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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
Number of results: 183
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Kendal
Film | (18) | 118 minutes
Joint is about Takeshi who returns to Tokyo after serving two years in prison. He aims to go straight, but in order to do so, he must first dive back into the criminal world to earn money. Catching up with his past yakuza…
Kendal
| Tickets £12 | Theatre | Age Guidance 3-10 yrs
Making bread is hard work, but it would be a lot easier if the lazy farmyard animals got off their reclining sofas and lent a hand! Join our plucky little hen as she finds her own way to get stuff done…
Kendal
Stage on Screen | (12A) | 200 minutes
In the court of Princess Turandot, suitors who fail to solve her riddles are brutally killed. But when a mysterious Prince answers one correctly, suddenly he holds all the power – and a glorious secret. When…
Borrowdale Valley
Also know as Fairy Glen. Nr Stonethwaite. Collection of quite large pools and small falls, some wooded areas alongside the river.
Kendal
Verbalise Live and on Zoom | Sat 29 Apr | Doors 7.30pm | Warehouse £6 | Zoom £3.50
Join us in the Warehouse on Zoom for our spoken word and open mic night, Verbalise. We will be joined by a very special guest Ann Grant. Attendees can choose to take…
Ambleside
Great Langdale waterfall, high up on mountainside, on Whorneyside Fell.
Levens
Free entry
Free goody bags
Local suppliers to the wedding industry
Free Prosecco on arrival
Kendal
10 wide floodlit covered bays with large Astroturf mats
Kendal
This warm and friendly cottage for 2 has wonderful views over the Lyth Valley. An excellent place in which to chill out and relax.
Kendal
Located in the South Lakes, our hotel is furnished to 5-star standard with the Brettargh Suite for ceremonies and smaller functions, and a spectacular purpose-built marquee pavilion for all occasions.
Kendal
Statics and Lodges are an excellent alternative for a holiday in the Lake District or wider Cumbria region. We have statics and lodges situated on farms and golf courses, some of which benefit from hot tubs too!
Kendal
Come and join us for our Wedding Showcase, where you will have a preview of our stunning ceremony and reception spaces decorated as a Wedding.
Friday 24th February 2023
5pm - 8pm
To book your appointment, email Weddings@castlegreen.co…
Staveley, Kendal
Join us for a fun and relaxing day learning the art of mosaic. Create a colourful or your own mosaic tray. Learn about different materials and how to use mosaic tools, with lots of tips on design and pattern. Treat yourself to a great day out and…
Kendal
BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winners, Irish/Manx/Scottish quintet Ímar are amongst Glasgow's hottest folk property. With a wide-reaching fanbase throughout the UK, Europe, USA and Canada, the quintet have fast become one of the trad scene's most talked…
Stramongate, Kendal
In these fun and relaxing four morning sessions Sue will teach you the basics of weaving on a card loom.
You will use a photograph or picture of a landscape as a starting point and learn how to make a design plan from this and then how to create a…
Kendal
The Glen is situated in a quiet location in its own grounds under "The Helm" (local walk and view point of Lake District Moutains and Morecambe bay) but within a 100 metres of country pub & restaurant.
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.
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
Theatre | Starts 7.30pm | Tickets £7
Performed by Act Your Age, with a curtain raiser by Mature Movers.
Houses have secrets. Some are hidden in the memories of those who lived in them, others in the house itself; the atmosphere of each room is…
Kendal
Brewery Arts is a thriving and dynamic arts organisation with over forty years' experience of delivering an exciting and inspirational programme, including cultural events, festivals and creative learning courses. Our venue is a beautiful, historic…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL