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.
Get in
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By bus
[edit]National Express runs buses to Kendal; Stagecoach's 555 (or X55) service links Lancaster and Kendal with Keswick.
By train
[edit]1 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.
By car
[edit]Kendal is easily accessible via the M6 motorway (Junction 36 from the south or 37 from the north)
Get around
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Kendal is smallish and interesting enough to be a pleasure to stroll through.
See
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- The River Kent flows through Kendal.
- 1 The Kendal Parish Church. Is an interesting building to wander through.
- 2 Levens Hall.
- 3 Kendal Castle.
- 4 Sizergh Castle, Sizergh, LA8 8AE, ☏ +44 15395 60951, [email protected].
Museums
[edit]Kendal has a number of museums, the most notable of which are Abbot Hall Art Museum and the Quaker Tapestry Museum
- 5 Kendal Museum, Station Rd, LA9 6BT, ☏ +44 1539 815-597.
- 6 Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry.
- 7 Abbott Hall Art Gallery.
- 8 Quaker Tapestry, Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, LA9 4BH, ☏ +44 1539 722-975.
Do
[edit]- 1 The Brewery Arts Centre, 122A Highgate, LA9 4HE, ☏ +44 1539 722-833. 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.
- 2 Lakeland Climbing Centre (Kendal Wall), Lake District Business Park, Mint Bridge Rd, LA9 6NH, ☏ +44 1539 721-766.
- 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.
Buy
[edit]- Kendal has a multitude of small boutiques and shops that could probably take up at least half a day of browsing.
- 1 Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop & Tea Room, Low Sizergh Farm, Sizergh, LA8 8AE, ☏ +44 15395 60426. 9AM-5:30PM.
- 2 The Factory (Artist's Studios), Aynam Road. Artists' workshops round the factory yard. Opening hours for each business vary.
Eat
[edit]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.
- 1 [formerly dead link] Waterside Cafe, Kent View, LA9 4DZ, ☏ +44 1539 729-743. A café on the River Kent that specialises in vegan/vegetarian cuisine.
- 2 The Moon, 129 Highgate, LA9 4EN, ☏ +44 1539 729-254.
- 3 The Joshua Tree, Yard 11, Stramongate.
- 4 Mumbai. Indian, Pakistani & Bangladeshi restaurant and takeaway.
- 5 Union Jack, 15 Kirkland, LA9 5 AF. Proper British grub. Full English Breakfast.
- 6 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.
- 7 Deja Vu, 124 Stricklandgate. French - British bistro.
- 8 Jintana Thai Restaurant, 101 Highgate, LA9 4EN.
- 9 Romneys, 72 Milnthorpe Road, LA9 5HG. Family friendly pub, with accommodation.
- Pedro's Casa, 128 Stricklandgate, ☏ +44 1539 722-332, [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.
Drink
[edit]- 1 The Wine Bar, 19 Lowther Street. Noon-midnight. A great choice of wine, beer, and day time food service.
- 2 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.
- 3 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.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Kendal Hostel, 118-120 Highgate, LA9 4HE, ☏ +44 1539 724-066. £20.
- Low Greenside Farm Campsite.
- Stonecross Manor Hotel.
- 2 Riverside Hotel, Stramongate Bridge, Beezon Road. £69.
- 3 Premier Inn, Maud Street. £45.50.
- 4 Castle Green Hotel (Best Western Hotel), Castle Green Lane. £79.50.
- 5 The Station Inn, Oxenholme LA9 7RF (Up the hill from Oxenholme Railway Station).
- 6 Punch Bowl Inn, Totter Bank, Crosthwaite LA8 8HR, ☏ +44 15395 68237. Stylish small hotel in 18th-century coaching inn, great dining. No dogs in rooms. B&B double £110.
- 7 Damson View Glamping, Orchard Barn, Crosthwaite LA8 8HS, ☏ +44 7765 334631. Great views and comfort in these glamping pods. Double £110.
Connect
[edit]As of Nov 2025, Kendal and its approach roads have 5G from all UK carriers.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Kendal |
| Glasgow ← Penrith ← | N  S
|
→ Carnforth → Manchester |
| Penrith ← | N  S
|
→ Carnforth |
| END ← | NW  SE
|
→ Kirkby Lonsdale → Skipton |