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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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Fun facts and tantaliaing trivia about Kendal. Click for more details
Kendal - Gateway to The Lakes
Number of results: 152
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Kendal
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of Kendal, Cumbria, in northern England.
Kendal
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock Solid?2 from 9th May to 29th June. This exhibition at the People's Gallery, Kendal Museum will run alongside a series of events including an art trail…
Kendal
Transform and recycle subtle coloured pieces of sea glass into jewellery that is perfect for summer. You will learn to use a range of tools and develop jewellery making skills, working with sterling silver alongside your sea glass, to create…
Kendal
Can you discover eight of the birds that call Sizergh home? Take part in the Spring Bird Challenge this April. This self-led family trail will take you out along the Holeslack accessible route, and you'll collect clues along the way before crowning…
Kendal
Sheep Dog Trials with hound trails, dog show and a small number of craft stands, bar, catering and ice cream van
Kendal
Carus Green Golf Club is based on the edge of the English Lake District and has become popular due to it’s PGA Golf Course and other fantastic features.
Kendal
Fired up and raring to go after a lockdown spent creating hugely popular film project, 'The Orkney Series', Scottish powerhouse quartet FARA unveiled their highly anticipated third studio album in 2022, and they're now hitting the road, performing…
Staveley
Kentmere Farm Pods offer superb Glamping accommodation on a beautiful working farm in the Lake District National Park with breathtaking views of the Kentmere Valley and surrounding Lake District fells. An adventurer’s paradise in South Lakes – great…
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…
Kendal
In the heart of the picturesque village of Brigsteer, The Wheatsheaf Inn offers superb food, great real ales and a fantastic range of wines. Jjust three miles from the medieval market town of Kendal, we are family, walker, cyclist and dog friendly.
Kendal
At Bowness Bay Brewing, we know what makes a good pint. Our customers rely on us to brew smooth and flavourful ales and lagers that make the perfect accompaniment to an evening with friends. Our brewery was founded in the heart of the Lake District…
Cumbria
Limestone gorge falls. Park near village pond in Caldbeck. Walk down hill to farm with 'Howk' on barn end, follow the path for a further 0.5 mile.
Kendal
Join us on a traditional Lakeland farm to develop the basic drawing skills you need to draw animals confidently. There will be tips and techniques for using reference photographs to produce an animal portrait and advice given for observing and…
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.
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…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
468 reviewsNr Ambelside
On the Brathay river behind Skelwith Bridge Hotel. 16ft drop
Ambleside
Great Langdale waterfall, high up on mountainside, on Whorneyside Fell.
Stramongate, Kendal
On this one-day course, students will learn the basic skills of stained glass – choosing from a tutor template or creating their own simple design. The panel can be all glass, or incorporate a mirror if desired.
Kendal
Forge Festival 2024 is an ambitious young person-led festival with young creatives and early career artists from across Cumbria all performing exciting pieces of original live performance in response to the theme 'Our Human Connection to the Natural…
Old Hutton, Kendal
A FULLY INCLUSIVE ACTIVITY 3 NIGHT WEEKEND FOR ADULTS from Friday 3rd - Monday 6th May.
Our Adult Activity Courses are perfect for adults with a physical disability who are looking to have a short break in accessible accommodation, make new…
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL