Attractions Around Kendal and District

Abbot Hall
one of country's best small art galleries in Georgian town house overlooking River Kent. Exceptional permanent collection of British art and imaginative exhibition programme of national importance. Coffee shop and bookshop. Small attraction. Open Mon - Sat at 10.30am-5pm £5.75, under 18s and full-time students under 25 free. Kirkland, Kendal LA9 5AL just S of town centre off the A6 by the Parish Church. 01539 722464 Museum of Lakeland Life In stable block behind Abbot Hall (separate entry). Edwardian street, 18th C kitchen, Arthur Ransome (Swallows and Amazons) collection including desk, costume collection, children's activities, shop, coffee shop. Small attraction. Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-5pm £4.75, children and full-time students £3.40, families (2 adults, up to 4 children) £13.60 Kirkland, Kendal LA9 5AL just S of town centre off the A6 by the Parish Church. Tel. 01539 722464
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Kendal Museum
one of country's oldest museums, founded 1796, collections of archaeology, geology, history, geography and natural history. Roman artefacts and A Wainwright original drawings in replica of his office in Kendal among many exhibits. Small attraction.Free admision. Open Wed-Sat 10.30 - 5pm last admission 4.30pm. Station Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6BT N of town centre opposite Kendal railway station. Tel. 01539 721374 Fax: 01539 737976
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Platform 3 Play
indoor play centre for children under 150cm/4ft 9in. 3-level play frame, tube slides, rope bridge, soft play, u4s designated area with ball pool, football area, separate party room; ILAM safety standards, annual safety audit. £3.50 per child unlimited time unless busy, then may be 2hr limit; u12 months free. Children's parties, after school club, mums/grandparents/carers and tots sterm-time weekdays. Cafe with healthy eating options and food made on premises. Free drink and toast during term time for paid admissions between 10.30am and 11.30am. School term times open Tue-Thu 10.30am-3.15pm, Fri 10.30am-6pm, Sat, Sun 10.30am-5pm,closed Mon, school holidays open every day Mon-Fri 10.30am-6pm Sat, Sun 10.30am-5pm. South end of Kirkby Stephen, just off A685 (South Road), turning by Croglin Castle Hotel, Unit 3 Station Yard, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4LA 01768
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Lakeland Wildlife Oasis
small zoo, tropical hall, butterfly hall, aquarium, walk-through aviary, interactive displays and microscopes, cafe, shop. Mid-size attraction. Open daily 10am £7.50, children 3-15 £5, pensioners £6, families (2 adults 2 children) £22.50, 3rd child £2.50 with family ticket. 2.5 miles S of Milnthorpe, 4 miles N of Carnforth on A6, M6 Junctions 35 or 36. Hale, near Milnthorpe LA7 7FE 015395 63027
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Lakeland Maze Farm Park
Puzzle barn, soft play, feed the animals, tractor rides, tampolines, go karts, pets' corner etc. Maize maze grows by early July. Mini maze opens Sat July 4, main maze Thur July 16. Open daily 10am-5pm £4.50, children 2 years and above and pensioners £3.75, families (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) £15, under 2s free. Mid-size attraction. Raines Hall Farm, Sedgwick, near Kendal LA8 0JH 3 miles S of Kendal, third of a mile E of Sedgwick on minor road under railway bridge. 015395 61760
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Sunsoar Paragliding Flying Centre
one of the UK's longest established and most successful schools can teach you to paraglide or let you have a taster session to see it you like the experience. 1 day taster; skim a few feet off the ground for a few dozen, or up to a few hundred metres and have a higher, longer flight in tandem with an experienced pilot £95. 2-day introductory course £295, elementary pilot course, 5 days, £595. Club pilot certificate course, 4-6 days, £750 using own equipment. Northern Paragliding Ltd equipment shop on-site. South Road, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4SY 0845 220 6066 . On A685 (South Road) between M6 junction 38 and A66, which runs through Kirkby Stephen. Building is next to Croglin Castle Hotel at south end of town.
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Quaker Tapestry
a celebration of 350 years of Quaker insights and experiences embroidered on 77 panels of specially woven wool cloth. Begun in 1981, 4,000 men, women and children in 15 countries have worked on it. Small attraction. Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, Kendal, LA9 4BH 01539 722975. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm plus Open Saturdays 11am-3pm July 4, 18, August 8, 22. Closed Sun and Bank Holidays. £6, concessions £5 children £2, families £12. Tearoom open Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm.

