Allithwaite has a great local pub serving good food and local ales which is located just 150 yards from the entrance to the park. It also has a small village shop and post office.
There’s more to Kendal than the mint cake and hot tubs (although that’s definitely a highlight…) You’ll find tons to see and do here and it’s all so gorgeous to look at too.
Head to Sizergh Castle, the Strickland family home for more than 800 years and you can breath in the history with medieval and Tudor rooms that open onto stunning gardens. Wander the Rock Garden, Stumpery and Dutch Garden, then loop quiet estate paths through woods and wetlands. It’s mostly firm surfaces and pram-friendly and you can also pre-book a mobility scooter.
Sizergh Castle in Kendal
More importantly, there’s a cracking cafe and the usual National Trust shop … where you’ll have to fork out a fortune for a teeny teddy to keep the children happy.
Kendal Castle crowns is in the east of the town. The free-to-roam ruins deliver sweeping panoramas over rooftops and fells; bring a windproof layer and a camera. Short, steep paths make a fun leg-stretch between town stops.
In the centre, indie shops, cafés and restaurants cluster around lanes and yards and there’s a lovely outdoor market (Wednesday and Saturday) where you can buy local produce, antiques and crafts!
Don’t leave without a bar of Kendal Mint Cake… the almost illegally-sweet Romney’s and Quiggin’s treat is still made locally. You’ll find it at most corner shops in several flavours.
Kendal Museum is a compact, family-friendly pick with natural history, archaeology and curious taxidermy. Kids love the polar bear and hands-on displays; grown-ups linger over geology and local stories. It’s easy to pair with a park runabout or a riverside stroll along the Kent.
Quick tips: arrive early for castle parking; Sizergh opens gardens before the house in peak season; book café lunch at busy times; market traders usually take cards but small change helps; wear waterproof shoes—Cumbrian weather turns fast; dogs on leads are welcome outdoors.
For families on a lodge break
Families staying in one of Kendal’s hot tub lodges will find no shortage of activities. Exploring Lakeland Maze Farm Park is one of the top family activities in Kendal, perfect if you’re travelling with kids in tow. At the park you can get close to a variety of cute farm animals, including donkeys, ferrets, and ponies.
KendalWall, Lakeland Climbing Centre Unit 27 Lake District Business Park Mint Bridge Road Kendal LA9 6NH… Open year-round Kendal Wall is the perfect all-weather activity in the Lake District. The climbing centre features a whopping 25m main wall, auto-belays, bouldering, routing roof, training room, dry toolbox, and a kid’s climbing wall.
The nearby Scout Scar is a limestone ridge that’s just outside of Kendal town centre with uninterrupted views out to the surrounding fells – and in one direction you can see out to the coast and on the other, out into the Lake District National Park. This accessible walk requires minimal effort but provides maximum reward in terms of views.
Nearby locations
From Kendal’s hot tub lodges, guests can easily explore the wider Lake District. Nestled just a short distance from the shores of Lake Windermere, Bowness offers a charming assortment of boutique shops and captivating museums to captivate visitors. A leisurely amble towards the lake unveils the opportunity to embark on a picturesque cruise or relish the stunning panoramas from a traditional steam train.
Ambleside is another pretty village on the northern shores of Lake Windermere. While only small, this historic Victorian town is a popular choice for many tourists. You’ll find unique craft shops and cosy cafes as you stroll through, selling everything from local ales to homemade chocolates.
For a day trip to the coast, the area offers easy access to Morecambe Bay. On the shores of Morecambe Bay is Villa Marina, just a short drive away from Barrow-in-Furness. It overlooks the coast and is a good option if you ant to be within 30 minutes of the Lake District National Park while also benefiting from the coastal location and all its beaches.
Cultural enthusiasts can explore the historic houses and gardens scattered throughout South Cumbria. As a gateway to England’s beautiful Lake District full of sweeping, mountain vistas, small villages and charming market towns, Kendal is definitely worth a visit.
There are plenty of Kendal attractions to suit everyone from hikers to families and those seeking a rural romantic getaway in the UK.
North of England
Scotland
East of England
Heart of England
South of England
South West of England
Wales
