Kendal is a traditional market town that is often described as the gateway to the lakes. It was the home of Alfred Wainwright 1907 -1991 a former borough treasurer who was inspired to record accurate guides of the Lake District fells. His guides have become the bible to fell walkers and the Kendal Museum houses a collection of items belonging to him and his many walks.
Kendal has 2 other museums, the Abbot Hall a Georgian building that houses an art gallery and Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry that has a number of house interiors from different centuries. Kendal is often described as the southern gateway to the Lake Dstrict. With a current population of around 28000 it was once the largest town in the historic county of Westmoreland although not the county town.
Kendal is situated to the East of the Lake District on the banks of the River Kent in a strategically important area. During the Roman period there was a fort built 2 miles south of the town to guard against raiders from the North. In the Domesday book the town was referred to as Cherchebi. Later the name evolved into Kirkby which means church town. In the valley of the River Kent are the remains of two castles. Castle Howe is the oldest and has the ruins of a Norman Motte and Bailey castle built around 1090. Kendal Castle was built around late 12th century and is associated with the Parr family that is probably best known for Catherine Parr, one of King Henry VIII s wives (although she has no connection to the town).
The main historical industry associated with Kendal is wool, which is included in the towns motto Pannus mihi panis literally wool is my bread. Other local manufacturing industries include K shoes (until relatively recently) and Kendal mint cake, the high glucose energy bar linked with mountaineering including the climing of Mount Everest. Other brands of Mint cake are found throughout the lake District, but Kendal was the first and best known (although it has been taken over by a rival firm). Kendal is also been associated with Tobacco and Snuff firm Gawith Hoggarth.
For its size, Kendal has an impressive range of buildings, with the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity being just a few yards narrower than York Minster. Mosof the church is 18th century, but the orginal was buil around 12th century.
Kendal museum and the Abbot Hall art gallery are also worth visiting as they have exhibits of a high quality for a small town.