Location: Kendal
Top Things to do in Kendal
The 10 Best Things to do in Kendal, England
Kendal /ˈkɛndəl/, anciently known as Kirkby in Kendal or Kirkby Kendal, is a market town and civil parish within the South Lakeland District of Cumbria, England. Historically in Westmorland, it is situated about 8 miles (13 km) south-east of Windermere, 19 miles (31 km) north of Lancaster, 23 miles (37 km) north-east of Barrow-in-Furness and 38 miles (61 km) north-west of Skipton. The town lies in the valley or "dale" of the River Kent, from which it derives its name, and has a total resident population of 28,586, making it the third largest settlement in Cumbria behind Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness.
Restaurants in Kendal
1. Quaker Tapestry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
World famous attraction within the historic market town of Kendal in Cumbria. An award-winning, inspirational exhibition of embroidered panels telling stories of railways, revolutionary ideas and remarkable people. 350 years of social history, beautifully hand-crafted by 4,000 people from around the world. Facilities include, visitor audio guides in several languages, films, subsidiary displays, children's activities, garden, gift shop and cafe. Situated at Friends Meeting House in one of Kendal's finest Georgian buildings next to the River Kent. There is step-free access and a small visitor car park at the Stramongate entrance to the Meeting House. There is a Coach drop-off bay and bus station within 100 metres and Kendal train station within a five-minute walk.
Reviewed By louiselV7098RW - Slough, United Kingdom
Always worth a visit, I try to visit when I'm in Kendal! Staff are very helpful and informative! My favourite panels the scientists, health and the environment! I would recommend a visit!
2. Levens Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 590 reviews
Levens Hall is a stunning family home with exceptional Elizabethan interiors and the finest furniture, clocks and paintings. Explore the fascinating artefacts linking the Hall to the Duke of Wellington, marvel at the world's largest and oldest topiary gardens before visiting the gift shop and the new Levens Kitchen for refreshments. Open House & Gardens 7 April - 3 October 2019 Sunday to Thursday (Closed Fridays and Saturdays). House 1200-1600, Gardens, Gift Shop, Plant Centre & Kitchen 1000-1700 Levens Kitchen 18 March - 4 April 2019 Sunday to Thursday (Closed Fridays and Saturdays) 1000-1600 7 April - 3 October 2019 Sunday to Thursday (Closed Fridays and Saturdays) 1000-1700 6 October - 19 December 2019 Sunday to Thursday (Closed Fridays and Saturdays) 1000-1600.
Reviewed By AlisonC342 - Haywards Heath, United Kingdom
What a fabulous place to spend a few hours! A garden with something for everyone - luxurious vegetables, dramatic topiary, borders, willow maze, croquet lawn...all maintained to perfection. The house (we didn't take a tour because of having my very elderly mum with us who would have struggled) is handsome and serene from the outside. Walk under hornbeam (?) pleached walkways, sit by the beautiful giant lily pond. It's lovely. The cafe is elegant and classy - National-Trust-smart architecture but without the food all being the same! Our cream teas were excellent. And a gift shop with things we really wanted to buy, well chosen. 100% is my score.
3. The Antiques Emporium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By Brucestewart - Livingston, United Kingdom
We were staying for a week in a cottage just outside Windermere and one day decided to visit Kendal. My wife loves buying vintage items for our house and garden and said that we must visit the Antiques Emporian. It proved to be a bit of an Aladdin's cave of items for sale and she bought a couple of items on our first visit. There was however something that she wasn't sure about buying but after a couple of days of thinking about it back we went to get it. Luckily it was still in stock. I tried my best to negotiate a price reduction just as they do on 'Bargain Hunt' and other antiques programmes on the TV but there is a house rule that there is no negotiation on items priced at £20 or below, and as it was priced at £18, that was the price that had to be paid. My wife was happy with this however as from a look on sites such as ebay the item she bought usually sells for around £25. Well worth visiting if you have the time to spare.
4. Sizergh Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,404 reviews
Reviewed By Y7972VAmichaelh
Sizergh Castle, the home of the Strickland family since 1239, turned out to be a most memorable day and of tremendous interest. The Hall didn’t open until midday so we spent a good hour wandering through the stunning gardens, thankfully in brilliant warm sunshine. The limestone rock garden was made in 1926 and contained beautiful Japanese maples and ferns of spectacular golden colours (mid-September). The mid-14th-century Solar Tower dominates the south-east front effectively landscaped with stone terraces and steps leading down to the lily pond. The interior contained some wonderful pieces of furniture and stunning bronze figurines. Cecilia Strickland transformed the Hall from 1773 onwards but was stricken with chronic arthritis forcing her to resort to using a wooden chair which had been fitted with wheels in quite a homespun but nonetheless ingenious fashion. This National Trust owned property really was a highlight on our week-long holiday and the restaurant is geared up in a very professional way to serve good meals which was attracting a significant number of visitors. The staff throughout the whole complex were engaging, polite and extremely knowledgeable without being over intrusive. A really great find which could have easily been missed due to the high charges for car parking .... something that seriously needs looking at National Trust! Visitors WILL spend in so many other ways and be quite generous with their giving too, but hitting them hard from the outset is not the way to do it. A property that totally justifies a 5-star rating.
