Kendal Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the picturesque Lake District in the county of Cumbria, Kendal is a charming town that offers visitors a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and cultural attractions. Known as the "Gateway to the Lakes," Kendal serves as an ideal base for exploring the surrounding national park and its stunning landscapes.

One of Kendal's most iconic landmarks is Kendal Castle, perched atop a hill overlooking the town. Dating back to the 12th century, the ruins of this medieval fortress offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and provide a glimpse into the town's rich history. Visitors can wander through the castle grounds, explore the ancient walls, and imagine what life was like for the castle's inhabitants centuries ago.

For those with an interest in history and culture, Kendal boasts a number of fascinating museums and galleries. The Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry offers a captivating insight into the region's rural heritage, showcasing traditional crafts, agricultural tools, and exhibits on local industries. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the Abbot Hall Art Gallery, which houses an impressive collection of British art, including works by renowned artists such as Turner, Constable, and Ruskin.

Kendal also offers a vibrant shopping scene, with its bustling streets lined with independent boutiques, charming bookshops, and antique stores. The town is particularly famous for its Kendal Mint Cake, a sweet treat that has accompanied countless mountaineers on their adventures in the nearby fells. Visitors can sample this local delicacy and browse the array of shops that sell it, making for a delightful culinary experience.

Nature lovers will be delighted by Kendal's proximity to the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking landscapes. From Kendal, visitors can easily access the park's numerous walking trails, picturesque lakes, and towering mountains, providing endless opportunities for outdoor exploration and adventure.

Alternative names: Population: 29.1 thous.Elevation: 190 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 54°19'41"N, 2°44'46"W

Location

EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Kendal Top Attractions

Kendal Attractions - What to See and Explore

Kendal offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Kendal Castle, Kendal Town Hall, Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Levens Hall. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Forts and castles • Historical place • View point
Kendal Castle
Kendal Castle is a medieval fortification to the east of the town of Kendal, Cumbria, in northern England. The castle, which is atop a glacial drumlin, was built in the 12th century as the Caput baroniae for the Barony of Kendal.
City hall
Kendal Town Hall
The Town Hall is a municipal building in Lowther Street, Kendal, Cumbria. It is a Grade II listed building.
Museum • Art gallery • Art museum
Abbot Hall Art Gallery
Abbot Hall Art Gallery is a museum and gallery in Kendal, England. Abbot Hall was built in 1759 by Colonel George Wilson, the second son of Daniel Wilson of Dallam Tower, a large house and country estate nearby. It was built on the site of the old Abbot’s Hall, roughly where the museum is today.

