CASTLES KENDAL

Kendal Castle dominates the Lakeland town's skyline from its hilltop perch, built around 1200 as a seat of power for the barons of Kendal. The Norman castle later became the ancestral home of the Parr family, whose daughter Katherine became Henry VIII's sixth wife. Today, visitors can explore the atmospheric stone ruins and panoramic views across Kendal and the surrounding fells, with interpretation panels recounting its 200-year reign as a luxurious medieval stronghold. The site features a comprehensive guided audio trail and serves as an ideal picnic spot offering fresh air and local history in equal measure.

Sizergh, a National Trust estate near Kendal at the gateway to the Lake District, encompasses eight centuries of family history within its walls and grounds. The manor house showcases exceptional Elizabethan craftsmanship, most notably the Inlaid Chamber—internationally recognised as one of the finest examples of Tudor wood panelling—which was returned from the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1999 after decades away. The 647-hectare estate features extensive gardens including the National Trust's largest limestone rock garden, topiary yews, a mirror lake, orchards, and semi-natural woodland habitat. Visitors enjoy a café serving seasonal produce and access to collections accumulated by 26 generations of the Strickland family, all situated within 30 minutes of Lake Windermere's southern shores.

Castle Howe is a late 11th-century motte and bailey fortification strategically situated on a hillside overlooking Kendal and the Kent valley. The site features a distinctive round, flat-topped motte measuring approximately 18 metres across the summit, surrounded by the triangular bailey known locally as Battle Place. An obelisk erected in 1788 to celebrate the centenary of the English Revolution sits upon the motte summit, designed by Kendal-born architect Francis Webster. Today the well-maintained green space includes steps leading to the top, offering excellent views across the town and toward Kendal Castle in the distance.