Visit the historic and picturesque market town of Kendal, the Gateway to the Lakes – an “auld grey town” hewn from local limestone.

About the Tour

Take in our spectacular 13th century Parish Church, ancient bridges, scenic castle ruins linking the town to Henry VIII and discover the secrets behind Kendal mint cake.

Explore the Lake District’s fascinating past at the Museum of Lakeland Life or in Kendal’s beguiling 18th century “yards”. Once home to the tanners, butchers, dyers, and other tradesmen whose houses and workplaces were crammed into the former gardens of the medieval houses of the rich, Kendal’s yards are a fascinating feature of the town.

For those with more time, Kendal offers a thriving arts and crafts scene, including the world renowned Quaker Tapestry, and Abbot Hall, a nationally acclaimed gallery displaying works by J M W Turner, John Ruskin, Barbara Hepworth and celebrated 18th century local artist George Romney.

There are beautiful walks through Serpentine Woods, out to Cunswick Scar for breathtaking views of the Lakeland Fells and Morecambe Bay.

And who wouldn’t love nearby Levens Hall – home to the world’s oldest topiary garden, black fallow deer and rare-breed Bagot goats?

Then there’s medieval Sizergh Castle, a National Trust property that’s been home to the Strickland family for more than 750 years, offering enchanting wildflower and water gardens and woodland glades full of birds and other wildlife.

This is a town with a lot of love in it – from the romantically named Finkle Street (literally “cuddle street”) to Noble’s Rest, a park on land bequeathed by a rich widow as a playground for children to play and tired parents to relax. When you’re ready for a break from sightseeing, there are lots of characterful teashops as well as green spaces for an outdoor picnic, live music, comedy and theatre.

Kendal also offers great shopping and is host to monthly farmer markets on the last Friday of each month.

Get your timing right, and join the locals at play. Kendal offers concerts for classical music enthusiasts all summer with Lake District Summer Music as well as outdoor live music every Sunday at the Brewery Arts Centre.

The town also hosts a number of vibrant street festivals, including the Unity Festival (June), Lakes Alive and the Torchlight Festival (September), the International Comic Arts Festival (October), and Kendal Mountain Festival (November).

Kendal is a fabulous place to stop on your way to Windermere and the Central Lakes, Edinburgh or London.

  • £150 (Half Day)  |  £250 (Full Day)

* Prices shown are for the guide fee only on a per tour basis (max. five people).

Enquiry Form

To find out more about the Hidden Kendal Tour, please complete the Enquiry Form below. It asks you some questions. Your answers will help us to tailor a tour itinerary that matches your interests and requirements.

We’ll share your tour itinerary and details of any additional costs (i.e. for lunch, travel and entry fees to attractions) when answering your Enquiry Form and before asking you to book your tour.



    NatureGreat ViewsGardens & Stately HomesArt galleries & museumsCafé & Pub CultureShoppingLocal HistoryLiterature


    5 minutes10 minutes30 minutesAn hour or more

    Images courtesy of www.visit-kendal.co.uk