Rent Easy Rental company category:Premium
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Rent Easy Kendal c/o Adventure Leisure VehiclesTebay Business Park, Old Tebay, CA10 3SS Penrith, CumbriaView map
Campervan hire in Kendal puts you on the south-eastern edge of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The "auld grey town", built of limestone on the banks of the River Kent, is only twenty minutes or so from Lake Windermere; further on lie the Langdale and Coniston valleys and, to the east, the grassy domes of the Howgill Fells. Our partner company Rent Easy hands over its vehicles at Old Tebay, about 20 km to the north-east, right by the M6 motorway.
Two other departure cities of our partners frame Kendal: Lancaster, 32 km as the crow flies to the south, and Carlisle, further north, close to Scotland.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle à Kendal?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Kendal
1 Windermere, Tarn Hows and Coniston
- Kendal
- Bowness-on-Windermere
- Ambleside
- Tarn Hows
- Coniston
- Hawkshead
- Near Sawrey
- Grizedale
- Cartmel
- Kendal
The road first runs along Windermere to Bowness, where cruises set off on England's largest natural lake, then climbs to Ambleside. A narrow road leads to the wooded shores of Tarn Hows before Coniston, where the steam yacht Gondola sails to Brantwood, John Ruskin's home. Hawkshead and its whitewashed houses come before Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's farm at Near Sawrey; Grizedale Forest and its sculptures, then Cartmel Priory, close the loop.
- Distance
- about 110 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or converted van
2 In Wordsworth's footsteps, to Great Langdale
- Kendal
- Staveley
- Ambleside
- Rydal
- Grasmere
- Elterwater
- Great Langdale
- Skelwith Bridge
- Kendal
North of Ambleside, Rydal Mount, William Wordsworth's last home, looks down on little Rydal Water. In Grasmere the poet lived at Dove Cottage, next to the museum devoted to him, and lies in St Oswald's churchyard; the tiny gingerbread shop at the churchyard gate is a must. Via Elterwater, the road heads deep into Great Langdale, overlooked by its pikes, before dropping back to Skelwith Bridge and its waterfall.
- Distance
- about 80 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or compact motorhome
3 Howgill Fells, Eden Valley and Haweswater
- Kendal
- Sedbergh
- Cautley Spout
- Ravenstonedale
- Orton
- Appleby-in-Westmorland
- Long Meg
- Shap Abbey
- Haweswater
- Kendal
Through Sedbergh, a small book town at the foot of the Howgill Fells, the road reaches Cautley Spout, one of England's highest waterfalls, then crosses Ravenstonedale and Orton. Appleby-in-Westmorland, famous for its June horse fair, has a station on the Settle–Carlisle line, perfect for a day out by train. The Long Meg stone circle comes before the ruins of Shap Abbey and Haweswater reservoir, at the end of a narrow road, before returning over Shap.
- Distance
- about 170 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Camper van or low-profile motorhome
Weather and seasons
When to go à Kendal?
Best time
April to June
April to June
highs 12 to 18 °C, lows 4 to 11 °C
The best time to set off from Kendal: April and May are by far the two least rainy months of the year, and the sun shines nine to ten hours a day. The daffodils Wordsworth loved bloom around Rydal and Grasmere in April, the Langdale waterfalls are still in full flow, and June brings very late, light evenings by the lakes.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 18 to 19 °C, lows 12 °C
The mildest months are also the busiest, and they stay wet, with 159 and 172 mm of rain. The A591 between Kendal and Ambleside fills up from the morning, and the car parks of Bowness and Grasmere are full before noon. The Howgill Fells and the Eden Valley, east of the motorway, keep much quieter roads and campsites.
