The castle was built in the early 1200's as the home of the barons of Kendal and their centre of administration and defence. The barons were important national figures, playing a significant role in national politics and the wars with Scotland and France. They had a big influence on the development of Kendal.
The Parr family is the best known of the baronial families. Willam del Parre founded the family fortunes around 1400 although he was a convicted murderer! His heir, also called William, died in 1483 and was the last member of the Parr family who lived at the castle.
The most famous member of the Parr family was Katherine Parr - the sixth and last Queen of Henry VIII.
During the Tudor period the castle became a ruin and has remained so ever since.

What To See

Most of the castle wall survives along with one of its towers. From the bottom of the dry ditch the most important building in the castle and parts of it remain to a significant height. Below are the vaults, two of which stand complete. The recent excavations have revealed much more of the manor hall, including two more vaults, staircases and passages within the walls.
Within the large courtyard there was a chapel, well and other buildings for storage and keeping animals. The area was also used for gatherings of tenants or the mustering of soldiers.

Safety

Please take care.Ancient monuments can be hazardous. It is dangerous to climb on the walls. Low walls can have steep drops on the other side.

Museum Display

At Kendal Museum an impressive new exhibition tells the story of the castle, its people and life of the town. There are exciting displays showing medieval objects, reconstruction of the castle, computer displays and activities such as coin rubbing and piecing together a medieval floor or a coat of arms.
The museum is normally open mornings and afternoons, every day from mid February, dec.For exact opening times ring 01539 721374.

Centenary Project

In 1897 Kendal Corporation brought Castle Hill for "public enjoyment" to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. One hundred years later a major project has been carried out, supported by many organisations and individuals.
The project involved repairs to the castle masonry, landscaping improvements and new information displays on the site and at Kendal Museum. Most exciting has been the further excavation of the manor hall with new lengths of wall now revealed.

Castle Hill

Castle Hill shows the way the flowers of lakeland have evolved though the years. In the summer it blossoms with wild flowers and natural life. It overlooks Kendal with stunning views of surrounding mountains. It is preserved to an outstanding level because feudal barons used it as parkland which ensured an uninterrupted history of grassland cover.
It has spectacular views of Kendal and the surrounding areas of the Kent Valley, the Pennines and south towards Morecambe Bay. North of the castle there is a panorama panel which names the northern fells.

Sculpture Seats

The sculpture seats by the artist Alain Ayers were commissioned specially for this site.
They create a link between the way the land has been formed naturally through immense forces and shaped by human activity in a relatively short period. They sit like erratic boulders carried and deposited by an ice flow.
The selection of the stone and the cutting of the seating ledges in the boulders reflects the realationship between the natural and the built environment.

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