Kendal used to be a major stopping point for traffic heading south to the Lake District. Now it is bypassed by a major dual carriageway and, being somewhat easier to navigate, can be enjoyed for its own sake.
There are more places to stay than current traffic would justify, but it is an attractive town with numerous narrow yards and lanes branching off the main street. Kendal is also famous for its mint cake, the sugar-and-peppermint confection that has fuelled mountaineers on expeditions including the first ascent of Everest. Kendal Castle, birthplace of Catherine Parr, sits on a hill east of the town with fine views over the valley.
The town enjoys an association with the late Alfred Wainwright, whose illustrated guides to walking in the Lake District remain beloved classics. The Kendal Museum holds a gallery of his original drawings. The Abbot Hall Art Gallery has strong 18th and 19th century British works, and the Quaker Tapestry in the Friends Meeting House is one of the most remarkable collaborative artworks in England.