Between Blackpool And Edinburgh Is A Charming Gateway To The Lake District With Craft Brews And Scenic Trails

Folks traveling through northwestern England are bound to end up at some point on the M6 motorway, the longest of its kind in the U.K. Perhaps they are wrapping up a seaside holiday in the resort town of Blackpool, or driving south after exploring Edinburgh's rich heritage. As the landscape on the M6 begins to unfold into lake-strewn valleys, impressive mountains, stone-walled fields, and grand woodland, the Lake District reveals itself. As it happens, the charming market town of Kendal in the county of Cumbria is just an hour's drive north of Blackpool and a perfect gateway for exploring England's largest national park.

Kendal sits right at the doorstep of the Lake District, home to England's principal lakes. Its dramatic 885 square miles have been a source of endless inspiration for renowned poets, such as William Wordsworth and John Keats, and served as the home of Beatrix Potter. For Kendal's inhabitants, the surrounding nature is their backyard, and they take advantage of it to the fullest, whether it is with a riverside stroll along the River Kent, which cuts through the town, or by heading out into the heart of the national park to hike its many trails. 

Kendal is also famed for its wool manufacturing since the 14th century, so residents know to dress the part for the windy, wet climate. Regardless of the weather, Kendal's streets abound with warmth and hospitality, offering many treasures to comb through. From galleries to museums and even its own castle ruins with sweeping views, Kendal's quintessential market-town character seeps through everywhere. You can easily fill a weekend exploring the town before heading out on a camping trip in the Lake District or heading back into civilization.

After a long drive, sitting down in a traditional English pub and enjoying an authentic and hand-pulled ale may feel like a warm hug, and Ye Olde Fleece Inn has been greeting weary travelers since 1654. Patrons' Google reviews of this seasoned establishment highlight the "good local ale" and a great selection of casks to choose from. The praise is easily justified, as Kendal upholds a reputation for its craft breweries, which you can visit in person for a tour and a tasting.

Over the Miller Bridge at Castle Mills, the Bowness Bay Brewing puts Kendal on the map by pumping out 8,000 gallons of craft beer a week, using the local Lake District water for its specialty ales and award-winning lagers. Its Barrel House taproom offers its full selection of beers that can be enjoyed at a bar made from a 200-year-old piece of oak, sourced from the brewery's original location. If you are interested in a more immersive experience of its inner workings, the brewery also offers two-hour tours for $26, with a tasting included.

As a new player in the Lake District since 2022, Lakes Brew Co. is at the forefront of local brewing culture, with "innovative and progressive" craft beers as its primary focus. Its colorful rotation definitely covers a wide range of flavors, such as IPAs, lagers, and even a peanut butter, praline, and dark chocolate Imperial Stout. The brewery welcomes guests monthly for its pop-up events that take place at its Mintsfeet Road South location. Its craft libations are available for purchase on site or at local retailers, such as Indie Craft Beer, which boasts a selection of roughly 200 varieties for your palate to discover.

Whether you are looking for a stroll close to town, a hike within a short drive, or a bigger loop to melt into the Lake District's landscape, Kendal is a haven of endless trails for all ages and levels of difficulty. If you wish to start low and end high while staying local, head out to the Serpentine Woods on the west end of Kendal. As the name suggests, 3 miles of woodland trails weave in and out of the greenery. Combine the stroll with a 30-minute walk heading east across town to the 13th-century ruins of Kendal Castle that crown the hill, offering a beautiful panorama of Kendal and the Lake District.

A 20-minute drive south from Kendal will take you to the whimsical hiking area of the Fairy Steps in Beetham. An atmospheric 6-mile hike will take you through open fields, woodland, and a fabled limestone crevice. According to legend, a wish can be granted by the fairies if you can pass through without touching the crevice's walls.

It would be considered a sin in Kendal not to visit Windermere, England's largest lake.  You can find it only a 15-minute drive away via the A591, with the Orrest Head fell viewpoint nearby serving as a perfect introduction to the Lake District's beauty. It was on this peak that author Alfred Wainwright had his seminal moment that inspired his lifelong dedication to the region and the eventual publication of his famed "Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells." From here, you can decide whether to backtrack to Windermere's charming town on the lake or continue on the 4-mile trail to Townend, with a full 8-mile trail extension available for a more challenging yet scenic loop through the Lakeland countryside.