landmark
Bowness-on-Windermere
The busiest lakeside town in the National Park, the departure point for Windermere steamers and home to the World of Beatrix Potter.
12 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Kendal
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Kendal
Kendal works well as a base: 15 minutes from Staveley, 14km from Lake Windermere.
Kendal is in England, United Kingdom, with about 29,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Staveley, about 7 km away.
Kendal, once Kirkby in Kendal or Kirkby Kendal, is a market town and civil parish in the Westmorland and Furness area of Cumbria, England, just outside the Lake District. It lies within the River Kent's dale, from which its name is derived.
In the Domesday Book of 1086, the area was collected under Yorkshire. TheRead more
area came under the Honour of Lancaster before the barony split. The town became the Barony of Kendal's seat, in 1226/7 this barony merged with the Barony of Westmorland to form the historic county of Westmorland with Appleby as the historic county town. In 1889, Kendal became the county town. Under the 1974 reforms, it became the administrative centre of the South Lakeland district. The town became Westmorland and Furness district's administrative centre in a 2023 reform.
It is 8 miles (13 km) south-east of Windermere and 19 miles (31 km) north of Lancaster. At the 2011 census, the town had a population of 28,586, making it the second largest town in Westmorland and Furness after Barrow-in-Furness. As of the 2021 Census, its population was 29,593. It is renowned today mainly as a centre for shopping, for its festivals and historic sights, including Kendal Castle, and as the home of Kendal Mint Cake. The town's grey limestone buildings have earned it the sobriquet "Auld Grey Town".
Where to Stay in Kendal
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kendal?
Within an hour or so of Kendal: Bowness-on-Windermere (12 km), Lake Windermere (14 km), Hill Top, Near Sawrey (Miss Potter) (15 km), Esthwaite Water (16 km).
Are there any good drives near Kendal?
The nearest famous roads are Kirkstone Pass, Kirkstone Pass and The Struggle and A591 Windermere to Keswick.
Where is Kendal?
Kendal is in England, United Kingdom, about 7 km from Staveley.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 29,147
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 54.3268, -2.7476
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Kendal
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Lake Windermere
England's largest natural lake, stretching over 10 miles through the heart of the Lake District with stunning mountain backdrops.
14 km · about 25 min drive
film location
Hill Top, Near Sawrey (Miss Potter)
Beatrix Potter's farmhouse in the Lake District, used in Miss Potter and the source of her illustrated landscapes.
15 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Esthwaite Water
A small, fertile lake between Windermere and Coniston, near Beatrix Potter's Hill Top farm at Near Sawrey.
16 km · about 30 min drive
museum
Lakeland Motor Museum
Riverside museum at Backbarrow with 30,000 exhibits including 140 classic vehicles and a dedicated exhibition on the Campbells' Bluebird land and water speed record machines.
17 km · about 20 min drive
waterfall
Stock Ghyll Force
A 21 m waterfall reached by a short woodland walk from the centre of Ambleside, once powering the town's mills.
18 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Ambleside
A stone-built town at the head of Windermere, known for the tiny Bridge House straddling Stock Ghyll and as a walkers' base.
18 km · about 20 min drive
mountain pass
Kirkstone Pass
The Lake District's highest motor road, topped by an ancient inn and sweeping views over Brothers Water.
19 km · about 20 min drive
Driving roads near Kendal
15 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- 19 kmKirkstone PassThe Lake District's highest motor road, topped by an ancient inn and sweeping views over Brothers Water.
- 19 kmKirkstone Pass and The StruggleThe Lake District's highest pass road at 454m; the 'Struggle' from Ambleside is a 1-in-4 climb to the Kirkstone Pass Inn.
- 25 kmThe Old Man of ConistonA 803 m fell rising directly above Coniston village, scarred by centuries of copper and slate workings and topped by a wide summit cairn.
- 25 kmWhernsideThe highest point in Yorkshire at 736 m, forming the long whaleback ridge above Ribblehead Viaduct.
- 27 kmWrynose PassA wild mountain pass connecting the Langdale and Duddon valleys with panoramic views of the central Lake District fells.
- 27 kmLangdale PikesThe jagged skyline of Harrison Stickle, Pike o' Stickle and their neighbours above Great Langdale, one of the Lake District's defining silhouettes.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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