Kendal Civic Society

Cloth, Shoes, Mintcake and Black Drop are goods that made Kendal famous, but walk the streets of Kendal and remember the businesses of your childhood - Bateman's toffee, Brennand's sausage, Rigg's bakery, Greenbanks vegetables, Briggs boot store, Tognarelli's and Peruzza's ice cream and the original Booths. Remember the incredible Kendal Cooperative Society stores . Walk back in time to discover the older merchants of Kendal.

'Tanning, Hardship, Ale Houses and Black Drop' Trace the historic links between the Market Borough of Kendal and Kirk Land, the original settlement belonging to the Church. View the surviving architecture, learn about tanning and related industries . Understand the social conditions endured in the South Highgate Yards. Time travel to Norman Kirkland to imagine its markets, fairs, ale houses and Maypole traditions.

Castle Howe, Kendal's first Norman Motte and Bailey Castle, stands on Kendal Fell and was probably the baronial centre of Kirkland until the Reformation. In 1788 a large obelisk, designed by Francis Webster, was erected on the summit of the Motte to celebrate the centenary of the Glorious revolution of 1688. It now overlooks what was a Victorian bowling green. Kendal Fell was also the site of Beast Banks, the first animal market and slaughter area. Higher up the fell there were Tenterframes where Kendal's wool was stretched to dry and be spun. At the summit Serpentine woods is a leafy labyrith of trails and mystery.

'The Black and White' Take a linear walk along the old horse tow paths of the Kendal Canal and be reminded of leisure boats, the famous Aquatic Procession and the industry of bygone times. Discover the canal's history, architecture, wharfs and construction methods. Understand the role of navigators, promoters and the tremendous boost to Kendal's economy at a time of national downturn and political upheaval.

'Inkwells, Bare Knuckles and the 3 RS' Relive the memories of wooden floors, school prayer, warm school milk, Boys and Girls entrances, inkwells, blackboards, playground fights, the cane and the 3 Rs. The Victorian era created an explosion of opportunity for children 5 -13 with the 1870 Education Act. Visit the old school buildings of Kirkland, Dean Gibson, Central (National), Stramongate (Quaker), Castle Street (St Georges) and Kendal High School. Add your own tales to the narrative!

'Pastors, Priests and Friends' Discover Kendals' fascinating religious history of Monks, Reformation, Recusants, Quakers, and Non Conformist groups. All of them contributing to the spiritual and economic development of the town. Visit long forgotten sites and hear the echoes of the towns religious past. Finish the walk in the quiet calm of the Unitarian Chapel gardens.

Cloth, Shoes, Mintcake and Black Drop are goods that made Kendal famous, but walk the streets of Kendal and remember the businesses of your childhood - Bateman's toffee, Brennand's sausage, Rigg's bakery, Greenbanks vegetables, Briggs boot store, Tognarelli's and Peruzza's ice cream and the original Booths. Remember the incredible Kendal Cooperative Society stores . Walk back in time to discover the older merchants of Kendal.

Castle Howe, Kendal's first Norman Motte and Bailey Castle, stands on Kendal Fell and was probably the baronial centre of Kirkland until the Reformation. In 1788 a large obelisk, designed by Francis Webster, was erected on the summit of the Motte to celebrate the centenary of the Glorious revolution of 1688. It now overlooks what was a Victorian bowling green. Kendal Fell was also the site of Beast Banks, the first animal market and slaughter area. Higher up the fell there were Tenterframes where Kendal's wool was stretched to dry and be spun. At the summit Serpentine woods is a leafy labyrith of trails and mystery.