Lakeland Climbing Centre
Get your first taste of climbing on a beginners' course, taster session or with an experienced friend. Main hall has 18 metre wall, stalactite roof area, slabs and frequently changed 10m routes. Two bouldering rooms for all abilities. Many other features including multi-angled cave/roof area and undercut prow. Grooves, arêtes, hanging slabs, cracks, corners and bulges. All areas floored with thick fitted matting. Room dedicated to easier grades features laid-back walls and comfortable holds. Routes in easier grades incorporated into all areas of centre. Small to mid-size attraction. Open Tue-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat, Sun, Bank Holidays 10am-5pm. £8, concessions/u18s £7 or book instruction or taster session. Lake District Business Park, N edge of Kendal, LA9 6NH off A6 Shap Road. 01539 721766

Heron Corn Mill
working mill powered by 14ft waterwheel. Tours, flour for sale. Small attraction. Open Wed-Sun and Bank Holidays 11am-4pm Mill Lane, Beetham LA7 7PQ signposted just off A6 1 mile S of Milnthorpe, 8 miles S of Kendal Tel. 015395 64271
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Dent Village Heritage Centre
Former filling station housing huge collection of memorabilia displayed to illustrate life of dalesfolk from the past, the building of the Settle to Carlisle railway, farming and wildlife. Also information, walks for visitors. Small attraction. Daily 11am-4pm. Dent, near Sedbergh, LA10 5QJ Tel. 015396 25800
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Farfield Mill
working heritage looms used by master weaver David McDowell to create exclusive rugs, throws etc. Other weavers, artists and craftspeople also working, exhibiting and holding workshops; heritage machinery and exhibitions. Shop, cafe. Small attraction. Open daily 10.30am-5pm last admission 4.15pm £3.50, concessions £3, children free. Free to Sedbergh residents Tuesdays. Garsdale Road, Sedbergh LA10 5LW on the A684 Garsdale to Hawes Road 1 mile E of Sedbergh, signposted from town. Tel. 015396 21958

Sizergh Castle
Strickland family home for 750 years, medieval castle extended in Elizabethan times, gardens have lake and rock garden. Mid-size attraction. Garden open 11am-5pm, Castle 12 noon-5pm, last admission 4.30pm. Castle and Garden £6.80, children £3.45 families £17.05 (2 adults) £10.25 (1 adult, up to 3 children); garden only £4.45, children £2.25 under 5s free. Near Kendal LA8 8DZ Signposted off A590 at E end 015395 60951 email:
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Levens Hall
Elizabethan mansion with many treasures round a 13th C pele tower with world famous topiary gardens laid out in 1694, orchard, nuttery, herb garden, rose garden, fountain garden. Willow maze, under 12s play area, steam vehicles collection, shop, tea room. Mid-size attraction. Open Sun-Thur gardens and tea room 10am-5pm house 12 noon-4.30pm House and gardens £10.50, children 5-16 £4.50 families (2 adults 3 children) £26 under 5s free; gardens only £7.50/£3.50/£19.50 LA8 0PD on A6 5 miles S of Kendal 015395 60321
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Holme Open Farm
Hold touch and feed farm animals, learn about local breeds and traditional farming. Walks around 120 acres of farmland and nature trail including riverside and woodland areas to spot variety of birds and wildlife, riverside picnics and picnic barn in wet weather, children's play area. Fishing on River Rawthey (rod licence required), evening badger watch by arrangement. Mid-size attraction. SE edge of Sedbergh on minor road signposted from A683/A684/A65. Free admission to play area, nature trail, picnic area, car park, café and shop. Farm tours and fishing £3.50, children 3-16 £3, under 3s free. Open daily except Tues 11am-4pm 01539 620654