Retail

For those wishing to indulge their sweet-tooth, Westmorland and Furness is home to three notable specialities: Grasmere Gingerbread, the world-famous gingerbread sold from a former village school where William Wordsworth occasionally taught; Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake (made by the Romney family since 1918); and Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding, the home of Sticky Toffee.

For those with an interest in retail history, Westmorland and Furness is home to three notable centenarian businesses: recognised as the UK’s oldest coffee roasters, Farrer’s Coffee (Kendal) has been roasting coffee and blending tea since 1819; the deli, bakery and grocery store J & J Graham (Penrith) has been offering hampers, fine food and drink to the local area and beyond since 1793; and away from food and drink, at N Arnison & Sons the same family has been clothing Penrith residents and visitors alike since 1742.

And as well as these highly revered institutions: Lovingly Artisan (Kendal), winner of Britain’s best artisan bakery in the Bakers’ Dozen 2024 list; Lakes Ice Cream, proud recipient of no less than 12 Great Taste award since 2019; winner of no less than 60 Great Taste Awards since being established in 1999, Hawkshead Relish Company; and the multi award-winning British spelt pasta producer Northern Pasta are all making their voices heard.

Not only does the area have such esteemed businesses as N Arnison & Sons, but Westmorland and Furness is also home to a variety of other clothing retail options: first opening in Ambleside in 1955, Lakeland Leather (Ambleside, Bowness, Kendal, and UK-wide) is a much celebrated specialist in luxury leather and sheepskin garments; established in 2006 selling skate, surf and street-wear, Working Class Heroes (Ulverston) today has a broader range of clothing in its store and online; named after Oubas Hill in Ulverston, OUBAS is a made-to-order knitwear company with proud tradition of sustainability; starting in 2010 Blade & Rose (based in Kendal) is now a leading British children’s clothing brand specialising in a range of leggings and clothing accessories with stockists around the World; Horsley (based in Kendal) creates stylish designs using sustainable fabrics, including tweed and waxed cottons, and production methods to minimise its impact on the earth, now and in the future; and Superlove Merino (Staveley), a multi-award winning ethical knitwear company specialising in ethical products made from Merino wool.

Whether for yourself, as gifts for others, or mementoes of a visit to the area, Westmorland and Furness is treasure-trove of gift ideas. As the home of Peter Rabbit fans will be spoilt. Not only is Westmorland and Furness home to The World of Beatrix Potter, but across the area Peter Rabbit and Friends shops (Bowness, Grasmere and Hawkshead) are an Aladdin’s cave of Peter Rabbit merchandise. Inspired by the Lake District’s Herdwick sheep, another lovable character, Herdy, has stores in Ambleside, Bowness, Grasmere and Kendal with gifts and homeware that support rural communities and upland fell farming projects. Whilst those looking for multi- award winning eco-luxe skin and beauty products, should look at Pure Lakes (Far Sawrey, near Ambleside) range of plant-based products for body and home.

If looking for the home, the proudly independent Armstrong Ward (Kendal) offers a carefully curated range local and British-made bespoke furniture, clothing and accessories, homeware, toys and gifts. Woven from the wool of the area’s iconic Herdwick sheep, Cable & Blake produces luxurious fabrics inspired by the surrounding Lake District landscape to create interior design items that are both modern and timeless. Though now nationwide, the kitchenware and homeware store, Lakeland, has its origins in the area with the flagship store and café in Windermere. Since its founding in 1976, Cumbria Crystal (based in Ulverston), has been producing fine artisan crystalware and today supplies British Embassies, royal occasions, renowned retailers such as Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, and acclaimed television and film productions, including James Bond and Downton Abbey.

Many of the companies and brands here are available at the renowned Tebay Services (M6 northbound and southbound), a motorway services farmshop and kitchen like no other, notable for its Channel 4 documentary series A Lake District Farmshop. But, smaller producers across the area can be found at outdoor and farmers markets in all corners of Westmorland and Furness. More information on each market can be found here.