"Once the home of Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's last wife, Kendal Castle is a beautiful ruin with amazing 360º views across the whole town."
Once the home of Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's last wife, Kendal Castle is a beautiful ruin with amazing 360º views across the whole town. It was built in the 12th century and you can see it from anywhere in Kendal. Once you're up there, you also get an impressive view of the parish church - the largest one in Cumbria.
Dickie's is a small music bar (and café-bistro by day) just off the High Street in Kendal. It's where we all cut our teeth as teenagers playing our first gigs and watching local bands. So if you like live music, it's definitely worth a look.
Brewery Arts Centre
This place is the mainstay of Kendal's cultural quarter. It's a music venue, bar, gallery and cinema all-in-one, and does some really cool events - not least our homecoming gig last Christmas! It also has a lovely patio with incredible views of the surrounding countryside, perfect for a drink in the summer.
Attached to a small local supermarket is this deli-come-café. It sells local specialist breads, cheeses, meats and sausages. It's a fantastic showcase of Cumbrian fare and you won't fail to find something amazing to eat.
Abbot Hall Art Gallery
A gallery which houses a real mixture of art: pieces by local artists, touring exhibitions and a good permanent collection, including works by Turner and, one of my favourites, Lucian Freud.
See them now
Catch Wild Beasts at Kendal Calling 2010