Wondering what’s on over the summer holidays for families? Check out our What’s On guide.
Sitting just outside the eastern edge of the Lake District National Park, Kendal has long been known as the ‘Gateway to the Lakes’. The town lies to the southeast of the Lake District, just 1 mile outside the National Park boundary, which still sparks the friendly debate about whether it truly counts as part of the Lakes or not. Whichever side of that argument you sit on, there’s no denying Kendal is a good base for easy access to Lake District family adventures, and holiday accommodation here is often cheaper than at Bowness-on-Windermere, a 20-minute drive into the National Park.
Originally a market town that grew around the wool trade, Kendal later became famous for its Kendal Mint Cake, but there’s far more to it than sweet treats. Alongside its rich history, you’ll find a thriving cultural scene, regular events and festivals, and plenty of green space to explore.
Here are our top recommendations for things to do in Kendal with kids.
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When planning your visit to the National Park, please arrive early or late in the day to avoid crowds if visiting over sunny weekends or school holidays. Please also take all litter home with you, don’t bring BBQs, and park your car in designated parking areas.
1. Brewery Arts Centre
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The Brewery Arts Centre is a hub for arts and entertainment in Kendal, with a cinema and theatre offering everything from family films to live performances. It also hosts creative activity days, along with art, drama, and music sessions for children and adults. Regular exhibitions showcase local and national artists, adding to its cultural appeal. On site, there’s also a restaurant with a popular weekday pizza deal. Full listings and booking information for screenings and activities can be found on their website.
2. Kendal Castle
Although it’s a ruin, it’s definitely a ruin worth visiting. Dating back to the 13th century, it was once home to Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII.
You can reach it on foot from Kendal town centre or via the housing estate behind Castle Hill. The climb is fairly steep, but it’s free to access and well rewarded at the top. The entrance gives a sense of how the castle would have once looked, before you step into the ruins themselves and explore at your own pace. It’s also lovely to loop around the perimeter, tracing where the moat once stood. On a good day, it’s a great picnic spot, with open space outside the grounds for kids to run around.
3. RagTag Arts
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Ragtag Arts Centre is both a community arts hub and a scrapstore, making it a brilliant stop for families with creative kids. Set in Kendal town centre, it hosts regular art clubs and works closely with the local community to create artwork for events and festivals throughout the year.
It’s also an ideal rainy-day option. Visitors can settle in with a hot chocolate, pick up affordable crafting packs made from repurposed materials, and spend a relaxed couple of hours getting creative. Next door, the scrapstore is a particular highlight, where children can fill a basket for a small fee and choose from a wide range of recycled craft supplies to take home.
4. Explore Serpentine Woods
Serpentine Woods is a lovely green escape within Kendal itself, sitting high on the western side of town with views over the rooftops below. It can be reached on foot from the town centre or via short-stay parking on Queens Road.
The woods are criss-crossed with well-marked paths, including the Alphabet Trail, which loops around the entire wood and finishes back in the centre. The trail starts just off Queens Road, where you’ll find a QR code to download the map, or you can simply photograph the map at the entrance before setting off.
5. Kendal Summer Trail
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The Kendal Summer Trail is a brilliant summer activity for families visiting the town. Each year, local businesses across Kendal take part in a themed trail, with maps available to pick up from designated points around town.
Families follow the route through the centre, spotting letters, characters, or clues displayed in shop windows and completing small challenges as they go. Many participating businesses also offer ‘trail treats’ for children who come in with the map, adding an extra bit of incentive along the way.
It’s a fun way to explore Kendal on foot while supporting local shops. Having a small bag on hand is a good idea for any little prizes collected along the way.
6. Kendal Snowsports Club
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Kendal Snowsports Club is a volunteer-run centre offering skiing and snowboarding lessons (dry ski slope) for all ages and abilities . The season typically runs from the end of September through to Easter, with a mix of structured lessons, open sessions, and freestyle sessions available during weekdays and weekends.
