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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 fortified alleyways known as burgage plots, where the local populace would take shelter during the inevitable raids by Scottish raiders known as Border Reivers. 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
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Kendal
Art Explorers is a creative art and craft class for young people in the home education community. The class is a great way to expand participants' imaginations, develop new skills and experiment with lots of different materials and techniques.
Tue…
Kendal
Doors 7.30pm | Tickets £14 | Malt Room Seated
Recognised as a purveyor of dreamier pop with folky leanings, Brigid Mae Power is set to release her new album this summer. 'Dream From The Deep Well' is a departure; a unique marriage of traditional…
Kendal
Starts 11am and 2pm | Tickets £13.50 | Theatre | Age Guidance 2+ yrs
Nick Cope has been writing and recording his beautiful and unique songs for children and their families for over 10 years, he performs with his guitar and animations to sell-out…
Kendal
Tickets £27 | Theatre
With 2023 marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic album Live Dates, this is a rare opportunity to hear the legendary Wishbone Ash performing their biggest-selling album in its entirety. The band will also perform songs from…
Stramongate, Kendal
This fun and absorbing new workshop offers a fantastic introduction to sugar work; making beautiful sugar flowers perfect for a homemade wedding or special birthday cake.
The class is suitable for beginners who have never worked with sugar…
Kendal
California-born but now based in Manchester, Jesca Hoop is a musician's musician. Discovered by Tom Waits, and brought on tour by Peter Gabriel to sing in his band, it was a phone call from Elbow's Guy Garvey that saw her move to the UK.
Order of…
Kendal
From the Brigsteer Road west of Kendal. Hire a bike or hike from Kendal - parking is limited.
Kendal
Doors 7.30pm | Tickets £23 | Malt Room Standing
Selling out at venues all over the world, Clearwater Creedence Revival feature road-hardened players who, collectively have performed with – Stax legend Steve Cropper, Big Country, Denny Laine (Wings,…
Kendal
Alexander's Pub at Castle Green is currently closed until further notice.
Kendal
DAY HIKES: Hire your own qualified and experienced walking guide to look after you and your party: stay safe, take the best routes, and never miss a great view or hidden gem. Guided days are from £160 per party.
WALKING HOLIDAYS: Skyline offers…
Kendal
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions and remarkable people....made by 4,000 people. Facilities: Gift Shop, Cafe, Audio guides, Films, Interactive Displays, Children's Activities.
Kendal
Thu 27 Apr to Thu 13 Jul | 7-9pm | £75 (10 wks)| 15-19 yrs
Brewery Arts' flagship youth theatre company, Brewery Youth Theatre is perfect for young people who are passionate about theatre and performing, committed to productions, and looking to…
Our private activity sessions include ghyll scrambling, canyoning, abseiling, climbing, canoeing, kayaking, SUP boarding, archery, team building, raft building, bushcraft, and hill walking. We offer private group bookings in South Lakes Cumbria,…
Staveley, Kendal
Transform and recycle subtle coloured pieces of Sea glass into jewellery that is perfect for summer. On this workshop you will learn to use a range of tools and develop jewellery making skills, working with sterling silver alongside your sea glass,…
Kendal
Stage on Screen | (12A) | 205 minutes
The Sleeping Beauty holds a very special place in The Royal Ballet's heart and history. It was the first performance given by the Company when the Royal Opera House reopened at Covent Garden in 1946 after World…
Kendal
Tickets £22.50 | Malt Room Standing
Combining global music, reggae, fusion and punk influences, Jah Wobble has entranced the world with his hypnotic bass riffs for over four decades and has become one of Britain's most influential and distinct bass…
Kendal
Tickets £25 | Extended Theatre | Age Guidance 14+
Jason Byrne is returning to Brewery Arts following a sell-out performance at the venue in 2022, this time with brand-new material for The Ironic Bionic Man.
"We can rebuild him! Jason is,…
Kendal
Cinema | (12A) | 79 minutes
Berg follows the stories of the stones, rocks and peaks of a vast mountain landscape.
Stark black and white images and a minimalistic ambient soundtrack draw the viewer into a vibrant, cinematic experience. Just…
Kendal
Cinema | (15) | 165 minutes
For one night only, Roger Waters, the creative force behind the golden years of Pink Floyd, presents his first Farewell Tour, "This Is Not A Drill", Live from Prague, in cinemas around the world. This cinematic…
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.
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL