Only five miles from Barkinbeck Cottage is the friendly market town of Kirkby Lonsdale with its charming selection of shops and eating places. The larger commercial centre of Kendal, 'Gateway to the Lakes' is seven miles in the opposite direction.

 Here you will find a library, banks, pubs and restaurants, as well as range of shops, many of which are located in specialised centres. There are museums and an art gallery, plus the Brewery Arts Centre which offers the best in theatre and music events. 

For the more energetic, Kendal provides a  leisure centre with pools and sports halls, and at a different location, Lakeland's premier rock climbing centre. Within a short drive from Kendal there are some fine historic houses such as the Elizabethan Levens Hall, famous for its topiary garden, and Sizergh Castle which boasts glorious furniture, wonderful views and beautiful gardens.