Museum • Architecture • Historical place
Levens Hall
Levens Hall is a manor house in the Kent valley, near the village of Levens and 5 miles south of Kendal in Cumbria, Northern England.
Museum • History museum • Historical place
Museum of Lakeland Life
The Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry, formerly the Museum of Lakeland Life and sometimes abbreviated to MOLLI, is a local museum in Kendal, Cumbria, northwest England. The museum was opened in 1971 by Princess Alexandra. It won the first ever UK Museum of the Year award in 1973.
Museum • Specialty museum • Natural history museum
Kendal Museum
Kendal Museum is a local museum in Kendal, Cumbria, on the edge of the Lake District in northwest England. It was founded in 1796 and includes collections of local archaeology, history, and geology, and a natural history collection from around the globe.
Museum • Specialty museum • Fashion museum
Quaker Tapestry
The Quaker Tapestry consists of 77 panels illustrating the history of Quakerism from the 17th century to the present day. The idea of Quaker Anne Wynn-Wilson, the tapestry has a permanent home at the Friends Meeting House at Kendal, Cumbria, England.
Gothic Revival architecture • Church
St George's Church
St George's Church is in Castle Street, Kendal, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Kendal, the archdeaconry of Westmorland and Furness, and the diocese of Carlisle.
Gothic Revival architecture • Church
St Thomas' Church
St Thomas' Church is in Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Kendal, the archdeaconry of Westmorland and Furness, and the diocese of Carlisle. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.
Gothic Revival architecture • Church
Church of Holy Trinity and St George
The Church of Holy Trinity and St George is in New Road, Kendal, Cumbria, England. It is an active Roman Catholic parish church in the diocese of Lancaster. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.
Forts and castles
Alavana
Alavana was a name tentatively applied to the ruins of a Roman fort at Watercrook about 2 mi south of Kendal in Cumbria, for which the Roman name Medibogdo is a perfect fit to its river-bend position.
Church
Kendal Parish Church
Kendal Parish Church, also known as the Holy Trinity Church due to its dedication to the Holy Trinity, is the Anglican parish church of Kendal, Cumbria, England.
Forts and castles
Castle Howe
Castle Howe is a motte and bailey castle in the town of Kendal, England.
54°19'29"N • 2°44'56"W
The Brewery Arts Centre
Concerts and shows • Cinema • Music venue
Hill
Whinfell Beacon
Whinfell Beacon is a hill of 472 metres in South Lakeland, Cumbria, England, to the east of the Lake District. It is in the far east of the Lake District National Park since the national park's expansion in 2019.
54°22'30"N • 2°46'14"W
Strickland Roger
Strickland Roger is a civil parish in South Lakeland, Cumbria, England. In the 2001 census the parish had a population of 544, decreasing at the 2011 census to 480.
54°19'54"N • 2°44'51"W
County Offices
The County Offices, formerly Westmorland County Hall, is a municipal building in Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, England. The structure, which was the headquarters of Westmorland County Council from 1939 to 1974, is a Grade II listed building.
54°24'18"N • 2°42'32"W
Fawcett Forest
Fawcett Forest is a former civil parish, now in the parish of Selside and Fawcett Forest, in the South Lakeland district of the English county of Cumbria. It included the valley of Bannisdale. The parish had a population of 23 in 2001.
54°24'36"N • 2°43'12"W
Lowbridge Estate
The Lowbridge Estate is a country estate of approximately 2000 acres in the Lake District region of England that was in the continuous ownership of the Fothergill family from 1761 to 2016. It is now the home of the Todd family.

Things to See and Do in Kendal by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Kendal.

Active

The Outlying Fells of Lakeland
Kendal
HikingHiking trail
Kendal Golf Driving Range
Kendal
Golf
Kendal Putting Green
Kendal
Golf

Other categories

Museum Church

Day trips

Kendal – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Kendal, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Gordale Scar (Malham), Malham Cove (Malham), High Force (Moor House-Upper Teesdale).

30 milesSE
Natural attraction, Nature, Canyon
Gordale Scar, Malham
Gordale Scar is a dramatic limestone ravine located near the village of Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, United Kingdom. Carved out by water over thousands of years, this imposing natural wonder is a magnet for tourists, hikers, and geology enthusiasts.
30 milesSE
Unique rock formation and scenic views
Malham Cove, Malham
Nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, Malham Cove is a breathtaking natural limestone formation that has been a magnet for tourists in the United Kingdom. This majestic cliff, with its sheer face rising about 80 meters high, is a testament to the power of water...
32 milesNE
Natural attraction, Waterfall
High Force, Moor House-Upper Teesdale
High Force is a majestic natural wonder situated in the heart of Moor House-Upper Teesdale, in the United Kingdom. This impressive waterfall is not only one of the most spectacular sights in the region but also holds the title of being the highest uninterrupted drop of...
36 milesE
Amusement park, Theme park
The Forbidden Corner, Yorkshire Dales National Park
Nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park lies a unique and enchanting attraction that promises a day of adventure and discovery: The Forbidden Corner. This whimsical amusement park in Coverham, England, is a delightful maze of gardens, tunnels...
25 milesNW
Museum, Specialty museum
Keswick Pencil Museum, Keswick
Nestled in the charming town of Keswick within the scenic Lake District National Park, the Keswick Pencil Museum is a unique attraction that offers a deep dive into the history and art of pencil making. This quaint museum, though small in size, holds a special place in...