endal is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Lakes’, due to its proximity to the M6 and the west coast main railway line.

Once a thriving centre of the wool trade, Kendal is steeped in history and full of old world charm. You can wander off the main street to discover narrow cobbled passages and old yards where leather tanning, spinning, weaving and cloth making once took place.

Over the years Kendal has been a main manufacturing town producing shoes, carpets, snuff and mintcake.

Positioned on a hill to the east of the river Kent, the imposing ruin of Kendal Castle offers excellent views over the town.

Built by William Rufus in the late 12th century, the castle is only a short walk from the town set amid pleasant leafy parkland.

The castle was a forfeit to the crown in 1215 by King John, but was restored in 1241 and was subsequently inherited by the Parr family. It is believed to have been the birthplace of Henry VIII’s sixth wife Katherine Parr (1512-1548).

Another impressive landmark is the 800-year-old Kendal Parish Church. Only three feet narrower than York Minster, its airy interior has five aisles allowing for larger windows that let the light flood in.

You will discover individual boutiques, traditional and contemporary jewellers and inspiring interior furnishing shops, as well as the high street favourites.

You can while away a rainy day perusing the shelves of the elegant lifestyle shops, whilst lovers of the great outdoors can take their pick from the town’s many outdoor shops, including Tog24, Mountain Warehouse and Millets.

At the southern end of the town is K Village that recently underwent a £100million redevelopment. Outlets include Clarks, Mountain Warehouse, Alexon, Lakeland Fine Leather and Denby. K shoes began manufacturing shoes for the masses in the 19th century and there is a heritage area dedicated to its history (01539 732363, kvillage.co.uk).

Kendal offers a tasty variety of food shops, local butchers, bakers and specialist delicatessens. Quaint tearooms and cosy coffee shops are also dotted about the town, often tucked away down crooked alleyways. If you have a sweet tooth, indulge in a hot chocolate at the famous 1657 Chocolate House. And don’t forget to stock up on supplies of Kendal Mintcake!

Kendal’s cultural venues are all in convenient walking distance of one another. Abbot Hall Art Gallery has fine collections of 18th, 19th and 20th century paintings and has regular changing exhibitions.

Opposite the gallery is the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry that takes you back in time to discover how our Lakeland ancestors worked and entertained themselves.

It’s refreshing to see that this traditional museum has avoided the make-overs of more modern museums and its recreated rooms are filled with the authentic atmosphere and the smell of beeswax polish.

The Brewery Arts Centre is the year round hub for art exhibitions, cinema (including 3D), gigs, dance, comedy and theatre. Housed in the old brewery, it has fine restaurants and bars including the unusual Vats Bar where you can have your pint sitting inside a giant beer barrel (01539 725133, www.breweryarts.co.uk).

Housed in the Friend’s Meeting House, the Quaker Tapestry tells the story of 350 years of social history in 77 embroidered panels. It offers fine vegetarian cuisine in its adjacent Tea Room (01539 722975, quaker-tapestry.co.uk) A walk beside the fast flowing river Kent will bring you to Kendal Museum, near to Kendal train station. Founded in 1796, it is one of the country’s oldest museums and is housed in a former wool warehouse. Alfred Wainwright was an Honorary Curator of the Museum and gave up his spare time for 30 years to look after the collections.

Sports enthusiasts will enjoy Lakes Leisure Kendal, which provides facilities for a large range of wet and dry sports. If you need some practice before heading out into the landscape you can have a go on the dry ski slope or visit Kendal Wall, a 20 metre high indoor climbing wall (01539 721766, kendalwall.co.uk).

Pop into Kendal tourist information centre and pick up a free ‘Kendal Cycling & Walking Map’, offering five different routes to do in a day around Kendal, Levens and the Lyth Valley (cyclefest.org.uk).

Head out of Kendal onto Scout's Scar to see magnificent views of the Kentmere Valley and across Morecambe Bay.

For those with a thirst for real ale, a trip to the nearby village of Staveley is a must.

You can sample real ales and local brews in the impressive setting of the Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall (hawkshead brewery.co.uk). Staveley is also the base for bespoke cabinet makers Peter Hall & Son (015395 821633, peter-hall.co.uk).

Travel just south of Kendal to visit Levens Hall or Sizergh Castle and foodies will enjoy stopping at Low Sizergh Barn, which boasts an award-winning farm shop brimming with local produce, cafè, gift shop and a working farm (015395 60426, lowsizerghbarn.co.uk).

TRAVEL By rail: First TransPennine Express offers a direct service to Kendal.

By road: M61, M6 exit junction, 36 (signposted Kendal).