September and October
September to October
highs 13 to 16 °C, lows 8 to 10 °C
A very wet late season, October being among the rainiest months, but also the most colourful: the larches of Grizedale and the beeches of Tarn Hows turn gold, and the bracken of the Howgill Fells takes on a russet hue. Once the school year starts, lakeside campsites become easy to book again.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs 6 to 9 °C, lows 2 to 4 °C
A cool, dark and rainy winter, with three to six hours of sunshine a day. In November, though, the Kendal Mountain Festival brings climbers and mountain filmmakers to town. Snow and ice can make Shap and the Kirkstone Pass tricky, and many Lake District campsites close until Easter: travel in a heated vehicle.
Climate à Kendal, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6 °C | 2 °C | 153 mm | 3 h/day | 5 °C |
| Feb | 7 °C | 2 °C | 153 mm | 5 h/day | 6 °C |
| Mar | 9 °C | 3 °C | 137 mm | 6 h/day | 7 °C |
| Apr | 12 °C | 4 °C | 82 mm | 9 h/day | 10 °C |
| May | 15 °C | 7 °C | 94 mm | 10 h/day | 15 °C |
| Jun | 18 °C | 11 °C | 135 mm | 10 h/day | 18 °C |
| Jul | 19 °C | 12 °C | 159 mm | 10 h/day | 19 °C |
| Aug | 18 °C | 12 °C | 172 mm | 9 h/day | 19 °C |
| Sep | 16 °C | 10 °C | 164 mm | 7 h/day | 17 °C |
| Oct | 13 °C | 8 °C | 185 mm | 5 h/day | 13 °C |
| Nov | 9 °C | 4 °C | 161 mm | 4 h/day | 10 °C |
| Dec | 7 °C | 3 °C | 187 mm | 3 h/day | 7 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Shopping at Tebay
A short distance from the depot, Tebay services on the M6 are famous for their farm shop: local meat, cheese and bread to fill the fridge right from the start. For fuel and a big shop, the supermarkets on the outskirts of Kendal are more convenient than the national park villages, where filling stations are scarce.
Hardknott and Wrynose, not for large vehicles
West of Little Langdale, the Wrynose and Hardknott passes cross the fells to Eskdale on a single-track road, very steep and with tight hairpins. They are strongly discouraged for motorhomes and large vans, and tricky even in a campervan in bad weather. To reach Eskdale or the west coast, take the longer route south via the A590.
Bypassing Kendal on the A591
Kendal town centre, partly one-way, quickly gets congested in summer and on market days. Coming from the south on the M6, take junction 36 then the A591 bypass, which skirts the town to the west and heads for Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere. This main road is wide: it is the small lanes around the lakes that call for patience.
The Lakes train
Kendal is served by the Lakes Line, a short branch line linking Oxenholme to Windermere via Staveley. Leaving the motorhome at the campsite and taking the train saves hunting for a space in Bowness, where car parks are small and often height-restricted. From Windermere station, the lake is only about twenty minutes on foot.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip à Kendal
Where can I pick up a campervan in Kendal?
Rent Easy, our partner company, hands over its vehicles at Tebay Business Park, Old Tebay, on the premises of Adventure Leisure Vehicles, about 20 km north-east of Kendal, near junction 38 of the M6. The postal address says Penrith, but the depot really is at Tebay. The meeting time is in your confirmation; from Oxenholme station, a taxi is the easiest option.
How much does campervan hire in Kendal cost?
The rate depends mostly on the calendar: Easter, July and August concentrate demand in the Lake District, while May or September are quieter. The number of days, the model and the return city also count. Enter your dates in the search: available offers are shown with their real price, mandatory fees included, and can be booked online.
Can I end the trip somewhere other than Kendal?
Several departure cities of our partners are close by: Lancaster 32 km as the crow flies, Preston 63 km, Carlisle 64 km, Blackburn 68 km and Leeds Bradford 87 km. It all depends on what the rental company accepts: choose the arrival city when you search, and only offers allowing that trip will appear, one-way fees included.
What is there to see in Kendal before setting off?
On the hill east of the Kent, the castle ruins, linked to the Parr family from which Catherine Parr, Henry VIII's last wife, descended, give a fine view over the town's grey roofs. Below, old lanes and yards branch off the main street. Try Kendal Mint Cake, the sweet peppermint bar taken on the first ascent of Everest in 1953.
