Kendal lies 20 miles north of Lancaster in the county of Cumbria. This attractive town on the River Kent is home to Kendal Castle, now a ruin which stands on the hill offering wonderful views over the town. The Abbot Hall Art Gallery, set in an attractive Georgian House, holds major art exhibitions and the Museum of Lakeland Life is situated in what was once the stable block of Abbot Hall. Next to the art gallery is the 18th Century Holy Trinity Parish Church, which has been a place of worship since the 13th Century and is Cumbria’s largest church.

The town is also home to the Brewery Arts Centre and Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, one of the oldest museums in the country and houses displays of local and global historical archaeology. Other places of interest include the Quaker Tapestry Exhibition. The tapestry is the creation of more than 4000 people in 15 countries and illustrates 300 years of social history.

Kendal has arguably the best range of independent and specialist shops anywhere in the Lake District, and they are complimented by a growing number of high street stores like Beales the new look department store. There are two shopping centres here, which include the Westmorland Shopping Centre, the only covered shopping centre in the Lake District, and the Elephant Yard Shopping Centre. Art galleries, and quaint tea rooms can be discovered in surrounding historic yards. Within easy reach of the town, on the banks of the River Kent is the K Village Outlet Centre, renowned for its designer labels and low prices.

The Farmers Market is held on the second Friday of every month at the Market Place and can be recognised by its distinctive blue and white canopy. Local produce is sold here, ranging from organic fruit and vegetables, fish, eggs and meat. The outdoor market is also held in the Market Place and takes place every Wednesday and Saturday and the indoor market at Westmorland Shopping Centre is held from Monday to Saturday.

With so much to see and do in Kendal you must come and visit.