Garden House Hotel
Kendal, Cumbria

This Grade II listed Georgian building (1812), retains many original Regency period features and is a home from home: a comfortable place in which to relax and unwind. Set in 2 acres of our own grounds, the hotel has a remarkably secluded feel and yet is only a 10 minute walk away from Kendal train station and the bustling town centre. The most striking of its original features is the grand, black marble fireplace, situated in the Residents' Lounge. The real fire gives a warming glow to the whole room and adds to the atmosphere for residents and non-resident diners alike. Catering for everyone from solo business travellers to young families, with traditional service and modern extras , the Garden House Hotel is Kendal's best-kept secret.

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Kendal is often seen as the Southern gateway to the Lake District, being only around 9 miles from Windermere and around 30 miles from Keswick. The other lakes are all within an hour or two's travelling by car from the town, as are locations for walks and rambles, both gentle and demanding. Kendal has, at various times in the past, been an important centre for trade and commerce. The town’s traditional trade was in wool, from which the town’s motto “Pannus mihi panis”, literally meaning “wool is my bread” was taken. There is also a strong link with the footwear industry, Kendal being home to the famous K-Shoes brand up until the factories ceased to operate around 2003. The warehouse on the edge of town now houses one of Kendal’s excellent shopping arcades.