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.

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 Mint Cake packed in your suitcase is a must!

In the traditional Lakeland village of nearby Staveley, you’ll find the Mill Yard, which many local shops, a bakery, a newly-renovated bar and taproom, and more. 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.

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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.

Kendal is home to a multitude of historically exciting buildings. Including the parish church on the river side in Kirkland and a number of houses and office buildings designed and built by renowned local architects. Particularly notable are the 14th century Castle Dairy, Kendal Castle and Castle Howe, Abbot Hall, Kendal Museum. There are also a host of churches and chapels and rows of houses built from the 1600’s right through to the present day.

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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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Did you know?

KENDAL 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 MUSEUM

One 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 CASTLE

Built 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, but it boasts lovely views over the town. 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 PAT

The 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 GREEN

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.

ALFRED WAINWRIGHT IN KENDAL

Alfred Wainwright, author of the famous guidebooks, was born in Blackburn but lived in Kendal from 1941 until his death in 1991. He was Borough Treasurer from 1948 until his retirement in 1967, and had an office in the Town Hall. Between 1952 and 1966, Wainwright climbed 214 Lake District summits to produce his famous Pictoral Guides, which still remain an essential companion for visitors to the Lake District today.