Kendal

The largest town in the Lake District, Kendal is a vibrant community with excellent outdoor shops, galleries, and museums documenting the region's mountain heritage. It's a great shopping and cultural destination while remaining a perfect base for accessing some of England's finest hiking trails.

Things to do

• Kendal Museum — Explore exhibits on Lake District geology, natural history, and local archaeological finds spanning from Roman times to the present day.
• Abbott Hall Art Gallery — Visit this Georgian mansion housing contemporary and historical art collections, with views over the River Kent.
• Pencil Museum at Keswick — Learn about the world's first graphite pencils at this quirky museum just 20 minutes away in nearby Keswick.
• Castle Howe — Climb this modest hill above Kendal for panoramic views of the town and surrounding fells, a short walk from the town centre.
• Mint Cake Trail — Walk the heritage trail celebrating Kendal's famous mint cake confectionery that has sustained mountaineers and expeditions worldwide.
• River Kent Walk — Follow scenic riverside paths through woodland and meadows on the south bank of the River Kent from Kendal town centre.
• Kentmere Valley Hike — Access one of the Lake District's quieter valleys with excellent fell walking trails, just 10 miles south of Kendal.

Food to try

• Kendal Mint Cake — A distinctive sweet bar of peppermint-flavoured fondant compressed with glucose, invented in Kendal in 1869 and carried by mountaineers on Everest.
• Sticky Toffee Pudding — This locally beloved British dessert features a moist sponge cake made with dates and smothered in warm toffee sauce, found in many Lake District establishments.
• Westmorland Lamb — Tender local lamb raised on the fells around Kendal, traditionally roasted or used in hearty stews at local restaurants.
• Lake District Char — A unique whitefish found in Windermere and other local lakes, traditionally potted with butter or served simply grilled.
• Grasmere Gingerbread — Though originating in nearby Grasmere, this dark spiced cake is widely available in Kendal and remains a regional speciality.

Local customs & good to know

• Outdoor Shop Culture — Kendal is home to major outdoor retailers like Mountain Warehouse and numerous specialist climbing and hiking shops; locals take outdoor pursuits seriously.
• Market Day Tradition — The town's weekly market days (especially Wednesday and Saturday) remain central to Kendal life, with locals shopping for produce and goods in the historic market square.
• Lake District Gateway Mindset — As the largest Lake District town, Kendal residents view themselves as stewards of the region's outdoor heritage and can provide excellent local hiking advice.
• Fell Running Heritage — The town has a strong tradition of fell running; you may encounter runners training on local hills and the Kendal Town Council actively supports this sporting culture.