Kendal’s full of independent shops, many family owned and run, alongside much-loved high street brands. It’s part of the great offer the town has for visitors and locals alike.

The charm of Kendal is its many ‘yards’. And one of the yards with a great food, drink and shopping offer is Wainwright’s Yard. Amongst the brilliant community of big brands and independent family businesses there’s fab eating and shopping to discover. You’ll also find parking, toilets and electrical car charging points.

At either entrance to the Wainwright’s Yard there’s a quick-read history board telling you all about this part of town.

You’ll find this one by the top level of the open air car park:

And this one if you’ve arrived on foot from the high street:

If it’s food and drink you’re after – for brunch, lunch and afternoon tea head to Pizza Express and Booths Artisan Café. If the weather is good sit out on the piazza at roof-top level with views across Kendal to the green open fellside. 

Pizza Express has a steady stream of seasonal food to get your taste buds going and right now is BBQ inspired.

If it’s retail therapy you have in mind find wardrobe essentials at Crew Clothing. A British brand that’s been perfecting the off-duty wardrobe since the early 90s. 

Inspired by its Salcombe coastal roots, the brand focusses on ‘less is more’, well-made key pieces – the cornerstone of every wardrobe. The result is a clever, versatile and distinctive off-duty wardrobe that’s easy to mix-and-match for men, women and children.

And there’s a great range of clothing for women, children and babes at independent lifestyle store Armstrong Ward. From well-chosen tops to dressing gowns and a delightful selection of leggings, dresses, cardis’ and much more for new-borns to toddlers. 

Set over two floors, in the Yard’s oldest building, Armstrong Ward also has loads of great buys for the home. They champion British made, from John Sankey and Emma Bridgewater to Neom organics, St Eval Candles and Amanda Coleman Jewellery. With local makers including Becca Hall illustration, The Little Lakeland Soap Company and Sedbergh soap.

For food shopping there’s the great northern grocery store Booths – and right now putting on a great northern bloomin welcome. It means you could be growing your own veg, from seed, and making the most of your green space with potted flowers and picnic ware.

Booths is also the place to grab a take-away, including a brew, to enjoy on the piazza.

A very planet friendly way to shop is what you’ll find at Another Weigh. You bring containers to fill with goods, over 400 lines of loose products to choose from, and pay for them by weight. The low-cost approach means you can do your bit for the planet and all profits go to charity. A truly feel-good way to do the weekly shop.

Lakeland Kitchen is another gem of a family run business with a showroom full of fantastic kitchen designs in Wainwright’s Yard. They’ll help you with the initial design right through to the supply and installation of your bespoke kitchen – from the modern to the classic. They’re super excited about a new unique kitchen range called BOSSA from German Supplier Leicht. Leicht is one of the top 10 German kitchen manufacturers and super stylish at that.