Kendal and The International Slave Trade Guided Town Trail

In recent months, many organisations and institutions, local, national and global, have sought to better understand their involvement in the slave trade and the long-term effects of this, and Kendal recognises that it needs to go through the same process. Within the International Slave trading triangle, ships would travel to Africa from Europe laden with goods for sale or barter, be filled with captured people who would then be transported to the Americas. The ships would then return to the United Kingdom laden with goods that were bought and sold and helped make many families’ and towns’ fortunes.

Although no individual from Kendal was compensated for the loss of earnings because of the abolition of the slave trade, the town and people in it did benefit from the town’s involvement in the triangle. In 1750, Kendal’s wool was being exported to the Americas from ports across the country and was used by traders to buy enslaved people, whilst the ships returning from the Americas brought imports of rum, sugar, tobacco, raisins as well as more specialist cargoes of rare woods and wood dyes all of which benefitted Kendal, the money from the sales coming back into the town and helping Kendal to grow and become an internationally important producer of cloth.

So what did all this mean for Kendal, and how did this affect the town’s development? In the town's 450th year of incorporation, this trail will show you!

Timings & Tours

Monday 15 September:

1030-1130

Wednesday 17 September:

1400-1500

Location & directions

Town Hall, Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4ED

Directions:

The Town Hall is situated in the centre of Kendal. There is paid car parking within easy reach of the Town Hall.

Contact on day:

Simon Unsworth

Telephone number:

+447484504357

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please pre-book for this event using the details below.

Booking contact name:

Simon Unsworth

Booking telephone number:

+447484504357

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking opens:

02 Jun 2025 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

12 Sep 2025 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

This is a guided circular walk around Kendal town centre and whilst every effort has been made to create an accessible route there are often issues with uneven pavements, roadworks, etc, that may cause people with impaired mobility issues. The route crosses a number of roads and participants will need to be aware of issues relating to traffic and personal safety. The guided trail takes around an hour and involved walking around Kendal. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Additional information

The guided trail starts and ends of Kendal Town Hall - please gather outside the Town Hall five minutes before the trail begins and the guide will meet you there.

Max no of people per tour:

12

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s)

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