home
Kendal Castle in the Lake District
Kendal Castle.
Welcome to the EDGE Guide to Kendal Castle. It is unclear when Kendal Castle was founded, there is another, (Castle Howe), in the town itself that is thought to have been constructed around 1087, only the motte, (an earth mound forming part of the defences of an early castle), remains.
Kendal Castle itself was in existance by 1184 when it passed by marriage to Gilbert Fitz Reinfred, and it is he who is responsible for its construction in stone.
Subsequent to Reinfred the castle had several owners: 1215 it was taken by the Crown but then given back to William de Lancaster, son of Gilbert; 1246, Peter de Brus; 1272, the Roos family; 1383, the Parr family; 1553 the Crown again, then back to the Parrs in 1559; 1571 back to the Crown.
By this time it was falling down. Not until 1813 was any work carried out to prevent further collapse.
The castle is now unfortunately a ruin, and not much survives,but has recently been awarded a sizeable amount of money by the National Lottery Millennium Fund, in order that it be further consolidated.
Kendal Castle is a pleasant place to visit, offering good views over the charming town of Kendal and makes a good place to picnic.
