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Kendal – The Auld Grey Town
Kendal earned its nickname thanks to the many limestone buildings lining the streets and alleyways, and these building give the place a unique feel; the weather beaten façades are every bit as interesting as the wonderful nuggets of history tucked away around the town.
Kendal sits on the edge of the Lake District National Park and is the third largest town in Cumbria (after Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness), but it often loses out to places like Ambleside and Keswick when it comes to visitors, which is a real shame because there is so much to see and do. Here are our top tips – and if these whet your appetite, then why not hire a Blue Badge Guide who can show you around and really help you dig beneath the surface?
The River Kent
The town sits on the River Kent which rises a few miles to the north in the stunning Kentmere Valley. The Kent is a fast flowing river which, in the past, supported a surprisingly industrial landscape in the region; there were many bobbin mills dotted along its length, using local wood to make bobbins for the mills of Lancashire.
There’s a lovely easy walk along the river and it’s a great way to get to know the town. There are three striking bridges to admire as you make your way through: Victoria Bridge, built in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, Stramongate Bridge with its wonderful elegant arches, and Miller Bridge, which was originally built to connect the town to the corn mill at the castle.
There are parks alongside the banks for much of the way, and look out for the old steps down into the river, once used for the washing of wool and cloth. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife too – otters and kingfishers are regularly spotted along the stretch through town.
Two Castles
Kendal is home to not one, but two castles. The earliest castle is Castle Howe, west of the town, where the remains of an ancient motte and bailey dating back to the late 11th century are still visible.
The second castle, to the east of the town, was built in the early 13th century and it’s likely that the two castles co-existed for a period of time with the second, newer, castle acting as more of an administrative base. This castle is well worth a visit with plenty still to see, lovely views over the town and historical links to Henry VIII to discover.
Woolly Past
Look closely at the Kendal Coat of Arms and you’ll see that it’s full of references to the town’s woollen past, and the town’s motto, Pannus mihi panis, translates as “Cloth is my bread”. The cloth produced was tough, hard wearing, and a distinctive shade of green (known as Kendal Green). It was worn by the Kendal Archers at the Battles of Crechy in 1346 and Poitiers in 1356. It was also popular with early visitors – the term ‘Kendal Bumps’ was originally the name of a cloth, but was also used to refer to tourists who purchased and wore the garments around town.
Other industries
There are so many industries associated with the town that it’s almost hard to know where to begin. Kendal Mint Cake is perhaps the most well known, with Sir Edmund Hillary famously taking some to the summit of Everest. At one time each family would have had their own ‘secret’ recipe for this sweet treat.
Snuff production in the town dates all the way back to 1792. Thomas Harrison started snuff production in the town and although his original firm has evolved through the years, it’s still located in Kendal and still producing snuff. Look out for the unusual shop sign above Samuel Gawith & Co snuff makers on Lowther Street.
Places to visit
Some of the most notable places to visit in town are: Abbot Hall gallery and Museum – throughout the year there are a range of exhibitions celebrating local, and nationally, renowned artists. Kendal Museum – packed full of fascinating local artefacts and with many of Alfred Wainwright’s original handwritten exhibit labels still visible, and The Quaker Tapestry which offers a unique insight into the history of the region, and is open throughout the year.
Festival Town
Kendal also boasts a range of festivals, although the eponymous Kendal Calling now takes place some miles to the north. In October there’s the Wool Gathering, a celebration of local wool production and in November it’s Kendal Mountain Festival which attracts the finest outdoors speakers and filmmakers from around the globe. Also in October is the Lakes International Comic Art Festival which gets bigger and better each year.
If you want to make the most of your visit to this amazing town, please contact one of our Blue Badge Guides who will be delighted to tailor an itinerary to suit your specific needs.
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