Everest in 1953 🏔 Award Winning 4th generation Family Business🏆

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Lake District Ultra Challenge

Address

Kendal Rugby Club, Shap Rd, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6NY

Telephone
02076096695

neil.munro@actionchallenge.com

Kendal

I wanted to get in touch to inform you of our annual Lake District Ultra Challenge on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June 2025. This will be the 5th year of the event and will follow a similar format to 2024. The event route is comprised of a looped…

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Kendal Museum

Address

Kendal Museum, Station Rd, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6BT

Telephone
01539 815597

info@kendal.ac.uk

Kendal

Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter. The Museum has a long history in Kendal Town and has occupied various sites but has been at its current location (previously a wool warehouse) since 1913.

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Scale Force

Address

Buttermere, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9XA

website@cumbriatourism.org

Cockermouth

At 172 ft the highest fall in Lakeland. Hidden in tree-lined cleft. 2.5 miles from Buttermere car park - follow signs to fall. Care need in scrambling to foot of fall.

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The Wild Boar Inn, Grill & Smokehouse

Address

The Wild Boar | Bar, Restaurant & Hotel, Crook Rd, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3NF

Telephone
015394 45225

reservations.wildboar@englishlakes.co.uk

Windermere

The Wild Boar is a special venue for any occasion, whether it be a romantic or adventurous break, family get-together, business meeting or as one of our very valued frequent diners.

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Brewery Tours at Bowness Bay Brewing

Address

Bowness Bay Brewing Ltd, Unit 10, Castle Mills, Aynam Rd, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7DE

Telephone
07796089829

marketing@bownessbaybrewing.co.uk

Aynam Rd, Kendal

Join Bowness Bay Brewing in Kendal for a brewery adventure! Immerse yourself in the magic of crafting exceptional craft beer and taste some of our delicious brews. Book now!

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Talisk

Address

Brewery Arts, Brewery Arts, 122A Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4HE

Telephone
01539 725133

boxoffice@breweryarts.co.uk

122A Highgate, Kendal

Doors 8pm | Tickets £19 | Malt Room Standing
One of the most talked-about folk bands of the 21st century, Talisk have been tearing apart stereotypes and redefining the genre for almost a decade. With over 15 million streams, 10,000 albums sold…

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Sourmilk Ghyll

Address

Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9SX

website@cumbriatourism.org

Ambleside

Pools and falls cascading from Easedale Tarn. Mountain scenery. About 1 mile walk from the nearest road and car park. Take road to left after Heaton Cooper studio (Easedale Road).

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Penningtons Tea & Coffee Ltd

Address

Unit 12 Kendal Business Park, Appleby Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6EW

Telephone
015398 28090

sales@penningtonscoffee.co.uk

Kendal

Penningtons are an award-winning Local family owned and run company based in the market town of Kendal. At our roastery, we hand roast specially selected speciality coffees from around the world to craft the finest coffees and teas.

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LYR

Address

Brewery Arts, Brewery Arts, 122A Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4HE

Telephone
01539 725133

boxoffice@breweryarts.co.uk

122A Highgate, Kendal

Doors 7.30pm | Tickets £21 | Theatre
LYR is author and current British poet laureate Simon Armitage, singer-songwriter Richard Walters and multi-instrumentalist & producer Patrick Pearson.
LYR's story stretches back to 2009 when Walters, an…

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Steeleye Span

Address

Brewery Arts, 122A Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4HE

Telephone
01539 725133

boxoffice@breweryarts.co.uk

Kendal

Doors 7.30pm | Tickets £35 | Theatre
Together for fifty five years now, Steeleye Span changed the face of folk music forever by taking it into the world of gold discs and international tours. New album the Green Man Collection brings together…

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Couched/Laid Bayeux Embroidery Workshop

Address

Friends Meeting House, stramongate, kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4BH

Telephone
01539 722975

info@quaker-tapestry.co.uk

kendal

Often known as Bayeux stitch, laid and couched work was used all over Europe throughout the middle ages, often for very large pieces of embroidery/ Learn this fun easy technique using naturally dyed wool. There will be a choice of simple designs on…

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