Kendal (England)

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

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

By train

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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.

By car

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

Get around

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Map
Map of Kendal (England)

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

River Kent
  • The River Kent flows through Kendal.
  • 54.3261-2.745051 The Kendal Parish Church. Is an interesting building to wander through. Kendal Parish Church on Wikipedia Kendal Parish Church (Q6388859) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • 54.259-2.77642 Levens Hall. Levens Hall on Wikipedia Levens Hall (Q592302) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • 54.3249-2.736443 Kendal Castle. Kendal Castle on Wikipedia Kendal Castle (Q6388845) on Wikidata OSM directions
  • 54.284444-2.7719444 Sizergh Castle, Sizergh, LA8 8AE, ☏ +44 15395 60951, . Sizergh Castle and Garden on Wikipedia Sizergh Castle (Q2290997) on Wikidata OSM directions

Museums

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

  • 54.324736-2.7482021 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. OSM directions
  • The Scout Scar. A hike in the hills to the east of Kendal. Information available from the tourist information shop. Map and guide 45p.
  • 54.342178-2.7404882 Lakeland Climbing Centre (Kendal Wall), Lake District Business Park, Mint Bridge Rd, LA9 6NH, ☏ +44 1539 721-766. OSM directions [dead link]
  • 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.
  • 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 15395 60426. 9AM-5:30PM. OSM directions
  • 54.3261-2.74362 The Factory (Artist's Studios), Aynam Road. Artists' workshops round the factory yard. Opening hours for each business vary. OSM directions [dead link]

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 729-743. A café on the River Kent that specialises in vegan/vegetarian cuisine. OSM directions [dead link]
  • 54.3246-2.74732 The Moon, 129 Highgate, LA9 4EN, ☏ +44 1539 729-254. OSM directions
  • 54.32806-2.74443 The Joshua Tree, Yard 11, Stramongate. OSM directions
  • 54.3282-2.7454 Mumbai. Indian, Pakistani & Bangladeshi restaurant and takeaway. OSM directions
  • 54.3227-2.74615 Union Jack, 15 Kirkland, LA9 5 AF. Proper British grub. Full English Breakfast. OSM directions
  • 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. OSM directions [dead link]
  • 54.3305-2.74777 Deja Vu, 124 Stricklandgate. French - British bistro. OSM directions [dead link]
  • 54.3251-2.74748 Jintana Thai Restaurant, 101 Highgate, LA9 4EN. OSM directions [dead link]
  • 54.315-2.7499 Romneys, 72 Milnthorpe Road, LA9 5HG. Family friendly pub, with accommodation. OSM directions
  • Pedro's Casa, 128 Stricklandgate, ☏ +44 1539 722-332, . Mon-Sat 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

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  • 54.3268-2.74631 The Wine Bar, 19 Lowther Street. Noon-midnight. A great choice of wine, beer, and day time food service. OSM directions [dead link]
  • 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. OSM directions [dead link]
  • 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. OSM directions [dead link]

Sleep

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Connect

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As of Nov 2025, Kendal and its approach roads have 5G from all UK carriers.

Go next

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



This city travel guide to Kendal is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.