Kendal

Kendal is a market town in the South Lakeland district of Cumbria, England, situated on the River Kent at the southern edge of the Lake District. It acts as an administrative and commercial centre for the area and has a population of around 28,000. The town has medieval origins and has held a market since the Middle Ages.

A prominent feature of Kendal is Kendal Castle, a hill-top ruin on Castle Hill dating from the 12th century, which reflects the town’s feudal past. The town’s historic core includes a range of listed buildings and churches, giving Kendal its distinctive market-town character.

Kendal’s economy today is driven by retail, tourism, and light industry, with the weekly market continuing as a focal point. The town is closely associated with Kendal Mint Cake, a mint-flavoured confection that became popular with hikers and climbers, and with events such as the Kendal Mountain Festival, which draws outdoor enthusiasts from across the region.

Kendal is well connected to the wider region by road and rail. Kendal railway station lies on the Windermere line, providing services to Oxenholme and Windermere and connections to national routes. The town has road links to the M6 corridor via the A65 and local roads, linking it to nearby towns and the broader Lake District.

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