Kendal has a lovely way of slowing you down. Known as the “Auld Grey Town” for its limestone buildings, it sits on the River Kent at the south-eastern edge of the Lake District, with a castle on one hill and fells on the horizon. In autumn, when the riverside trees turn gold, it makes a wonderful day out.
Whether you’re after history, gardens, markets or a walk with big views, there are plenty of things to do in Kendal this season, and most of them sit within a few miles of each other.
And when the light starts to fade, The Swan Hotel & Spa in Newby Bridge is around 25 minutes’ drive away, with Holte Spa, a warm fire and a delicious dinner waiting.
The Best Things to Do in Kendal This Autumn
Autumn suits Kendal beautifully. The summer crowds have thinned, the riverside paths are glowing with colour, and the best Kendal things to do sit a short walk apart, with a café never far away if the weather turns.
Here are the ten we’d put at the top of your list:
- Explore the ruins of Kendal Castle
- Visit Abbot Hall Art Gallery and Kendal Parish Church
- Wander the historic yards
- Browse Kendal’s markets and pick up some Kendal Mint Cake
- Discover Sizergh’s autumn gardens
- See the famous topiary at Levens Hall
- Take in the views from Scout Scar
- Stroll through Serpentine Woods
- Follow the River Kent to Sizergh
- Finish with a twilight spa and dinner at The Swan
Planning a longer break? Our guide to the Lake District in autumn covers the best colour spots and seasonal events across the wider Lakes.
Make The Swan Your Base for a Kendal Day Out
Spend the day exploring Kendal’s castle, yards and gardens, then come back to somewhere a little calmer. Tucked away in Newby Bridge at the southern end of Windermere, our cosy rooms, riverside spa and award-winning dining are the perfect place to unwind after a full autumn day out.
Book A StayKendal Attractions: The Castle, Abbot Hall and the Historic Yards
The heart of Kendal is small enough to explore on foot, and many of the top things to do in Kendal sit within a short walk of each other.
1. Explore the Ruins of Kendal Castle
Built in the 13th century on a grassy hill above the River Kent, Kendal Castle was once home to the Parr family, ancestors of Catherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth wife. It’s free to explore at any time, and the short, steep climb rewards you with views over the rooftops to the fells. Our guide to Lake District castles has more to discover.
2. Visit Abbot Hall Art Gallery and Kendal Parish Church
Abbot Hall is an elegant Georgian house by the river, home to portraits by George Romney, who trained as an artist in Kendal. It reopened in 2023 after a major redevelopment and is perfect for a drizzly afternoon. Next door, Holy Trinity is one of the widest parish churches in England, with five aisles.
3. Wander the Historic Yards
Narrow passageways lead off Highgate, Stricklandgate and Stramongate, many still marked with their old yard numbers. They once held the workshops of Kendal’s wool trade, famous enough for Shakespeare to mention “Kendal green” cloth in Henry IV. Today they hide independent shops, cafés and quiet courtyards, making them one of the best free things to do in Kendal.
4. Browse Kendal’s Markets and Pick Up Some Mint Cake
The outdoor market fills the Market Place every Wednesday and Saturday, with an indoor market from Monday to Saturday and a farmers’ market on the last Friday of each month (Visit Kendal). While you’re there, pick up some Kendal Mint Cake, which famously went up Everest in 1953.
Places to Visit Near Kendal: Sizergh, Levens Hall and Scout Scar
Some of the best things to do near Kendal sit just outside the town. Sizergh and Levens Hall are a few miles south, right on the way back towards Newby Bridge, while Scout Scar lies just to the west.
5. Discover Sizergh’s Autumn Gardens
This National Trust manor house has been home to the Strickland family for 26 generations, and its rock garden, lake, kitchen garden and orchard are at their best in autumn. The garden is usually open from 10am to 5pm and the house from 12pm to 4pm (National Trust), and the café is perfect for lunch.
6. See the Famous Topiary at Levens Hall
Levens Hall’s topiary garden was laid out from 1694 and is thought to be the oldest in the world, with clipped yew and box in wonderfully unusual shapes. The house and gardens are usually open daily until early November (Levens Hall), and Levens Kitchen stays open until the end of December.
7. Take in the Views from Scout Scar
For a proper Lake District view without a long hike, head to this limestone ridge on Kendal’s western edge. A short, steep path from the car park on the Underbarrow road leads to views across the Lyth Valley to the Coniston fells and the Langdale Pikes (Lake District National Park). Look out for “the Mushroom” shelter, and bring a layer, as it can be breezy.
Lake District Walks Near Kendal
There are plenty of Lake District walks near Kendal that start right in town, and autumn brings crunchy leaves underfoot and quieter paths.
8. Stroll Through Serpentine Woods
Just above the town centre, this peaceful network of woodland paths on Kendal Fell turns copper and gold in autumn. It’s a short climb from the shops, and a good one for little legs too.
