Plane, train or automobile...
TRAINOxenholme - The Lake District railway station is Kendal’s closest mainline train station. Once you’re there, hop on the quick connection to Kendal station - it is a 5 minute walk to Kendal town centre from here. Plan your train journey using the National Rail website.
BUSKendal Bus Station is on Blackhall Road, right in the centre of town behind the Westmorland Shopping Centre.
Kendal is well seviced by local bus services from neighbouring towns and cities (for example the Stagecoach 555 bus connects Kendal to Lancaster and Carnforth to the south and Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick to the west). For more information on buses take a look at South Lakeland Bus Timetables or plan your bus journey using Traveline.
Scheduled National Express coaches also travel to Kendal with only a short walk from the bus station to the festival venues. For more information take a look at National Bus Timetables.
CARKendal can be very busy during the Festival weekend so we strongly recommend using public transport (it is also less stressful and better for the environment). If you do choose to drive then Kendal is 15 minutes from Junction 36 on the M6 and 20 minutes from Junction 37. You may also wish to park elsewhere and use public transport for the final part of your journey to Kendal.
For parking options see Car Parking in Kendal and list of car parks in Kendal.
There is very limited parking available in the immediate vicinity of the Brewery Arts Centre and Town Hall (Highgate). Rather than setting your Sat Nav for the centre of town (and potentially getting stuck in traffic on Highgate or around the one way system) we recommend you point yourself towards a car park / location further away and enjoy a short stroll/bus/taxi ride to the Festival. Please always be respectful when parking and remember that the ongoing support and success of the Festival relies on the goodwill of local residents.
CAR RENTALCo-wheels is the only independently-owned national car club, providing low emission, hybrid and electric cars on a pay-as-you-go basis for organisations and communities across the UK. Located in Kendal Oxenholme and Staveley. Info
BIKEKendal has plenty of places to park your trusty steed - look out for bike racks all around town.
In addition to the cycle racks, there are 20 free to use secure bike boxes which can be used up to 24 hours at a time. These are located at:
Marks & Spencers car park – 5 boxes, own bike lock required
Westmorland Shopping Centre / Blackhall Yard – 5 boxes, own bike lock required
Better Kendal Leisure Centre, Burton Road – 10 boxes, keys available at the centre’s reception
PLANEKendal is easily reached by car from Manchester and Liverpool Airports. There is a regular train service from Manchester Airport taking just an hour and a half.