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The Riverside Kendal Exterior photoThe Riverside Kendal Exterior photoThe Riverside Kendal Exterior photo

THE RIVERSIDE, Kendal

•
8.0|Great
Check rooms and rates
From$147 /nightOnly on Our Website-10%
Check-in
01Nov
Check-out
02Nov
Guests
2 Guests
Key details

About the Hotel

Stramongate Bridge, Kendal, La9 6el
-
Near Fletcher Park
Great
8.0
8.5
/10
4.3
4.2
/5

3-star historic hotel by the River Kent in Kendal

Historic Character & Setting

The Riverside is a converted 18th-century tannery with rooms overlooking the River Kent. The hotel is set within Kendal town centre, a short walk from shops and cafes. Lake Windermere and the Yorkshire Dales are a 15-minute drive away.

Leisure Club & Wellness

The hotel offers a state-of-the-art leisure club with a heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and hot tub. Guests also have access to a fully equipped gym and exercise studio. Expert-led fitness classes and personal training are available on site.

Dining & Pet-Friendly Policies

The Riverview Restaurant uses locally sourced produce for its menu, and Tanners Bar is pet-friendly. Dogs are accommodated with dedicated pet-friendly policies, including dining in the bar area. Complimentary breakfast options include Full English and gluten-free choices.

Rooms & Family Accommodations

Rooms have satellite TV, tea and coffee facilities, and private bathrooms; many offer river views. Family groups can book adjoining rooms for extra space. The hotel also provides specific accommodations for dogs, making it a true pet-friendly experience.

Location & Transport

Free parking is available for guests, including undercover spaces. Kendal Railway Station is 250 metres away, and the M6 motorway is a 10-minute drive. The hotel is close to Lake Windermere and offers convenient access to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.

Highlights

Historic: Converted 18th-century tannery with river views

Leisure: Heated pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub & gym

Dining: Local produce at Riverview Restaurant, pet-friendly bar

Family: Adjoining rooms & dog-friendly policies

Location: 250m from Kendal station, 15 min to Lake Windermere

Must-do experiences

  • Stroll along the River Kent for stunning views and peaceful vibes.
  • Taste the famous Kendal Mint Cake at the local fudge shop.
  • Visit Abbot Hall Art Gallery for a peek at regional artwork.
  • Explore the hidden gem of Kendal Castle for history and scenery.
  • Don't skip the Monday Market for local crafts and delicious treats.

Select your preferred room

Choose from standard rooms, family suites, or deluxe options — with breakfast and flexible rates
  • Twin Room
    2 persons
    15 m²
    2 Single beds
    Bathtub
    Heating
  • Double Room
    2 persons
    20 m²
    1 Double bed
    Bathtub
    Heating
  • Family Room
    2 persons
    25 m²
    1 Double bed and 1 Single bed
    Bathtub
    Heating
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Hotel facilities and services

Each hotel provides modern amenities for a relaxing and pleasant stay
Facilities: Great
8.2/10Review score

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • Parking
  • Pets allowed
  • Security
  • Luggage storage
  • Lift
  • Electric vehicle charging station
  • Fire extinguishers

Sports & Fitness

  • Fitness centre
  • Golf course

Guest Parking

  • Public parking is possible on site for free.

Services

  • Room service

Dining

  • In-room breakfast
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Packed lunches
  • Special diet menus

Business

  • Meeting/ Banquet facilities
  • Fax/Photocopying

Children

  • Cots
  • Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

  • Indoor swimming pool
  • Sun terrace
  • Sauna
  • Turkish bath
  • Jacuzzi

Room features

  • Heating
  • Dressing area
  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Dining table
  • Ironing facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • Flat-screen TV
  • AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

  • Carpeted floor
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Dining Onsite

At The Riverside, dining transcends the ordinary with a focus on British cuisine featuring local produce from the hotel's own Victorian kitchen garden. Guests can savor heartwarming meals crafted to cater to diverse dietary preferences, all within a traditionally charming ambiance.
The Riverside Kendal Restaurant photo
The Riverside Kendal Restaurant photo
The Riverside Kendal Restaurant photo

Riverview

British
Ambiance
Traditional setting with a cozy atmosphere, perfect for intimate dinners or leisurely breakfasts.
Key Offerings
Enjoy seasonal dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, including options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets. The restaurant captures the essence of the Lake District's culinary tradition.
Reservation
Reservations recommended.
Open for breakfast and dinner; specifically, dinner is served on Fridays from 18:30 - 20:30.

