Located in the town of Kendal in Cumbria are the ruins of the 12th Century Kendal Castle. Mum and I went on a lovely walk along the river and then up to the castle ruins before Dad picked us up. It is a beautiful location but may not be overly accessible for those with mobility issues.
The History of Kendal Castle
As I mentioned previously, Kendal Castle was built in the 12th century as a home for the barons of the town. Like many of the castles that I have talked about on my blog, this one has also undergone a transformation since its creation (and I do mean before it fell into ruin!). After all, it was originally only a motte and bailey castle after the Norman invasion and the ruins that are seen today are stone.
It became an impressive structure in the mid-13th century, where it had six towers and a dry moat to protect itself from intrusion.
How Kendal Castle Fell into Ruin
If, like me, you know a fair bit about the Tudor period in England, you might just recognise the name Parr as in Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth wife. It was actually the Parr family who were responsible for the castle falling into disrepair, meaning that contrary to popular belief it is unlikely that Katherine was born at Kendal Castle.
Sir Thomas Parr (Katherine’s father) was ambitious just like his father, however instead of focusing on the castle and his lands, Thomas turned his attention to court and moved closer so that he could spend more time there. As a result, Kendal Castle began to be neglected, his lands diminishing with his lack of focus on the tenants, and he fell into debt.
Kendal Castle (and other Parr estates) were actually forfeited to the crown when Sir William Parr (Katherine’s brother) committed treason by plotting the coronation of Lady Jane Grey.
With the continued destruction of the castle, stone was “borrowed” from the structure to aid in building the town’s structures.
Kendal Castle Today
In 1897, as part of the celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, the Kendal Corporation bought Kendal Castle for “public enjoyment”.
Since then, they have been working on landscaping, repairs and information boards to provide visitors with a safe, informative and scenic location. The site now also includes wooded walks and sculptured seats on the route up from Sunnyside/Parr Street.
There is also an audio trail that can be downloaded for your visit. We didn’t know about it before visiting and found the information panels informative, but if you prefer to listen to information rather than reading it, this is definitely an option for you.
Our Experience
So, we approached Kendal Castle via a footpath on Castle Road, which meant we had the opportunity to climb the hill through a field and look across at Kendal town. We were lucky enough to have chosen a beautiful day with clear blue skies giving us views for miles on all sides.
Mum and I took our time exploring the ruins, climbing up certain structures and standing in what, if memory serves, was the kitchen with high stone walls. We also explored the moat a little (although we didn’t dare climb down into it!).
After we’d read all the information and finished our exploration, we walked down one of the wooded trails to meet Dad at Sunnyside/Parr Street. He’d tried to walk up to us, but it had been too steep, so he’d taken a seat on one of the beautifully placed benches available.
Conclusion
We really enjoyed our walk up to and around Kendal Castle. It was a lovely route with beautiful views and a lot of history (which you know I’ll always enjoy!)
I wouldn’t recommend visiting if you are struggling with your mobility as it will be a bit of a challenge for you. But if you’re looking for a lovely picnic spot or somewhere to spend time outside surrounded by historical walls, this is the place to do it.
Through Sarah's Words 
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