Map and info panel near the former brewery, now the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal.
"As the name implies, the Brewery Arts centre was once home to a brewery. Initially, John Whitwell set up a winery at the site in 1757 and according to reports over 40,000 gallons of wine were kept here. In 1858, the business was sold to William Mark who created an ale brewery on the premises and many of the original buildings from that brewery are still in situ today and form part of the arts centre."
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From the interpretation panel -
"The brewery was sold to Vaux Breweries in 1946 and sadly ceased trading in 1968. Shortly after, work began on the large site to convert it into an arts centre and it was opened in 1972. Since then, the centre has hosted many famous names and has become a leading arts education venue in the area.
The Brewery Arts Centre opened in 1972, when it was converted from the old Vaux Brewery. Facing Highgate was the town house of the Wilson family of Dallam Tower, whose coat of arms can still be seen on the top of the downspout. Whitwell, Mark & Co. started a wine business here in 1757 with cellars said to hold over 40,000 gallons of wine.
In 1853, the Company built a new ale brewery in the garden, and took over many of Kendal’s Inns and alehouses, including the Woolpack, Angel, Cock and Dolphin and the Duke of Cumberland. By 1900, Whitwell Marks’ Kendal Brewery was one of the town’s largest employers and best known industries. In 1946, the firm was taken over by Vaux Breweries of Sunderland and when they relocated in 1971, the offices in the house became a Youth Hostel and the industrial buildings were converted into the Brewery Arts Centre.
This is now an exciting place where all kinds of artistic and educational activities take place - music, comedy , dance, film, visual arts, theatre and literature - as well as a vibrant social venue containing bars and restaurants. The Brewery also hosts national and internationally known events such as the Kendal Mountain Festival and Mintfest.
The Brewery gardens are the last remaining of many which once would have flourished behind the town houses lining Highgate. The steps to the upper garden fell into disrepair and have recently been restored to their original grandeur.
Above Garth Heads is Castle Howe, also known as Bowling Fell, which is the site of the Norman motte and bailey castle. When built, there would have been a wooden keep on the top of the motte (mound), and room for men, horses and stores on the bailey below. Somewhat mysteriously, it was abandoned in the late 12th century when Kendal Castle was built on the hill across the valley.
Under the Kendal Fell Act of 1767, the Kendal Fell Trustees were allowed to enclose an area of about 158 acres. Bowling Fell was part of this land, but was to be left open for the inhabitants of the town to ‘walk on’, which they have done ever since. The Obelisk was erected in 1788 to celebrate the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688 when William of Orange became King of England following the abdication of James II. On it is a plaque inscribed “Sacred to Liberty’.
Beast Banks is the steep road leading up from the town to what was once the site of an ancient cattle fair where bull baiting was allowed until 1791 Bailing by dogs was then considered a good spectator sport, and it was believed to tenderise the meat before slaughtering."