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5-star hotels in Kendal
This shortlist gathers the 5-star hotels in and around Kendal, from a town-centre house to manor stays and countryside cottages. It is for travellers who want a high-standard base for the town, the Lake District and the fells.
Staying in Kendal
Kendal is a historic wool town on the River Kent and a practical gateway to the Lake District National Park, which lies a short drive or bus ride to the west. Visitors come for Kendal Castle, the Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry, the Quaker Tapestry Museum, the shops and markets, riverside walks, and Kendal Mint Cake, the sugary confection long carried by climbers. The town centre is compact and walkable, with the castle, museum and river all within reach on foot.
The hotels on this list do not all sit in the centre. Beech House Kendal is on Greenside, 0.5 km from the centre, in the heart of town. Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse, on Burneside Road, and Sprint Lodge at Burneside keep you 2.6 km and 3.9 km out. Grange Manor on Hampsfell Road and Walker Ground Manor at Hawkshead are the furthest, 17.3 km and 16.6 km away. The Punch Bowl Inn at Crosthwaite and Ellerbeck Bridge at Underbarrow sit in between. Couples, families, golfers and business travellers all find something here; a short break works best with a town-centre or Burneside base.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Walker Ground Manor
Vicarage Lane Hawksheadcumbria La22 0Pd, Kendal, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereWalker Ground Manor sits in Hawkshead, 16.6 km from Kendal, and pairs its 5-star status with a garden and terrace for quiet outdoor time. Guests can play tennis on site or go fishing, and horse riding is also available. Rooms are non-smoking, with bathrobes and toiletries provided, and free wifi and free car parking make the stay easy. It suits travellers who want space, sport and a countryside setting rather than a town-centre base.
See Walker Ground ManorGrange Manor
Hampsfell Road, Kendal, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereGrange Manor is a 5-star address on Hampsfell Road, 17.3 km from Kendal, with a jacuzzi and garden among its facilities. A golf course is available and the beach is nearby, so days can move between green and shore. Guests can take breakfast in the room, and pets are allowed. With bathrobes, slippers and toiletries in the bathrooms plus free wifi and free car parking, it fits couples and guests travelling with a dog.
See Grange ManorCarus Green Golf Club Townhouse
Carus Green Golf Club Burneside Road Kendal, Kendal, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Spa
- Free car parking
- Lounge
Why stay hereCarus Green Golf Club Townhouse puts a golf course, a spa and a restaurant in the same 5-star property, 2.6 km from Kendal. The townhouse setup includes a kitchen or kitchenette with dishwasher, microwave and oven, plus a lounge, which suits families or groups wanting self-catering space. Pets are allowed, there is a bar, and free wifi and free car parking are provided. Evening dining and a banquet room add to the range of options on site.
See Carus Green Golf Club TownhouseBeech House Kendal
40 Greenside Kendal La9 4Ld Uk, Kendal, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Internet access
Why stay hereBeech House Kendal is the closest of these 5-star options to the centre, 0.5 km away on Greenside, which makes it the natural pick for guests who want to be on foot in Kendal. The facilities are deliberately simple: complimentary items, internet access, and free car parking. It suits travellers who value a central position and parking over extensive on-site amenities, and who plan to spend their time in the town rather than at the property.
See Beech House KendalThe Punch Bowl Inn
The Punch Bowl Crosthwaite, Kendal, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThe Punch Bowl Inn is a 5-star inn at Crosthwaite, 6.1 km from Kendal, with a bar and restaurant on site and a garden and terrace for warmer days. A 24-hour front desk, concierge and wake-up service keep things running smoothly, and family rooms are available. Special diets can be catered for, and there are picnic areas too. Free wifi and free car parking complete the picture for guests touring the area by car.
See The Punch Bowl InnEllerbeck Bridge
4 Brookfield Underbarrow, Kendal, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereEllerbeck Bridge at Underbarrow, 3.8 km from Kendal, is a 5-star self-catering property with a kitchen including dishwasher, microwave, oven and refrigerator, plus a fireplace for cooler evenings. A garden and golf course are available, and fishing is possible nearby. Cots and high chairs are provided, and pets are allowed, so it works well for families with young children or guests bringing a dog. Free car parking is included.
See Ellerbeck BridgeSprint Lodge
Burneside, Kendal, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereSprint Lodge in Burneside, 3.9 km from Kendal, is a 5-star house with a kitchen, fireplace and garden, plus free wifi and free car parking. The kitchen comes with a dishwasher and washing machine, which suits longer stays and families. A cot is available and rooms are non-smoking. It is a practical choice for guests who want their own space and cooking facilities close to Kendal rather than a serviced hotel room.
See Sprint LodgePuddle Duck Cottage
Puddle Duck Cottage_X000d_Brigsteer_X000d_, Kendal, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay herePuddle Duck Cottage near Brigsteer, 3.9 km from Kendal, is a 5-star self-catering cottage with a kitchen, washing machine and dishwasher, plus a garden. Fishing is available and horse riding is nearby, giving days a countryside focus. Free wifi, free car parking and a garage are provided, and the property is non-smoking. It suits guests who want a quiet base with their own cooking and laundry facilities within easy reach of Kendal.
See Puddle Duck Cottage
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walker Ground Manor | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 16.6 km |
| Grange Manor | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | 17.3 km |
| Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | 2.6 km |
| Beech House Kendal | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 0.5 km |
| The Punch Bowl Inn | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 6.1 km |
| Ellerbeck Bridge | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | 3.8 km |
| Sprint Lodge | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 3.9 km |
| Puddle Duck Cottage | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | 3.9 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
The Punch Bowl Inn has family rooms and a restaurant, so meals are easy with children. Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse offers a kitchen, kitchenette, dishwasher, cot and lounge. Sprint Lodge and Ellerbeck Bridge add kitchens, washing machines, cots and gardens, giving families self-catering space and room to spread out.
The Punch Bowl Inn · Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse · Sprint Lodge · Ellerbeck Bridge
For pet owners
Grange Manor, Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse and Ellerbeck Bridge all state that pets are allowed. Grange Manor pairs this with a garden, patio and golf course nearby, while Ellerbeck Bridge has a garden, fireplace and kitchen. Carus Green adds a spa and restaurant on site, so pets and owners are both catered for.
Grange Manor · Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse · Ellerbeck Bridge
Closest to the centre
Beech House Kendal is 0.5 km from the centre, the shortest distance on this list. Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse follows at 2.6 km. Ellerbeck Bridge and Sprint Lodge are 3.8 km and 3.9 km away, still close enough for a quick run into town while keeping a quieter setting.
Beech House Kendal · Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse · Ellerbeck Bridge · Sprint Lodge
For golf and leisure
Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse sits at a golf club and adds a spa, bar and restaurant. Grange Manor has a golf course, jacuzzi and beach nearby. Walker Ground Manor offers a tennis court, fishing and horse back riding, plus a garden and terrace for slower afternoons.
Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse · Grange Manor · Walker Ground Manor
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Kendal is reachable by road via the M6 motorway, with junctions 36 and 37 serving the town. Oxenholme Lake District railway station, about 2 miles from Kendal town centre, is on the West Coast Main Line, with direct trains to London, Glasgow and Manchester. Bus services link Kendal with nearby towns and villages including Windermere and Ambleside. In town, the centre is compact and walkable, local buses reach the surrounding areas, taxis are available, and cycling is popular on quieter routes.
When to go
Late spring to early autumn is the best window, when the weather is mild and the days are longer, ideal for exploring the Lake District. Summer can be busy, especially in July and August, so May, June and September give pleasant conditions with fewer crowds. Winter is cold and wet, but the town is quieter and its attractions stay open.
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to Kendal town centre?
Beech House Kendal is 0.5 km from the centre, the shortest distance on this list. Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse is 2.6 km away, and Ellerbeck Bridge and Sprint Lodge are 3.8 km and 3.9 km out.
Do any of these 5-star hotels allow pets?
Yes. Grange Manor, Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse and Ellerbeck Bridge all list pets allowed among their facilities.
Which hotels have free parking?
Free car parking is listed at Walker Ground Manor, Grange Manor, Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse, Beech House Kendal, The Punch Bowl Inn, Ellerbeck Bridge, Sprint Lodge and Puddle Duck Cottage.
Is there a pool or spa at any of these hotels?
Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse lists a spa among its facilities. None of the listed hotels names a swimming pool.
Which hotel is best for families?
The Punch Bowl Inn has family rooms and a restaurant. Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse and Sprint Lodge offer kitchens, cots and lounges, and Ellerbeck Bridge adds a garden, fireplace and washing machine.
Which is the highest-rated hotel on this list?
No guest rating or review count is given for these hotels, so they can be compared on facilities, class and distance from the centre instead.
Can I stay near Oxenholme Lake District railway station?
None of these hotels is in Oxenholme itself. Kendal's hotels sit between 0.5 km and 17.3 km from the town centre, and the station is about 2 miles from the centre, reachable by taxi or local bus.
Do the hotels serve breakfast?
Grange Manor lists breakfast in room, and The Punch Bowl Inn and Carus Green Golf Club Townhouse have restaurants. Grange Manor also caters for special diets.