5. Lake District National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Guided walks in the Lake District National Park
Reviewed By JenPCornwall
Driving through the national park en-route to Scotland....awesome terrain, fabulous lakes and views and just for the driving experience over the passes on the minor roads it was well worth the journey from CORNWALL!! If you are looking for a family holiday where every member can find something of interest and you can't make it to Cornwall then this is the place for you!
6. Lakeland Maze Farm Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
A fun day out for all the family with plenty to do rain or shine. Maize Mazes open july-september and Farm Park open weekends and school holidays February- End of October. Soft play, Go Karts, Ferrets, Farm Quiz, Tractor Rides, Trampolines, Bouncy Slide, Farm Animal Barn, Groom the pony, Pet barn, Tube Maze, Indoor Lego, Outdoor Play Area, Tractor Barn, Farm Quiz, and Seasonal activities as well. We also provide kids parties.
Reviewed By lizmercer - Liverpool, United Kingdom
Visited in August 2020. Straightforward online booking (although a bit lengthy) and cost £32 for a family of 4. We have two boys aged 12 and 5 so it's good to find somewhere that will interest both of them. Lots of attractions - Animal petting - Animal feeding - Go karts (indoors and outdoors) - Panel maze - Tractor rides - Pedal toy area - Outdoor play area (including trampolines, bouncy slide, climbing frame etc) And of course the maze! There is a mini maize, and the main one. The main one takes around an hour- make sure you have the map with you so you don't get lost. It was a bit muddy underfoot so make sure you have good walking shoes or wellies with a good grip. They have a flag system so if you have a genuine emergency an attendant will come find you to get you out. The indoor play area is closed due to covid at present. Plenty of hand washing stations all around. Reasonable amount of under cover tables to eat at. We bought 3 ice creams, a chocolate bar and a drink for around £8, which is pretty reasonable for a tourist attraction (loved the double jersey icecream!). It rained on and off for most of the time we were there, but there is plenty to do undercover without this being a major issue. Timed entry and a one way system with floor marking and signage to reinforce social distancing, and masks expected for all indoor areas. Not over booked so we were happy with the level of distancing throughout. We spent around 3-4 hours there, and possibly could have stayed longer. Thoroughly enjoyable day and will probably visit again next year when they have a new design for the maze.
7. Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By firtreecott
We were made very welcome by a member of staff at the car park and then by another who was manning the cameras allowing us to see the young ospreys on the nest through their telephoto lens. The boardwalk was easy for people of all abilities and the moss itself was very interesting with loads of insect and bird life as well as unusual plants.
8. Brewery Arts Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 401 reviews
The Brewery Arts Centre is a thriving and dynamic arts organisation with over forty years experience of delivering an exciting and inspirational programme, including artistic events, festivals and creative learning courses. Our venue is a beautiful, historic building full of charm and set against the backdrop of the picturesque market town of Kendal.
Reviewed By HansensIceCream - Kendal, United Kingdom
Brilliant food and kendal is lucky to now have an amazing chef at such a lovely venue . Food was well presented , perfectly seasoned and reasonable priced . Definitely recommend going for a safe environment too as all the protocols are in place and staff make you feel welcome and safe too.
9. Abbot Hall Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 162 reviews
Abbot Hall Art Gallery is a Grade 1 listed building with a national reputation for showing contemporary and historical works with powerful changing exhibitions. Conveniently located in the town centre, Abbot Hall enjoys a pretty riverside setting. Just a stone’s throw from leafy Abbot Hall Park and Kendal Parish Church, it makes for an inspiring day out for all. On permanent display in the period Georgian rooms is a selection of works by Cumbrian born artist George Romney (1734-1802), one of the greatest of all eighteenth-century portrait painters. The centre piece is what many perceive to be his masterpiece, the beautiful The Gower Family: The Children of Granville, 2nd Earl Gower (1776-7). Also on show is The Great Picture which is an impressive triptych commissioned by Lady Anne Clifford (1590-1678) in 1646. It depicts the story of her life-long struggle for, and ultimately succession to, the family inheritance.
Reviewed By drury1997 - Goole, United Kingdom
We came here whilst on holiday and bought a combined ticket that allowed us to see the art gallery and the museum also on site. There was a wide range of art to be seen and we especially enjoyed looking at the work by George Romney and the Scottish colourists, and there was also work by Lucian Freud and Celia Paul. All of the pieces of art work have description placards and there are larger boards in each room to deliver general history of movements or specific artists. We visited the gift shop which was full of books and postcard with some of the art work in the gallery on. The staff we very pleasant. We then went to the cafe for a sandwich and a cup of tea, both of which were lovely. Lots of choice for food and different types of teas and coffees. The staff again were pleasant and friendly. Finally we wondered around the museum and enjoyed looking over the exhibits and readying the information cards. There were several different rooms all packed with different things and each was interesting. Overall, this place is certainly worth a visit and kept us entertained for over three hours.
10. Kendal Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 465 reviews
Reviewed By A4218PAjackc
If you enjoy a nice walk with something of interest to see then you could do a lot worse than have a gentle amble around Kendal Castle
