Kendal

Kendal, located in Cumbria, is a market town of some 30,000 inhabitants. It describes itself as "The Gateway to the Lakes". Kendal is a picturesque, moderate sized town with plenty of shopping and a surprisingly low level of tourist activity.

• By Bus - National Express runs buses to Kendal; Stagecoach's 555 (or X55) service links Lancaster and Kendal with Keswick.
• By Train - Kendal has its own train station, one stop (3 km) beyond Oxenholme on the branch line to Windermere. Trains run hourly until 2145 weekdays, 2045 weekends.
• By Car - Kendal is easily accessible via the M6 motorway (Junction 36 from the south or 37 from the north)

• On Foot - Kendal is smallish and interesting enough to be a pleasure to stroll through.

• The Brewery Arts Centre is a notable place to visit.
• The River Kent flows through Kendal.
• The Kendal Parish Church is an interesting building to wander through.

• The Scout Scar - a hike in the hills to the east of Kendal. Information available from the tourist information shop. Map and guide 45p.
• Museums - Kendal has a number of museums, the most notable of which are Abbot Hall Art Museum and the Quaker Tapestry Museum

• Kendal has a multitude of small boutiques and shops that could probably take up at least half a day of browsing.

• Kendal has produced a local delicacy called the Kendal Mint Cake. It was created in 1936 and was used as an energy bar on the 1953 expedition that climbed Everest for the first time. Romney's Homepage

Chang Thai Restaurant, Stramongate. Excellent and inexpensive Thai restaurant. A favourite with locals. They also operate a Thai takeaway in Kirkland close to the Abbott Hall

• Kendal YHA

• Kendal mint cake!- enough said • Dan W.
• Kendal is often seen as the Southern gateway to the Lake District, being only around 9 miles from Windermere and around 30 miles from Keswick. The other lakes are all within an hour or two's travelling by car from the town, as are locations for walks and rambles, both gentle and demanding. Kendal … • Miranda S.
• My favourite place in Kendal is the 1657 Chocolate House, which is a beautiful building probably built in the 1930's. The cobbled streets outside are also awesome. I remember this place from my childhood, and it's so fantastic I plan to go back there this year! I hope they still sell toasted tea … • Morwenna H.