What size of vehicle suits the Lake District?
A campervan or converted van is most at ease: around Coniston, Hawkshead or Langdale, roads are narrow and lined with stone walls, and village car parks are small. A low-profile motorhome remains reasonable on main roads such as the A591 and A590. With a wider model, favour the Howgill Fells and the Eden Valley, where roads are more open.
Verified customer reviews
They rented à Kendal with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Functional and easy-to-use application that meets expectations.
N.
United Kingdom · Jul 2025
Trustpilot
1. The motorhome had neither a reversing alarm nor a rear camera. Essential for this type of vehicle. 2. There was no option to purchase insurance without a deductible. The options were either to take out an external one or to reduce it with Indie Campers. Additionally, in the case of the one rented in Scotland, we were informed at the last moment that no insurance covered the upper and lower parts of the sides... Incredible! We could crash it but not scratch it... 3. Regarding the rental in Dublin: a) The location is very far from the airport and much further from the city.
J.
United Kingdom · Jun 2024
Trustpilot
Available team and very good service
Nicolas E.
United Kingdom · Jun 2024
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Kendal
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in England?
A category B licence covers vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, which includes almost all campervans and motorhomes offered for hire. Foreign licences are generally recognised for a tourist stay, though some issuing countries require an international driving permit as well. Minimum age and years of driving required are set by the rental company, offer by offer.
Where can I stay overnight in a motorhome around Kendal?
In England, spending the night outside a campsite is only allowed with the landowner's permission, and signs in Lake District car parks almost everywhere recall the ban. As for campsites, the choice is wide around Windermere, Coniston and Great Langdale; to the east, a few farms in the Howgill Fells take a handful of vehicles in a more peaceful setting.
Which airport should I choose for a departure from Kendal?
Manchester is the most convenient: trains link the airport to Oxenholme, Kendal's main station on the West Coast line, in about an hour and a half, sometimes without changing. Liverpool and Leeds Bradford have poorer rail links. Then plan a taxi to the Tebay depot and let the rental company know your arrival time.
Can I cross Lake Windermere in a motorhome?
The Windermere ferry links Bowness to Far Sawrey, on the west shore, in a few minutes: a shortcut to Hawkshead and Coniston. It carries cars and small vehicles, but its size limits generally rule out large motorhomes. Check the permitted dimensions before relying on it; otherwise, drive round the lake via Ambleside to the north or Newby Bridge to the south.
What weather should I expect around Kendal?
A cool and very wet oceanic climate: afternoon temperatures average 6 °C in January and 19 °C in high summer, and rainfall ranges from 82 mm in April to 187 mm in December. The central valleys of the Lake District get even more rain than Kendal. Pack rainwear and walking shoes, and keep a few indoor visits in reserve.
When should I book a campervan in Kendal?
As Rent Easy is the only partner company departing from Kendal, the choice of vehicles is limited: for Easter, July and August, book several months ahead. Outside school holidays, two to four weeks often leave some choice. If nothing is available, widen the search to Lancaster or Carlisle, other nearby departure cities.
About us
Why start a campervan trip from Kendal
Kendal combines two rare advantages: the lakes of the southern Lake District, Windermere, Coniston and Grasmere, less than an hour's drive away, and direct access from the M6, with no pass to climb to get started. In two or three days you go from Beatrix Potter's farm to Wordsworth's home, then to the glacial valleys of Langdale; to the east, the Howgill Fells and the Eden Valley offer equally wide landscapes, far less crowded.
Rent Easy, our partner company, hands over its vehicles at Old Tebay, right by the motorway, which makes arrival and return easy. Lancaster, Preston and Carlisle, other nearby departure cities, let you end the trip elsewhere, and Kirkby Lonsdale, half an hour to the south-east, is worth a detour for its medieval bridge over the Lune. Spring remains the most pleasant season for this departure.
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