Kendal
Kendal is the third largest town in Cumbria and the celebrated home of Kendal Mint Cake. Until the 19th century it was important wool and weaving centre, but nowadays tourism is the driving force of its economy.
The town lies on the River Kent, right on the border of the Lake District National Park. Though not part of the park itself, it is frequently promoted as its southern gateway and is just 10 miles from Windermere.
Because most of the buildings in Kendal are built from grey limestone it is frequently referred to as the Auld Grey Town. Fortified alleyways, or yards, are an integral part of its layout and were built as a refuge from the Border Reivers, gangs of Anglo-Scottish looters that brought terror to the town throughout the Middle Ages.
The small town of Kirkby Lonsdale lies 13 miles to the south-east.
Latest News
Sep 12, Heritage Open Day
The National Trust is opening many of its properties to the public for free on this weekend for Heritage Open Day.
Properties in the North West include
Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill - Penrith
Beatrix Potter Gallery - Hawshead
Dalton Castle – Dalton-in-Furness
Gawthorpe Hall - Padiham
Hill Top - Hawkshead
Little Moreton Hall - Congleton
Lyme Park - Cheshire
Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate - Cheshire
Rufford Old Hall - Ormskirk
Sizergh Castle and Garden - Kendal
Townend - Windermere
Wordsworth House - Cockermouth
Wray Castle - Windermere
Heritage Open Day is a nationwide initiative by the Civic Trust and English Heritage which sees many buildings, which are normally closed or charge a fee, open their doors for free.
For full details visit the National Trust website.
Sep 5, Kirkby Londsdale Country Fair cancelled
The Kirkby Lonsdale Country Fair, due to be held this weekend, has been cancelled because of the bad weather. Some of the indoor events such as the craft market at the Kirkby Lonsdale Institute will still go ahead.
May 14, Cumbria Tourism Awards 2008
The winners of the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2008 were announced last night at a special ceremony at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal. The winners were:
Most Outstanding Customer Service Award – Daniel Fairweather, Windermere Marina Village
Unsung Hero – Alan Denwood, Lakes Aquarium
Lady Inglewood Award for Innovative People Management - The Old England, Bowness-on-Windermere
Large Hotel of the Year - The Old England Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere
Small Hotel of the Year - Appleby Manor Country House Hotel, Appleby
Bed & Breakfast of the Year - Augill Castle, Kirkby Stephen
Self Catering Holiday of the Year - The Lodge, Brampton
Holiday Park of the Year - Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Estate, Windermere
Large Visitor Attraction - South Lakes Wild Animal Park, Dalton-in-Furness
Small Visitor Attraction – The Quaker Tapestry, Kendal
Taste of Cumbria – Village Bakery, Melmerby, Penrith
Tourism Experience Award – Shacklabank Free Range Walking, Sedbergh
Business Tourism Award – Rheged, Penrith
Tourism Website – Windermere Lodge, Windermere
Apr 1, Forgotten Valley Festival cancelled
The Forgotten Valley Festival, due to be held May 23 – 25 near Kendal, has been cancelled. A statement on the festival website by Event Director Rob Dumphy reads ‘It is with great sadness that I am writing this. I have been working closely with our bank and investors to keep Forgotten Valley on the festival calendar this year. The current financial climate has not helped us and Forgotten Valley has to be cancelled.’
Ticket refunds can be obtained by calling Ticketline on 0871 424 0047.
Dec 5, North West pubs scoop awards
Several pubs in North West England have been named amongst the top 30 dining pubs in the UK. The PubChef Top 30 Gastropub Awards featured the Ribble Valley’s Three Fishes at number 5, the Lake District’s Drunken Duck at number 21, and Kirkby Lonsdale’s Highwayman Inn at number 26.
