iKnow Lake District
Kendal Tourist Information Abbot Hall Art Gallery Quaker Tapestry
Kendal is a great place to start an exploration into the themes, social history, art and culture of the Lake District, primarily because of it's rich array of art galleries and museums. For introductions to artist George Romney, fell wanderer extraordinaire Alfred Wainwright and author of 'Swallows & Amazons' Arthur Ransome. Check out the Kendal and Lakeland Life museum and the superb Abbot Hall Art Gallery! Kendal itself was once a centre for the woollen industry and it's character and shape is marked by this. Plenty of cobbled yards!
Kendal Tourist, Information Centre, Town Hall, Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4DL. General Enquiries, Tel 01539 725758, Advance Booking Service, Tel: 01539 725758, By Fax: 01539 734457. Get your FLY FISHING DAY PERMIT at Kendal Tourist Information.
Abbot Hall Art Gallery
There is some real pleasure to be had in this Georgian house, now an art gallery housing an array of art from the 18th, 19th and 20th century, with adjacent arts and crafts house, Blackwell, just next door. Local themes abound with some stunning views of Windermere by P J de Loutherbourg on the Georgian styled ground floor which houses the 18th century art. Also here are some fantastic George Romney works, including the enormous portrait 'The Gower Family: The Children of Granville, 2nd Earl Gower', c. 1776-77. This oil on canvas is compelling indeed, and practically covers one whole wall of the gallery.
There's a selection of 40 drawings and watercolours by John Ruskin, and watercolours by artists such as Constable. 20th century treats include works by sculptures Barbara Hepworth and prints by Picasso, Matisse, Braque, Henry Moore and David Hockney. Don't miss this superb gallery in Kendal, it really is one of the best in the North West. There is also here in this art gallery a small collection of Kurt Schwitters' work, including 'Flight'.
Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AL. Tel. +44 (0) 1539 722464. Blackwell Arts and Crafts House is adjacent to Abbot Hall
Quaker Tapestry in Kendal
Set in the Friends Meeting House in Kendal, which dates from 1816, the Tapestry celebrates the ideas and experiences of Quakers since the Religious Society began in 1652 in Swarthmoor Hall, near Kendal. You'll find no less than 77 different tapestries on display here, plus an array of costumes, a gift shop, and a tea room. Workshops run regularly and there's step free access which is good news.
After you're visit here it's well worth visiting nearby Swarthmoor Hall in Ulverston near Kendal. Check out their website for a history of the Quaker Movement in the area. George Fox visited many times, spreading his radical belief at the time that people could speak directly to God, rather than through the hierarchy of the established powerhouse of the Christian church.
The Quaker Tapestry, Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4BH, England, UK. Telephone/Fax: +44 (0)1539 722975
