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Kendal Mint CakeKendal Mint Cake is known for its high-energy giving qualities and is much in demand by outdoor explorers. The ‘cake' is essentially made of sugar, with peppermint flavouring and other ‘secret' ingredients. Kendal Mint Cake was taken to the Antarctic by Sir Ernest Shackleton on his expedition of 1914 and to the summit of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953.- Kendal MuseumOne of the oldest museums in the UK with fascinating displays on the natural history, geology and archaeology of the Kendal area. Follow a nature trail through wildlife dioramas of the Lake District, marvel at the huge range of minerals that can be found in the Lake District and northern England, and discover what life was like in medieval Kendal Castle.
- Kendal CastleBuilt around 1200, the castle was a home and administrative centre for the barons of Kendal. The Parr family held the barony in the mid-15th century but after 1483 it slowly fell into ruins. Today, only parts of the castle wall and a tower survive above ground, with two vaulted cellars under the Hall Block. An interactive display on the castle and its occupants can be seen at Kendal Museum.
- George Romney (1734–1802)Well-known English portrait painter of the 18th century, who was born at Dalton-in-Furness but served his apprenticeship in Kendal. He lived at what is now called Romney House on Milnthorpe Road before moving to London in 1762. Romney’s great skill was in his ability to ‘capture a likeness’ – a much sought-after quality by the merchant classes of the time. One of his favourite models was Emma Hart – later Nelson’s mistress, Lady Hamilton.
- Postman PatThe Postman Pat series of children’s books were created by John Cunliffe who lived in Kendal. Postman Pat’s adventures were based in nearby Kentmere and Longsleddale with the post office modelled on the one at Greenside in Kendal. A plaque on the side of the building that was once this sub-post office and you can also see a model of Postman Pat standing outside, next to the postbox!
- Kendal GreenMany 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 - A Festival TownKendal is more than a market town on the edge of the Lakes, there’s always events and festivals taking place in Kendal – whatever the weather.
- Quaker Tapestry MuseumA stunning collection of tapestry created over 15 years and illustrating the history of Quakerism from the 17th century right through to today.
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