Kendal (England) Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Kendal, in Cumbria, is a market town of 29,000 inhabitants (2012). It describes itself as "The Gateway to the Lakes". Kendal is a picturesque, moderate sized town with plenty of shopping and surprisingly little tourist activity.

National Express runs buses to Kendal; Stagecoach's 555 (or X55) service links Lancaster and Kendal with Keswick.

54.332-2.741 Kendal station is one stop (3 km) beyond Oxenholme on the branch line to Windermere. Trains run hourly until 9:45PM weekdays, 8:45PM weekends.

Kendal is easily accessible via the M6 motorway (Junction 36 from the south or 37 from the north)

Kendal is smallish and interesting enough to be a pleasure to stroll through.

• The River Kent flows through Kendal.
• 54.3261-2.745051 The Kendal Parish Church. Is an interesting building to wander through.  
• 54.259-2.77642 Levens Hall.  
• 54.3249-2.736443 Kendal Castle.  
• 54.284444-2.7719444 Sizergh Castle, Sizergh, LA8 8AE, ☏ +44 15395 60951, [email protected].  

Kendal has a number of museums, the most notable of which are Abbot Hall Art Museum and the Quaker Tapestry Museum

• 54.3315-2.7425 Kendal Museum, Station Rd, LA9 6BT, ☏ +44 1539 815597.  
• 54.322985-2.7448336 Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry.  
• 54.323056-2.7438897 Abbott Hall Art Gallery.  
• 54.32849-2.742978 Quaker Tapestry, Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, LA9 4BH, ☏ +44 1539 722975.  

• 54.324736-2.7482021 The Brewery Arts Centre, 122A Highgate, LA9 4HE, ☏ +44 1539 722833. A notable place to visit. There are 3 cinema screens, music concerts, comedy acts, theatre and during the Kendal mountain festival there are numerous lectures and movies focused on adventure and mountaineering. Also a great bar and restaurant. 
• The Scout Scar. A hike in the hills to the east of Kendal. Information available from the tourist information shop. Map and guide 45p. (updated Dec 2017)
• 54.342178-2.7404882 Lakeland Climbing Centre (Kendal Wall), Lake District Business Park, Mint Bridge Rd, LA9 6NH, ☏ +44 1539 721766. 
• Westmoreland County Show. It is held in early to mid-September at Crooklands 7 miles south of Kendal. Follow the show website directions not Satnav: there's no direct access from A590 or M6. (updated Feb 2024)

• Kendal has a multitude of small boutiques and shops that could probably take up at least half a day of browsing.
• 54.282026-2.7663231 Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop & Tea Room, Low Sizergh Farm, Sizergh, LA8 8AE, ☏ +44 1539 560426. 9AM-5:30PM. 
• 54.3261-2.74362 The Factory (Artist's Studios), Aynam Road. Artists' workshops round the factory yard. Opening hours for each business vary. (updated Feb 2018)

Kendal has produced a local delicacy called the Kendal Mint Cake. It was created in 1936 and was used as an energy bar on the 1953 expedition that climbed Everest for the first time.

• 54.326745-2.7451771 ^{[formerly dead link]} Waterside Cafe, Kent View, LA9 4DZ, ☏ +44 1539 729743. A café on the River Kent that specialises in vegan/vegetarian cuisine. (updated May 2010)
• 54.3246-2.74732 The Moon, 129 Highgate, LA9 4EN, ☏ +44 1539 729254. (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.32806-2.74443 The Joshua Tree, Yard 11, Stramongate. (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.3282-2.7454 Mumbai. Indian, Pakistani & Bangladeshi restaurant and takeaway. (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.3227-2.74615 Union Jack, 15 Kirkland, LA9 5 AF. Proper British grub. Full English Breakfast. (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.3285-2.74416 Neko Sushi, 37 Strammongate. Noon-2PM and 5:30-7:30PM. A Japanese take-away with some space to eat in, specialising in nigiri and maki rolls. (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.3305-2.74777 Deja Vu, 124 Stricklandgate. French - British bistro. (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.3251-2.74748 Jintana Thai Restaurant, 101 Highgate, LA9 4EN. (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.315-2.7499 Romneys, 72 Milnthorpe Road, LA9 5HG. Family friendly pub, with accommodation. (updated Feb 2018)
• Pedro's Casa, 128 Stricklandgate, ☏ +44 1539 722332, [email protected]. M-Sa noon-2:30PM, and daily 5-10PM. Tapas Style restaurant offering mainly Spanish & Mexican Cuisine. Vast menu and can cater for all dietary requirements. (updated Sep 2019)

• 54.3268-2.74631 The Wine Bar, 19 Lowther Street. Noon-midnight. A great choice of wine, beer , and day time food service. (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.32236-2.745172 Ring o'Bells, 39 Kirkland. The only pub built on consecrated ground in England, they serve a good selection of real ales in this small and quirky pub. (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.3256-2.74343 The Factory Tap, 5 Aynam Road. 4-9PM. Great selection of beers. Good beer garden for the summer. Open to 11PM on Friday and Saturday. (updated Feb 2018)

• 54.32473-2.747691 Kendal Hostel, 118-120 Highgate, LA9 4HE, ☏ +44 1539 724 066. £20. (updated Dec 2021)
• Low Greenside Farm Campsite. 
• Stonecross Manor Hotel. 
• 54.3305-2.74192 Riverside Hotel, Stramongate Bridge, Beezon Road. £69. (updated May 2010)
• 54.33055-2.748163 Premier Inn, Maud Street. £45.50. (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.3237-2.7214 Castle Green Hotel (Best Western Hotel), Castle Green Lane. £79.50. (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.3035-2.71515 The Station Inn, Oxenholme LA9 7RF (Up the hill from Oxenholme Railway Station). (updated Feb 2018)
• 54.3133-2.85286 Punch Bowl Inn, Totter Bank, Crosthwaite LA8 8HR, ☏ +44 1539 568237. Stylish small hotel in 18th-century coaching inn, great dining. No dogs in rooms. B&B double £110. (updated Jun 2020)
• 54.318-2.85547 Damson View Glamping, Orchard Barn, Crosthwaite LA8 8HS, ☏ +44 7765 334631. Great views and comfort in these glamping pods. Double £110. (updated May 2022)

Kendal and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of May 2022, 5G has not reached this area.

Routes through Kendal

Glasgow ← Penrith ←	N  S	→ Carnforth → Manchester
Penrith ←	N  S	→ Carnforth
END ←	NW  SE	→ Kirkby Lonsdale → Skipton