Half term in Kendal

Where better to spend February half term than in South Lakeland?

Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town. It was probably built in the late 12th century as the home of the Lancaster family who were Barons of Kendal.

The best known family associated with the castle was the Parr family; including Queen Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of King Henry VIII of England. Her family had lived at Kendal since her ancestor Sir William Parr married the heiress of Kendal, Elizabeth Ros, during the reign of Edward III of England. By the time Catherine Parr was born, the family had long deserted the castle which was already falling into disrepair.

Views over Kendal and then looking north
 

Then a short walk along the Kent and some "synchronised eating"

The following day we went on a ten mile walk from Staveley up Potter Fell

Starting at the weir near Staveley's Church, we set off to climb Brunt Knott via Elfhowe and Ghyll Bank

Potter Fell has four major summits, two of which are Brunt Knott and Ulgraves.

Looking east towards Whiteside Pike

We lunched near Nether House Farm

View over Kendal from Potter Fell

There are a number of tarns on Potter Fell, including Gurnal Dubs - a popular place for recreational fishing

Potter Tarn supplies water to Croppers Paper Mill in Burneside and its flow is moderated by a concrete dam.

Our destination was Bowston Hall Farm - and a welcome cup of tea

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the "new" school building. The original school building was approaching a hundred years old and in need of maintenance and repair.

In the early 60's a new school building had been under discussion for some time. Mr A H Willink had left a legacy for a new church school in the village. On 20th June 1962 a service was held on the new site for the school to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone by Miss Margaret Cunningham. The building was completed and officially opened on 14th June 1963.

Hawkshead Brewery was founded, by Alex Brodie, in July 2002, in a 17th century barn at Town End Farm, at the head of Esthwaite Water, just outside Hawkshead, on a second hand 7 barrel brew plant which came from the Border Brewery at Berwick-upon-Tweed.

However  the brewery grew so fast that in 2006 they had to move across the lake (Windermere) to Staveley, at the foot of the Kentmere Valley.

The brewery's "brew length" - the quantity that can be produced per brew - is twenty 36 gallon barrels. Their capacity has increased from 30 barrels a week to 180 barrels of beer per week. 

Further details can be found at Hawkshead Brewery

Overall, a very enjoyable half term break