Kendal
Kendal is a picture perfect old market town filled with character in what has to be one of the prettiest parts of England, the incredible Lake District. As if the lakes were not enough the town is a mere thirty minutes’ drive away from the stunning landscape of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Kendal is a haven for those with a love of the outdoors, for those who want to make the most of the beautiful scenery that surrounds you here, and those that are looking to enjoy some outdoor pursuits. Kendal is incredibly popular with all kinds of visitors as it has such a broad appeal.
Something for Everyone
There are attractions in Kendal that will appeal to the whole family from high interest museums to historic houses, art galleries and some fabulous leisure facilities. One of things that Kendal is especially well known for is the large number of independent retailers and specialist stores that are attractions in their own right. There are also a few fantastic cafes and tea rooms that can instantly transport you into times gone by. Kendal was always, and still remains a busy market town, it was a port of call for many travellers journeying between England and Scotland and the market is still going strong.
Full of Character
The town of Kendal is situated on the River Kent a mere eight miles from the ever popular Morecombe Bay. Kendal is widely regarded as being the undisputed gateway to the Lake District. Kendal is very much a Victorian town, this can be seen in the architecture of the limestone buildings, but the history of the town goes much farther back in history, as illustrated by what remains of the Norman Castle that once dominated the landscape here. In fact the roots of the town are even older than that as the Romans built a fort in the area back in the first century, which was located just to the south of the location of the modern town. There were already people living here when the Romans arrived, the region was populated by the Brigantes. This meeting of cultures saw Kendal become a centre for trade, something which has stayed with the town down through the centuries.
The Growth of the Town
Kendal is listed in the Doomsday Book and was once home to a Norman castle which is now referred to as Kendal Castle, it is believed to date back to the twelfth century. Not long after the castle was built the town was granted its market charter by King Richard I, the money it raised being used to finance the crusades. The Saturday market that it granted still takes place every week. The town church stands upon the site of an earlier Saxon church which was destroyed during a Scottish raid in around 1200. The town flourished during the industrial revolution when it became a major centre for the wool industry, signs of which you can still see as you walk around the town.