The Riverside Location

Stramongate Bridge, Kendal, La9 6el
Map view
Nearby
Museum
Kendal Museum
130 m
Restaurants
Subway
1.95 km
1 Stramongate
Far Cross Chippy
1.32 km
26 Longpool
Cottage Kitchen
11.09 km
28A Finkle Street
Nina's Coffee Shop
11.06 km
20 Market Place Westmorland Shopping Centre
McDonald's
11.05 km
71 Stricklandgate
Finkles restaurant
8.67 km
34 Finkle Street
The Duke Of Cumberland
2.73 km
1 Appleby Road
Food
8.61 km
27 Market Place
Explore Kendal
Explore Nearby Activities, Dining & Entertainment
  • Top Attractions
  • Activities
  • Dining
  • Entertainment
Kendal Museum
Kendal Museum
2 minutes' walk
Local history exhibits featuring archaeology, art, and natural history. Great for families and curious minds alike.
Old Masters Gallery
Old Masters Gallery
10 minutes' walk
An impressive collection of artwork by the old masters. Ideal for art lovers and those seeking cultural enrichment.
Serpentine Woods
Serpentine Woods
10 minutes' walk
Peaceful wooded area filled with trails for walking and nature spotting. Perfect for a relaxing stroll or picnic.
Lake District National Park Guided Walks
Lake District National Park Guided Walks
5 minutes' drive
Guided walks through breathtaking landscapes. Suitable for all fitness levels and an excellent way to see the area.
Proper Northern Yoga
Proper Northern Yoga
25 minutes' walk
Yoga classes suitable for all levels in a serene setting. Great for those seeking relaxation and mindfulness.
Lake District National Park
Lake District National Park
6 minutes' drive
Outdoor adventures including hiking and cycling in stunning scenery. Perfect for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts.
Far Cross Chippy
Far Cross Chippy
16 minutes' walk
Local fish and chips shop known for its freshly caught seafood. Casual atmosphere with takeaway options available.
Subway
Subway
25 minutes' walk
A fast and casual dining option with made-to-order subs. Ideal for a quick meal on the go, with vegetarian options.
Live Music at Kendal Leisure Centre
10 minutes' drive
Regular live music events featuring local bands. A vibrant atmosphere suitable for a lively evening out.
The Brewery Arts Centre
10 minutes' walk
Cultural hub with theater shows, films, and art exhibitions. Offers diverse programming for all ages.
Getting around the city
  • City Centre
    Kendal 5 min  ·  400 m
  • Airports
    Carlisle Lake District (CAX) 125 min  ·  82.9 km
    Blackpool International (BLK) 132 min  ·  87.5 km
  • Train
    Kendal Train Station 4 min  ·  300 m
  • Bus
    Bus stop 4 min  ·  300 m
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-22:00
Check-out
from 07:00-11:00
Guest Parking
Public parking is possible on site for free.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.
Breakfast
The hotel The Riverside provides visitors with a free full breakfast.
Children & extra beds
Maximum capacity of extra beds in a room is 1. 
Pets
Pets are allowed on request.
Year renovated:
2010
Number of floors:
4
Number of rooms:
47

