Kendal lies just outside the Lake District National Park, about 10 miles south ofWindermere and is the southern gateway to the Lake District.  Built largely of grey stone, Kendal received the nickname "the auld grey town" and was the home of Catherine Parr, the last of Henry V111's wives.  It is very accessible from the M6 motorway.

Kendal was granted its market charter in 1189, and it relives those days each year during the Spring Bank Holiday when a medieval market with pageantry, music and entertainment takes over the streets with strolling players, jugglers and jesters.

The town's old cobbled streets and byways branch off the attractive main street and are peppered with quaint antique and speciality shops.  You will also find a number of high street stores in the main pedestrianised shopping area.  Set beside the River Kent, this town has much to offer in the way of shopping and restaurants, and its historic buildings, galleries and museums give depth and meaning to every visit.

The 12th century stone ruins of Kendal Castle sit on a hill on the western edge of town, offering views over the town and surrounding hills.  The town also boasts the large parish church in Cumbria.

The parish church, Holy Trinity, is mostly 18th century, but has been a place of worship since the 13th century.  It is one of the largest in England, and the largest in Cumbria, having 4 aisles, a fine western tower and a peel of ten bells.  At the end of the 18th century it was supposed to hold as large a congregation as almost any church in the kingdom, about 1200 people.

Beside the parish church is the Abbot Hall Art Gallery, set in an attractive Georgian house in a beautiful setting beside the River Kent, surrounded by a park and overlooked by the castle ruins. 

It is one of Britain's finest small art galleries and a wonderful place in which to see and enjoyart in the elegant rooms of a Grade 1 listed building.

Abbot Hall is also highly acclaimed for its exhibition programme.  Permanent collections include key works by George Romney and two dramatic paintings of Windermere by Philip de Loutherbourg.  There are fine examples of 18th century furniture and some delightful portrait miniatures.  There is also an important collection of 29th century British art

Return to Northern England cottage map