Notes from the host
Sunnyside Apartment
Summary:
This ground floor apartment is in a lovely green part of town a stones throw from the castle and great walks. Close to cinema, restaurants, cafes and bars. It has everything you need to enjoy a self catering holiday. Families welcome and a travel cot is available, we are also allowing pets.
The Space:
Our three roomed ground/lower ground floor apartment is beautifully located in an end of terrace Victorian house at the foot of the Castle Hill in the market town of Kendal. It's in a quiet neighbourhood surrounded by trees and greenery but only 5 minutes walk along the river bank from the town centre and its traditional pubs, bars and restaurants.
You can walk up to the castle ruin, perfect for evening sunsets and enjoy panoramic views of the Lake District hills and the town. Or take a stroll along the river to the Abbot Hall Art Gallery and Museum of Lakeland Life.
The apartment is furnished with a mix of antique and modern furniture. It has two double bedrooms and one sitting room with a double sofa bed. There is a TV/DVD player in the living room. The kitchen is fitted with everything you need to enjoy a home from home stay such as oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher and washing machine. There is a bathroom which has a bath with shower over.
Kendal is known as the gateway to the Lake District but has lots to offer too, from micro breweries to theatre. The Brewery Arts Centre has a music venue, theatre and cinema screens as well as bars and a restaurant - see what's on there by going to breweryarts website. The pubs in town offer an eclectic mix of local ales and live music to suit all tastes.
A small town with a big heart, in November Kendal hosts its annual Mountain Festival. Each year it welcomes thousands of outdoor enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate mountain culture and adventure in film, lectures, art and literature.
‘Kendal' is the biggest event of its type in the world and it's the main social event for outdoor enthusiasts in the UK. With hundreds of film screenings including high-profile premières plus plenty of speakers and special guests making this Festival a must-do long weekend in the Lake District. For more info visit the mountainfest website.
Throughout the Summer and in early September Lakes Alive put on numerous free events. These events are great family occasions involving drama and spectacle. You can find out about the programme of events from Lakesalive website.
The International Festival of Comic Arts is an annual event in Kendal. Some of the best known Graphic Novel artists come from all over the world to give talks, workshops and demonstrations about their art form. There are exhibitions, book/comic signing, question and answer sessions as well as films during the weekend. See the internationalcomicartfestival website for details.
There are also various food and beer festivals which you can find out about on the cumbriacamra website.
You
I had great times being a guest through airbnb before I began hosting and I want my guests to have a great time being here too. I like meeting people and finding out about their lives and travels. I live separately so guests can relax and enjoy the privacy of their own home from home. But I'm also only next door so I'm usually on hand to offer advice about places to go or if you need help or there is anything which needs sorting out. I also have friends who help me with cleaning and they are close by too if by any chance I'm out of town.
Kendal is a market town on the edge of the Lake District. It isn't very big but it's safe and it's pretty with a river running through it and plenty of greenery and tranquility at the castle ruin. There's plenty to do and an active art, music and beer scene with a number of microbreweries. Plus the all the that the Lakes has to offer is on the doorstep.
Kendal has two excellent and renowned annual festivals.
The International Comic Arts Festival in October which again involves the whole town and celebrates all things graphic, cartoon and animé
The Kendal Mountain Festival in November for those interested in the outdoors and climbing, film, photography and other cultures.
Also look out for Lakes Alive annually at the beginning of September.
Houghton House is about 5 mins walk from the centre of town and 10mins from Kendal train station. If you're driving there is roadside parking outside the house.
Kendal is easily accessible from the M6 and has a mainline rail station Oxenholme Lake District with direct trains to London Euston 2.5 hours. There is a local rail link, 5 mins to Staveley (which has a nice pub the Eagle and Child) and about 15 mins to Windermere. There are also regular buses and boats to take you into the heart of the Lakes. Check out the Mountain Goat website and Stagecoach for timetables.
Guest Access:
There is a key in the key safe to right of the front door and I will communicate clearly the details guests need for arrival and for a comfortable stay. I'm available on my mobile or by email and on the occasions I'm not around I have help on hand in case of problems.
The Neighborhood:
Kendal is a market town on the edge of the Lake District. It isn't very big but it's safe and it's pretty with a river running through it and plenty of greenery and tranquility at the castle ruin. There's lots to do and an active art, music and beer scene with a number of microbreweries. Our nearest bar, a microbrewery called The Tap is just 5 minutes walk away. Plus all the that the Lakes has to offer is on the doorstep.
There are three excellent and renowned festivals.
The Annual International Comic Arts Festival in October which again involves the whole town and celebrates all things graphic, cartoon and animé
The Kendal Mountain Festival in November for those interested in the outdoors and climbing, film, photography and other cultures.
Also look out for Lakes Alive which is an arts festival with a line up of events across the Lakes and cantered in Kendal which takes place at the beginning of September.
Getting Around:
Houghton House is about 5 mins walk from the centre of town and 10mins from Kendal train station. The apartment is just below the castle for lovely walks and views. If you're driving there is roadside parking outside the house.
Kendal is easily accessible from the M6 and has a mainline rail station Oxenholme Lake District with direct trains to London Euston 2.5 hours. There is a local rail link, 5 mins to Staveley (which has a nice pub the Eagle and Child) and about 15 mins to Windermere. There are also regular buses and boats to take you into the heart of the Lakes. Check out the Mountain Goat website and Stagecoach for timetables.
Other Things to Note:
We try to make sure tea and coffee are available in the apartment. But this is self catering accommodation, guests arriving on a Sunday please keep in mind that the supermarkets close at 4pm. There is a Tesco express in town which is open daily until 11pm and there are one or two convenience stores which are usually open until 9pm but they only sell basics.
No Parties
No Smoking
Pets are welcome - Please be aware that the dog are not allowed on the furniture or beds, left in the house alone for a long period of time.
Interaction with Guests:
This is self catering accommodation with its own access so guests have complete independence to come and go as they please. I'm usually on hand either in person or by phone to offer advice about places to go and if you need help or there is anything which needs sorting out. I also have friends who help me with cleaning and they are close by too if by any chance I'm out of town.