9. Follow the River Kent to Sizergh
The National Trust’s riverside route runs for about 5.5 miles from Kendal to Sizergh, finishing with lunch at the café. It’s a linear walk, so plan a lift back, or try Sizergh’s 1.2-mile Holeslack Access Trail for something shorter. Pack a waterproof and keep an eye on the time, as daylight fades sooner in autumn. For more routes, see our guide to the best walks in the Lake District.
Things to Do Near Kendal After Dark: Spa and Dinner at The Swan
Set beside the River Leven in Newby Bridge, about 25 minutes from Kendal, The Swan is the perfect calm base for a day out in town and a peaceful evening to finish.
10. Finish with a Twilight Spa and Dinner at The Swan
Warm up at Holte Spa, named Best Spa at the Boutique Hotelier Awards 2025, with an outdoor Finnish sauna, a Vitality Pool at 36 to 38°C and The Bothy’s crackling log burner. Our Autumn Spa & Stay, from £150 per person, includes bed and breakfast, a two-hour Twilight thermal experience and a 30-minute Holte Spa treatment.
Afterwards, sit down to a seasonal three-course dinner made with local produce in The River Room, or settle into The Swan Inn for British classics and Cumbrian ales.
Make Your Kendal Day Out Feel Effortless
Planning a trip to Kendal this autumn? Make The Swan your base. Set in Newby Bridge, our boutique rooms and luxury cottages are perfectly placed for days out in Kendal, Sizergh and Levens, with comfort, great food and a slower pace waiting when you return.
Book a Stay
Unwind After a Day of Exploring
After market wandering, garden paths and a blustery walk on Scout Scar, Holte Spa is the perfect place to switch off. With thermal journeys, an outdoor Finnish sauna, cosy relaxation spaces and The Bothy’s log burner, it’s an easy way to turn your day out into a proper escape.
Explore Holte Spa
Looking for More Things to Do?
From paddleboarding and riverside walks on site to Windermere boat trips and family days out nearby, The Swan makes it easy to add a little more to your autumn break.
Explore Things To DoKendal, Lake District: Planning Your Day Out
Kendal sits just outside the Lake District National Park boundary, which is why it’s often called the gateway to the Lakes. Here’s how we’d fit the best things to do in Kendal into a calm autumn day:
- Morning: Catch the Wednesday or Saturday market, then wander the yards.
- Late morning: Walk up to Kendal Castle, or pop into Abbot Hall if it rains.
- Afternoon: Head south for lunch and the gardens at Sizergh or Levens Hall.
- Evening: Be back at The Swan by dusk for the spa and dinner.
Visiting in November? Kendal Mountain Festival brings films, talks and outdoor adventurers to town (Visit Kendal), so book ahead. Kendal is around 25 minutes’ drive from The Swan via the A590, and for more seasonal ideas, see how to get cosy in the Lake District this autumn.
From castle ruins and historic yards to autumn gardens and big views from Scout Scar, there are so many things to do in Kendal this season. Make The Swan your base, and come back each evening to Holte Spa, a delicious dinner and a cosy night beside the River Leven.
Ready to plan your Kendal day out? Book your autumn stay at The Swan today.
Book Your Autumn StayThings to Do in Kendal FAQs
What are the best things to do in Kendal?
The best things to do in Kendal include exploring the 13th-century Kendal Castle, visiting Abbot Hall Art Gallery, wandering the historic yards and browsing the market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Just outside town, Sizergh, Levens Hall and Scout Scar are all within about 5 miles.
Is Kendal worth visiting in autumn?
Yes. Autumn is one of the best times to visit Kendal, with quieter streets, colourful trees around Castle Hill and the River Kent, and cosy cafés for wet afternoons. Levens Hall stays open until early November, and Kendal Mountain Festival comes to town each November.
What is Kendal famous for?
Kendal is famous for Kendal Mint Cake, which went up Everest in 1953, and for its “Kendal green” wool cloth, mentioned by Shakespeare. It’s also known as the “Auld Grey Town” for its limestone buildings, and for Kendal Mountain Festival, which has run since the 1980s.
What attractions are near Kendal?
Popular attractions near Kendal include Sizergh, a National Trust house and garden a few miles south, and Levens Hall, home to a topiary garden laid out from 1694. Scout Scar is about 2.5km west of the town centre, and Windermere is around 20 minutes’ drive away.
Are there easy walks near Kendal?
Yes. Serpentine Woods is a short climb from the town centre, and the Scout Scar path is about 900m each way from its car park. At Sizergh, the 1.2-mile Holeslack Access Trail is suitable for most abilities, and the 5.5-mile River Kent route links Kendal with Sizergh.
How far is The Swan from Kendal?
The Swan Hotel & Spa in Newby Bridge is around 15 miles from Kendal, about a 25-minute drive along the A590. Sizergh and Levens Hall sit just off the same road, so they’re easy to visit on the way back.
