Kendal

Kendal

Kendal is the first town you will come to as you start your journey from the M6 into the National Park, rightly proclaiming itself as the gateway to the lakes. Steeped in history, it is affectionately known as the ‘auld grey town’ with most of the fine buildings constructed of lime stone, giving an impression of being hewn straight out of the rock. Grey by name but vibrant by nature and is considered one of Englands most attractive and pleasing towns to reside in, offering both shopping for the local community, the seat of local council, and a shining light as a centre for the arts. The town is steeped in a history involving the Romans, the Anglo Saxons, the Tudors and Elizabethans. The present township started life as an anglo saxon settlement by the river where, in the eighth century, they erected a little cross, then a church, around which grew the area to be known as Kirkland, as noted in the Doomsday Book. From this early settlement Kendal, as it was to become, slowly grew, reaching prosperity in the thirteenth century as a major wool manufacturing centre, its mills powered by the river Kent.

Shopping - Dining - Entertainment

Running through the heart of Kendal is a long, mainly pedestrian road lying just west of the river, divided into three areas. At the south is Kirkland, often referred to as Kirkland village, then into Highgate, ending at Stricklandgate. As you wander round the town you can browse the many shops. At the centre of the town is Market Place and Finkle Street, two restored cobbled lanes where both street and farmers markets are held. Beals is the local department store with a fine restaurant for lunch, Marks & Spencer at Elephant Yard for that great time saver the Chinese take away and Booths, an excellent local supermarket chain, with the Artisan restaurant - excellent lunch. Jules B is my favorite clothes shop. Set at the bottom of Finkle Street there is now a store on one side of the street for the ladies and opposite a new shop just for us chaps. The staff are great, the range excellent if pricey, but the girls make you feel it all worth crunching the credit card and they will tell you if an outfit makes you b** look big. For entertainment and dining there is a host to see, do and sample. There are lots of restaurants and pubs, far too many to mention and you are best to Goggle to see the latest offerings. On the arts scene Kendal really shines. The Brewery Arts Center has really pushed Kendal to the forefront. There is theatre, cinema, art exhibitions along with workshops in just about every aspect and discipline of the arts from photography to life classes, stencil to sculpture. The Abbot Hall Art Gallery, an essential stop for any visitor, housing an immense permanent collection of modern art, along with guest exhibitions of distinguished artists. Adjoining Abbot Hall is the Museum Of Life, a fascinating collection showing how our Cumbrian ancestors worked, lived and entertained. Still with the arts, there is the Kendal Museum of Natural History with stuffed specimens, a new interactive castle display and a homage to the great fell walker, Alfred Wainwright, including drawings, objects (various) and a pair of well darned socks. Finally, down at Stramongate, at the friends meeting house, is a display of Quaker embroidery.

Out And About - Local Walks - Activities

As you wander along the main thoroughfare there are dozens of yards, crofts and courts making for enjoyable exploration. Many of the buildings along the main street retain their period frontage, notable among these are Farrer's Coffee Merchants and W. H. Smith, though a few too many have the sad seventies aluminum face of indifference. However, the whole combine to make an overall pleasing muddle of shops, inns and cafes and we can be thankful that all new work is done in a far more sympathetic and pleasing style. Across the river lie the ruins of Kendal Castle, a good place to start a days exploration, offering a fine view of the town. Built in the early 1200’s by William Rufus, the castle was home to the barons of Kendal up to the Tudor period, when it fell into decline. The best known of these baronial families were the Parr’s of whom Katherine was the sixth wife of Henry VIII. This Kendal lass was the only one to survive Henry, neither being divorced nor loosing her head to the axe. She was a woman of learning and culture, encouraging her step daughters, Mary & Elizabeth in the importance and pleasure of study and learning, having her own book published, a rare achievement for that unenlightened time. At Kirkland there is the fine parish church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Built on the site of the first church, you can see part of the original eighth century cross. The architecture is quite lovely and somewhat grand, being one the widest parish churches in England. Inside you will find Katherine's prayer book, the Corona over the altar, a sculpture by Josephina de Vasconcellos, and some splendid stained glass windows. The church allows brass rubbings and there is a childrens trail. For a walk, or I should say climb on the wild side, there is the Lakeland Climbing Centre with its world class indoor wall, offering a unique opportunity to experienced climbers and beginners alike. Finally there is the Kendal Leisure Centre with its pool and indoor sports, along with cafes and cinema.