Kendal, the Southern Gateway to the Lakes, is a mediaeval market town with a good reputation for shopping. It is located on the banks of the River Kent. The stone ruins of 12th century Kendal Castle lie poised on a hill with views over the town, and its old cobbled roads and byways branch off the picturesque main street. Visit The Abbot Hall Art Gallery, which has a regular collection of portraits by George Romney, a Kendal native, as well as works by Turner and Ruskin, as well as other shows thanks to its connections with the Tate. Sizergh Castle and Levens Hall, with its fantastic Topiary Garden, are both close by, as are limestone escarpments with breathtaking views of the Lakeland Mountains, the Howgills, and Morecambe Bay. South Lakeland, the Yorkshire Dales, and beyond are all easily accessible from Kendal. Kendal is an excellent base for a quiet stay, with attractions such as Kendal Museum and the Museum of Lakeland Life, the interesting Quaker Tapestry, Lake Windermere, and the larger National Park all within easy reach.
