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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.
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.
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
Number of results: 154
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Kendal
Learn a traditional rural craft and make your own timeless round basket with a handle. A course for anyone who likes to use their hands, enjoys the smell and creaking of willow as they work on their woven basket and wants the satisfaction of…
Nr Kendal
Quad Biking 16yrs+ and 4x4 off Road driving. Available as one hour sessions or with full and part day packages
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
66 reviewsKendal
A stunning Elizabethan mansion with spectacular interiors and impressive collections of antiques. Also home to the world's oldest topiary gardens, designed by Guillaume Beaumont, retain many original features. Cafe, Gift Shop and Plant Centre.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
706 reviewsKeswick
Thunderous cascades on the Western flanks of the Dodds, near St John's in the Vale and Thirlmere.
Kendal
Wrap up warm and join our expert Ranger Rob for a chance to spot a hawfinch at first light. Hawfinches spend most of their time in the tops of trees and tend to disappear from May onwards, so don't miss your chance to catch a glimpse of one in…
Kendal
F54 Proudly Present:
THE ZOMBIES
Celebrating 60 Years on Tape
KENDAL
Sizergh Caravan and Camping, is a small family run site ,based on an organic dairy farm with an award winning farm shop and cafe.We are with in easy reach of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.
Pitch up,relax and enjoy our…
Kendal
Cinema | (12A) | 109 minutes
Romantics, dreamers, and thinkers will be captivated by this story of transformation, hope, and love.
Based on the award-winning memoir, Surprised by Oxford is the incredible true story of Caro Drake, a young,…
Kendal
Since their inception in 1984, The Men They Couldn't Hang have been a driving force in the folk-punk scene, captivating audiences with their electrifying performances and socially conscious songwriting. Emerging from the Shepherd's Bush squatting…
Kendal
Introducing our special edition 20cl bottle of Damson Yan Gin, crafted in collaboration with Cumbria Tourism's 50th Anniversary Charitable Fund. This delightful gin offers a unique fusion of flavours, perfect for those looking to indulge in a truly…
Kendal
Inspired by grasses, cow parsley, poppies and much more, on this workshop you can create your own bunch of wire seed heads to display in a vase. You will learn to handle different gauges of wire to create a variety of wire drawings using leaves,…
Kendal
Theresa Taylor is an artist based in Lancaster, at the edge of the Bowland Fells.
She works out of her studio and is a member of Artlab Contemporary Print Studios, University of Central Lancashire, where she completed her MA in 2015. Theresa is…
Kendal
Multi award winning local ice cream producer based in Kendal, creating and manufacturing a stunning range of handcrafted classic and luxury ice creams, sorbets and vegan ice creams for nearly 30 years. Using only the very best, quality ingredients…
Windermere
This robust offering includes a range of miniature mighty flavoursome savoury delights and, of course, our notorious pork scratchings with homemade Bramley Apple Sauce.
Nr Kendal
Archery 8yrs+ Axe throwing 12yrs+ and Crossbow 12yrs+. Book as single activities or as part of our part day and full day packages. Couples and groups bookings available.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
66 reviewsAmbleside
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).
Kendal
Situated on a 200-acre estate, in a beautiful location and surrounded by fields and woodland, Shaw End Mansions 4 stylish and spacious Georgian apartments with open fireplaces, provide an excellent holiday base.
Staveley
Delightful village inn, riverside location with friendly family welcome, offering excellent cosy accommodation. Local produce of superb real ales.
Kendal
Known nationally as a centre for world-class theatre, music, art and events, the Brewery has a 450 capacity music venue, three cinemas, two visual arts galleries, drama studio, darkroom facilities, meeting rooms, great restaurant/cafe/bar.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
468 reviewsKendal
Tickets £28 | Age Guidance 14 + | Theatre
Solo again, Britain's most celebrated clairvoyant medium psychic from Peter Kay's 'Phoenix Nights' returns with his brand new hilarious one-man stand up show.
As well as venturing into the audience to…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL