Every November, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts descend on Kendal for one of Europe’s biggest and most diverse mountain festivals. The Kendal Mountain Festival began life as a film festival in 1980, disappeared for a while and was then reborn in 1999. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength, with a programme that often includes more than 100 film screenings and dozens of lectures by some of the world’s greatest climbers, mountaineers, athletes and adventurers. Workshops and ‘specialist sessions’ cover activities as diverse as fell-running, caving and outdoor swimming.
What’s on
The Kendal Mountain Festival events range from ticketed to free. Festival spaces and venues are spread across Kendal. The Basecamp at Abbot Hall Park is a central hub offering free talks and brand partner stalls. Highlights include speaker events, world premieres, a Basecamp Festival Village, book and arts events, live music, environmental talks, and family-friendly activities. Tickets for specific events are sold separately and can be found on the festival website.
The four-day festival also includes art exhibitions and book events, including the announcement of the prestigious Boardman Tasker Prize winner for Mountain Literature.
Accomodation in Kendal
For festival-goers, a range of accommodation options in Kendal and surrounding areas, including hotels, B&Bs, and campsites, are available but need to be booked independently. The festival also features a Food & Drink Village for dining options.
>>> Check rates and availability of places to stay in Kendal
