County Offices
Kendal
Cumbria
LA9 4RQ
Telephone: 01539 713540
Records relating to the historic county of Westmorland, and also some for the Sedbergh-Dent district (formerly in the West Riding of Yorkshire) and for the Cartmel district (formerly in Lancashire North of the Sands).
These include:
- Church of England and Nonconformist records
- Local Authorities
- Civil Parishes
- Statutory Bodies
- Official records
- Businesses and Industries
- Families and Landed Estates
- Solicitors
- Societies and Organisations
- Schools
- Charities
Significant collections include:
- The archive of Thomas H. Mawson, landscape architect of Lancaster and Windermere, late 19th to 20th centuries (collection reference WDB 86)
- Lady Anne Clifford (1590-1676) of Appleby Castle records (reference WDHOTH/1/10)
- Sir Daniel Fleming of Rydal Hall papers, late 17th century (collection reference WDRY). Ordnance Survey maps of Westmorland and Trade Directories
- Church of England Parishes and Nonconformist Church registers I.G.I.
- Census returns 1841-1901 for Westmorland and the Sedbergh-Dent district (formerly in the West Riding of Yorkshire)
- Census index for Cumberland, Westmorland and the Isle of Man 1881.
- Probate records (Deaneries of Kendal and Furness, and Carlisle Consistory Court 1536-1860)
- Newspapers
- One public access computer to allow brief 'look-ups' of a limited selection of useful websites containing local sources, including CASCAT, Ancestry and Find My Past
- Toilets
Some collections require advance ordering. Please check before booking your visit to Kendal Archive Centre. If you would like to deposit or donate records, please visit our Depositing Records webpage before making your visit. We accept only cash or UK cheques in our Archive Centres.
If you want to see original archives you will need to obtain or already have a valid Archives Card.
| Location | All Access | Car Parking | Buses | Trains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower ground floor of County Offices, at the north west of town centre on A5284 for Windermere | Main entrance at the front of County Offices. For disabled/wheelchair access, please go to signposted access at rear of County Offices and buzz the intercom | Large public pay and display car park at rear of County Offices, with free parking for Blue Badge users | Buses to Kendal stop in the town centre, which is 5 minutes walk from the County Offices. | The nearest main line railway station is Oxenholme which is 2 miles from the town centre; taxis or buses can be caught at the station. Kendal Station, which is a short walk from the Archive Centre, is on the Oxenholme - Windermere branch line. |