Visitors are welcome to join as non-members, and equipment can be hired on site if needed, making it an easy way to try snow sports while in the area. A popular choice for families is the Sunday morning session, where everyone can practice together in a relaxed setting.
7. KendalWall
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KendalWall is Kendal’s dedicated indoor climbing centre and a brilliant active option for families with children aged 5+. It offers a range of fun, structured climbing experiences designed for all abilities. It’s also an excellent rainy day option in Kendal with kids.
You’ll find drop-in style sessions like Crazy Climb, plus Taster Sessions that introduce the basics in a relaxed, family-friendly way. There are also regular coached sessions and clubs, along with Family Supervisors Inductions for those who want to climb independently with their children.
8. Walk up Scout Scar
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Scout Scar is a striking limestone escarpment just outside Kendal, known for its wide-open views across the Lake District fells. It can be reached on foot from the town or by driving to the nearby designated car park.
The landscape here is distinctive, with exposed limestone pavements and sweeping scenery that make it feel far wilder than its proximity to town suggests. The Scout Scar walk is relatively straightforward but runs along a cliff edge, so extra care is needed with children, especially in windy or wet conditions.
A popular family route is the short walk from the car park to Th Mushroom (a view point), which makes a perfect halfway stop for a rest and snack while taking in the views.
9. Low Sizergh Barn
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Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop & Cafe sits just south of Kendal and is a working farm with a well-regarded farm shop and café. It’s a great family stop, combining good food with space for children to explore.
A farm trail runs through the surrounding fields, leading families through a willow tunnel, woodland paths, and over small streams. Maps for the trail, including characters to spot along the way, can be picked up from the farm shop.
The adventure begins next to the tractor by the car park, which is a firm favourite with children before or after the walk. It’s also a nice place for adults to grab a takeaway coffee while the kids get ready to explore.
10. Visit Outside-In
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Outside-In is a lovely semi-soft play space where children can explore freely while parents relax with a cuppa. Designed like a miniature town, many of the play areas are inspired by Kendal landmarks, adding a fun local twist.
It’s best suited to toddlers and younger primary-aged children, but older siblings up to around 10 are also welcome. It works especially well as a rainy-day activity in Kendal.
11. Visit Kendal Museum
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Kendal Museum is a small but fascinating museum combining local history, natural science, and world wildlife. It’s easy to explore in an hour or two.
Kids will love the crystals and the famous polar bear, along with the mix of hands-on and visual displays. It’s a simple, low-key option for a rainy day.
12. Kendal Leisure Centre
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Kendal Leisure Centre is a great all-weather option for active families, with a mix of sports, swim sessions, and teen-friendly activities.
For older children (11–17), there are Inflatable Zone and Junior Gym sessions, running after school on weekdays and throughout the day at weekends, with extended hours during school holidays. The centre also offers court sports such as short tennis, badminton, and pickleball.
In the pool, Family Fun Swim sessions run during weekends and school holidays, with floats and mats available for a relaxed, play-focused swim time.
13. Join a festival
Kendal has more than its fair share of festivals, offering something for all ages throughout the year.
Kendal Calling is one of the Lake District’s most popular summer music festivals for families, with a dedicated Woodlands area featuring storytelling, crafts, circus skills, science workshops, theatre, and fairground rides in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. Also in the summer (July), the Kendal Family Festival offers live music, entertainment, food, and drinks for all ages.
Just outside town, the Westmorland County Show in September celebrates farming, food, and rural life. The Kendal Mountain Festival in November brings adventure films, talks, and a lively Basecamp with family activities and stalls.
Dates vary each year, so check official listings when planning your visit.
14. Sizergh Castle
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Sizergh Castle is a National Trust property south of Kendal (15-minute drive) offering beautiful gardens, extensive grounds and plenty of family-friendly walks. Children can follow nature trails, explore woodland and spot wildlife while adults admire the historic house and centuries of family history. Seasonal activities often add extra interest for younger visitors.
Families should make a beeline for the Wild Trail, which is separate from the castle and gardens, and one of the best free activities in the Lake District for kids! Follow the woodland trail with clues and natural play areas.
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