Kendal is a market town and civil parish located in the Westmorland and Furness area of Cumbria, England, positioned just outside the Lake District. The town takes its name from the River Kent's dale, in which it is situated. Historically known as Kirkby in Kendal or Kirkby Kendal, it retains its character as a traditional market town.
The town's location near the Lake District and its position within the River Kent valley have shaped its geography and historical development. As a market town, Kendal has served as an important commercial and administrative centre for the surrounding region, reflecting the traditional role such settlements played in England's provincial landscape.