KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
Now, This is the social event of the year for outdoor enthusiasts! Kendal Mountain Festival is a four-day celebration of outdoor culture: films, speakers, literature and art. The most diverse festival of its type in the world, it brings together filmmakers, adventurers and lecturers in the uniting aim of inspiring more people to explore, enjoy and represent mountains, wilderness and their cultures.
With basecamp held, every year at the Brewery Arts Centre just next door to Kendal Hostel who couldn’t ask for a better location than that!
The next Kendal Mountain Festival will be held 19th-22nd November 2020
LAKELAND CLIMBING CENTRE
This friendly climbing wall welcomes locals and visitors for sessions, lessons and family activities. Boasting England’s tallest leading wall at 25 metres, Kendal wall has a wide variety of routes for every ability – even ‘CrazyClimb’ sessions for kids and an exciting Via Ferrata-style indoor arial adventure.
SERPENTINE WOODS
Winding pathways give Serpentine Woods its name, and there’s so much fun to be had.
Looking over Kendal, Serpentine Woods was originally grazing land on Kendal Fell. In 1790 the land was planted with trees and as time went by the woods were maintained as an area of enjoyment for the people of Kendal.
Kendal Wool Gathering
It was the wool trade which breathed life into Kendal’s historic yards, and drew many people to live and work in the town. Kendals motto – ‘Pannus mihi panis’ means ‘Cloth is my bread’. And cloth making really was the town’s bread and butter for over 600 years. If you look at our coat-of-arms, you can see the signs of the story – the illustration features teasels (which were used for raising the fabric’s nap) and bale hooks (which were used for handling bales of wool and cloth).
With the Kendal Wool Gathering celebrating its eighth year, this year you will find mixes demonstrations, fun activities and displays, all connected to the cloth on which the town’s wealth was built.
The Gathering has cemented itself as one of the major events in our area and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the country. Once again, a large number of exhibitors will be bringing a huge variety of quality goods including yarns, dyes, crafts, art, accessories, tools, felting, crochet, patterns, carpets, looms, spinning wheels and more.
Enjoy the food court and explore the large marquee for livestock, where you can meet a variety of sheep!
Kendal’s Wool Gathering will take place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October 2020 at Kendal Leisure Centre which is only 10-15 minutes walk from the hostel
LOW SIZERGH BARN
Discover every day staples and foodie finds in the 17th century barn farm shop, explore crafts and gift galleries, watch the cows being milked whilst sampling treats from the tearoom menu, or join Sizergh Barn for a farm trail through beautiful countryside.
Kendal Walking Festival
Kendal makes a superb base for those who enjoy walking. Surrounded by beautiful scenery it offers a wide variety of walking experiences. It’s a 5-minute drive into the Lake District National Park and 20 minutes from the Yorkshire Dales.
England’s largest and deepest lakes and its highest mountains are within easy reach. The scenic Cumbria Coastal Way and the Dales Way both pass close to Kendal. Popular walking places in Lancashire are also only an hour away. It’s quick and easy to get here – we are close to the M6, most trains on the West Coast Mainline stop at Oxenholme (Lake District) and Manchester and Liverpool airports are about 1.5 hours away.
The town, once home to Britain’s most famous walk writer A Wainwright (AW), has a lot to offer in itself, whether you’re looking for culture, nature, history, shopping, eating or drinking. With its bus and train links you don’t even need o use a car.
Our 4th Walking Festival (8th to 11th May 2020 unfortunatley propostoned due to COVID-19) offers an opportunity to explore this wonderful town, with its roots embedded so deeply in the peaceful landscapes that surround it. The festival has something for everyone regardless of his or her walking capabilities. And while you are here, why not stay on a few extra days and sample the nearby castles, gardens, and other attractions.
Lakes Comic Festival
Each year Kendal holds the Lakes International Comic Art Festival where the town comes alive with creativity that all ages can enjoy, in venues throughout the town. The Kendal Hostel is ideally situated for this event as we are only 300 yards from Kendal town centre with one of the main attractions being the Brewery Arts Centre just next door and the Shakespeare centre only a couple of minutes walk away!
The festival features international comic artists and creators, as well as live drawing events, film, exhibitions, comic trails, performances, workshops, masterclasses and family zone activities. Visitors have the chance to get up close and personal with some of the world’s best known comic artists and writers – seeing them create, hearing them speak and being inspired by an enthusiastic crowd.
We are excited to announce that the festival will be returning this year with confirmed dates of Friday 9th October – Sunday 11th October 2020.
Kendal Torchlight
Kendal’s Torchlight Carnival is just such an experience. Each year swarms of poeple hits the streets to watch the procession, which has traditionally involved local businesses, schools, organisations and clubs. From decorated floats and all manner of vehicles, to dancing troups and marching musicians, it’s always so much fun to see what our creative community has come up with each year.
In 2020 Kendal Torchlight will hold it’s 50th Procession! The theme for 2020 will be ‘Think Global & Act Local’.
