Things to do in Kendal
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Kendal Museum
Founded in 1796 by the inveterate Victorian collector William Todhunter, this mixed-bag museum features everything from stuffed beasts to medieval coin hoards (look out for the Alethiometer, from Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy). There's also a reconstruction of the office of Alfred Wainwright, the famous hill-walker and author of the classic Pictorial Guides, who served as honorary curator at the museum from 1945 to 1974.
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1657 Chocolate House
Got a sweet tooth? Then dip into this chocaholic honeypot, brimming with handmade candies and umpteen varieties of mint cake. Upstairs, waitresses in bonnets serve up 18 types of hot chocolate, including almondy 'Old Noll's Potion' and the bitter-choc 'Dungeon'. Take that, Willy Wonka…
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Museum of Lakeland Life
The Museum of Lakeland Life is opposite the Abbot Hall Art Gallery. This atmospheric museum retraces the region's past using reconstructed buildings, including an Edwardian street scene, and exhibits on local industries such as spinning, mining and bobbin-making. One room recreates the study of Arthur Ransome, author of Swallows and Amazons.
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Abbot Hall Art Gallery
Kendal's gallery houses one of the northwest's best collections of 18th- and 19th-century art; it's especially strong on portraiture and Lakeland landscapes. Look out for works by Constable, Varley and Turner, as well as portraits by John Ruskin and local boy George Romney, born in Dalton-in-Furness in 1734, and a key figure in the 'Kendal School'.
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Mint
Sleek and very chic, this designer bar oozes urban style, from its deep chocolate-coloured sofas to its shiny chrome fixtures and pared-back decor. There's free internet access and an early evening happy hour, but the real club action kicks in at weekends.
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Eclectic
Eclectic by name, eclectic by nature; this three-floored café-venue-bar has something of a split personality, with a funky beer and wine bar on the ground floor, a fusion restaurant on the first floor, and a private party room on the top level.
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Green Room & Vats Bar
The café-bar at the Brewery Arts Centre serves drinks, wraps and sandwiches during the day, and a more upmarket evening menu featuring crispy pizzas and hearty mains such as Grizedale venison and vegetable tian.
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New Moon
Kendal's best food is served at the fresh and funky New Moon, which takes the best Lakeland produce and gives it a zippy Mediterranean spin – roast duck breast in a five-spice-and-honey marinade, pork with Parma ham, hake with a pesto crust. The two-course Early Supper menu, served before 7pm, is great value at £9.95.
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Waterside Wholefoods
Kendal's veggies make a beeline for this lovely riverside cafe, a long-standing staple for chunky doorstep sandwiches, soups and naughty-but-nice cakes.
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Brewery Arts Centre
Excellent arts complex with two cinemas, gallery space, cafe and a theatre hosting dance, performance and live music.
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Ring O' Bells
For more traditional drinking, try the the Ring O' Bells, which stands on consecrated ground.
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Ring O' Bells
Another reliable town boozer where even the beer is blessed: the pub stands on consecrated ground next to the parish church.
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Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry
Opposite Abbot Hall, this museum recreates various scenes from Lakeland life during the 18th and 19th centuries, including a farmhouse parlour, a Lakeland kitchen, an apothecary and the study of Arthur Ransome, author of Swallows and Amazons.
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Grain Store
The buzzy bistro at the Brewery Arts centre is great for stone-baked pizzas and swish fish after dark, but it's just as good for a lunchtime wrap or a pre-show coffee.
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Burgundy's Wine Bar
Don't be put off by the wine bar tag – this is one of Kendal's cosiest places for a drink, whether you're after a quality Pinot noir or just a pint of ale.
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