Discover Cumbria and the Dales

With the Lake District National Park to the west and the Yorkshire  Dales National Park to the East Kendal is a great place to base yourself. Close to the M6 this market town has a great deal to offer people.

Kendal shops and market

Historically, Kendal was a "wool town" and many packhorse trails lead to Kendal, whose motto is "wool is our bread".  Kendal manufactured the famous "Kendal Green" cloth and also was (and still is) part of the snuff industry. The famous Kendal mintcake is made here too. Kendal castle was the birth place of Katherine Parr, wife of Henry VIII. More recently Kendal was known for "K's Shoes"  and there is a new "K's Factory Shop" to visit. There are museums and art gallleries and many interesting specialist shops, as well as one of the widest parish churches in England, with 5 aisles! Today Kendal is still a bustling market town, well placed for visiting the surrounding National Parks and the rest of Cumbria .

Kendal Castle

The Lake District National Park is on your doorstep. A short drive and you can be in the Kentmere Valley. This wonderful valley offers the keen walker a fantastic classic horseshoe walk. A drive to Windermere opens up the possibility of countless days out walking through the valleys and fells of this famous national park.

Kentmere

For those wishing to spend time on the water then you cannot ask to be in a better place. Windermere, the largest lake in the national park at 12 miles long offers a range of half, full day and multi day canoe trips. For those with some canoeing skills it is possible to paddle on a river. Close by is the River Kent which passes through the heart of Kendal. There are other rivers for all abilities to be found around the National Park.

Windermere

River Kent

Close to Kendal there is some great rock climbing on the limestone outcrops. For those wishing to climb on one of the famous Lakeland crags there are many to choose from especially in the Langdale Valley.

Raven Crag, Langdale

Rock Climbing

Many people head to the Lake District National Park just to enjoy the scenery, pretty villages, historic houses and other tourist attractions. Learn more about the fascinating history, culture and way of life in Cumbria through a Blue Badge Tourist Guide.

Once you have explored the Lake District there is also the Yorkshire Dales National Park to explore. With the Howgill fells and the Yorkshire Three Peaks there is walking to challenge all abilities and aspirations.

Walking in the Howgill Fells

If you fancy exploring the treasures hidden underground there are the show caves at White Scar or hire a guide to take you underground to one of the many cave systems in this area. The most popular trip underground is to Longchurns and its famous optional squeeze through the cheese press.

Long Churn Cave, "The Cheese Press"

For the climber there are a number of limestone outcrops to enjoy for a half or full day. If the weather is wet then Kendal has a fantastic climbing centre.

Kendal Climbing Centre

The Yorkshire Dales of course has many places to explore: Sedbergh with its historic school and many book shops; Dent with its old cottages and cobbled streets, home of the famous geologist Adam Sedgwick; Wharfedale and Wensleydale further to the east, and the many fells in the area such as Whernside, Penyghent and Ingleborough.  Take a ride on the Settle to Carlisle line and travel through the wilds of the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines - it is a really scenic journey and it is possible to stop off and walk between some of the stations too!

Dent Village

Eden Outdoor Adventures can help you explore and enjoy a range of activities in both National Parks. If you are looking for somewhere to stay we recommend West Barn.

West Barn

West Barn is a great B&B based just outside Oxenholme, Kendal. Suzanne offers a warm friendly welcome to her quality Bed and Breakfast. It has two double rooms, one en suite with shower and one with a private bathroom with roll top bath and shower.

Bathroom

Each room offers a comfortable stay with all the facilities you might need to make your stay perfect. For those wishing to have dinner then this can be provided if booked in advance. Food is sourced locally or grown in the garden to ensure it is fresh and full of flavour.

Local and home grown food

West Barn a real treat

If you still have energy left at the end of your day take a stroll from the door to the top of the Helm, a small hill above West Barn, which offers a fantastic 360 degree view of the Lake District National Park fells, Howgill fells, Yorkshire Dales and out to the sea and Morecambe Bay.

View from the Helm

So why not come and explore Cumbria and the Dales for a weekend or longer? Enjoy all the sights and activities these two National Parks have to offer!