Guest ratings and detailed reviews

Feedback about The Riverside from previous guests about their experience.
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
The Riverside enjoys a fantastic location, placing guests just a short walk from the centre of Kendal and offering some rooms with pleasant views over the River Kent. Many guests appreciate the spacious rooms equipped with plenty of tea and coffee, along with the leisure club featuring a swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym, sauna, and steam room. The bar area also stands out, serving food in a lovely setting. While most found their meals satisfactory, a few guests have occasionally found the food quality inconsistent.
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Review score
Based on 4 verified reviews
8.7 /10
Great
100%
Recommend
Location
9.1/10
Staff
9.0/10
Value for money
7.9/10
Cleanliness
8.2/10
Pros
Comfortable bed
Friendly staff
River views
Cons
Odd lift setup
Tired decor
Small pool
Guest reviews
based on 4 reviews
8.7/10
based on 1511 reviews
8.0/10
Ernest from United Kingdom
Single
double room
4 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed: January 11, 2026
8.5/10

riverside retreat

central location breakfast service helpful staff
the hotel had a superb location near the town center. i enjoyed the convenient access to local shops and restaurants. the breakfast service was great with many tasty options available. i found the staff were always available and helpful.
the shower screen in my bathroom leaked water. the seal at the bottom was broken, so water spread onto the floor after each shower. it caused a small inconvenience .
Service
9/10
the hotel staff were always on hand and ready to assist. i appreciated their prompt responses to any questions i had. their polite and helpful approach.
Rooms
8/10
My double room was spacious and very warm. it ensured a comfortable environment ! the room included cozy seating. i appreciated the hotel upgrading its bar area. It felt modern.
0 Helpful
|
Mia from Germany
Family with children
double room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: November 30, 2025
8/10
river view comfortable bed
i found the room spacious. it included river views from the window. i slept well in the comfortable bed.
i noticed a crack in the reception area wall.
0 Helpful
David from United Kingdom
Business traveller
Double Room
3 nights in June 2026
|
Reviewed: August 22, 2025
9/10
helpful staff double bed breakfast choice
The staff was friendly and helpful. the room included a double bed. i also appreciated the breakfast options. There was PLENTY of choice.
the gym opened a little late for my schedule.
0 Helpful
Sebastian from Germany
Family with children
Double Room
2 nights in June 2026
|
Reviewed: July 05, 2025
9.3/10

Excellent Stay with River Views

warm greeting simple check-in river view
The staff offered a warm greeting upon arrival. Parking was available on the doorstep. Check-in was simple, as I had completed the online form beforehand. The facilities available were explained clearly. The room was super clean and warm. I had a great view of the river from the window.
The hotel needs some modernizing, particularly regarding the decor, as the rooms feel quite old-fashioned. The restaurant also seemed a bit dated. Access for families is difficult, as I noticed that they must carry their babies pram up and down stairs to get to the lift and restaurant.
Location
9/10
The hotel is ideally situated near the railway, with the town center just a short walk away. Kendal Castle is also easily accessible by foot. I noted the hotel's idyllic setting along the river.
Dining
9/10
Breakfast presented various options. I saw many tasty dishes. The bar offered tasty, well-made food. Prices at the bar were reasonable.
Service
10/10
The staff members were friendly and helpful. They addressed all my questions promptly. I found them accommodating to my needs during the visit
0 Helpful
|
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FAQs
About The Riverside
What is the check-in and check-out policy at The Riverside?
Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out is by 11:00.
How far is The Riverside from Kendal Railway Station?
The hotel is just 250 m from Kendal Railway Station.
What dining options are available at The Riverside?
The hotel features The Tanners Bar and the Riverview Restaurant, which serves British dishes using locally sourced produce.
Is there a gym or fitness center at The Riverside?
The hotel offers a state-of-the-art gym and fitness center with high-performance cardio equipment, along with a heated indoor swimming pool and a hot tub.
What attractions are close to The Riverside?
Nearby attractions include Lake Windermere (15 minutes' drive) and Kendal's historic town center (1 km).
Does The Riverside provide free Wi-Fi?
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
What additional amenities are available at The Riverside?
The hotel offers luggage storage, a sauna, a steam room, and a jacuzzi.
Are there facilities for guests with disabilities at The Riverside?
Additional toilets with disabled access are located on the ground floor in the leisure center.
How far is The Riverside from Carlisle Lake District Airport?
The hotel is 85 km from Carlisle Lake District Airport.
What children's amenities does The Riverside have?
The hotel offers a children's menu and cots for families traveling with little ones.
Can I arrange an in-room breakfast at The Riverside?
In-room breakfast service is available.

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