is situated in the Lake District National Park , a few miles
from Kendal . It was historically part of Westmorland The narrow
valley spans about 3 miles (5 km) in length and begins with a
bowl of hills known as the Kentmere Round ; a horseshoe of high
fells which surrounds Kentmere Reservoir . The reservoir is now
the source of the River Kent which gives Kendal its name. Access
to this part of the valley is available via the Roman High
Street , over Nan Bield Pass, from Troutbeck pass, or along an
old bridleway up from the village. The valley is sandwiched
between Troutbeck on the west side and Longsleddale on the east.
It can only be accessed by road by travelling through Staveley
which sits at its mouth where the river meets the Gowan beck
coming in from Ings . A walk described by Wainwright in his Far
Eastern Fells series as the Kentmere Round involves a 12 mile
all-inclusive round trip. In the past there were drove roads up
over the horseshoe in the north to the village of Mardale which
is now under the w