The Mint Bridge Story
Kendal Rugby Union Football Club was founded in 1905. The club's early games were played at Maude's Meadow, and in 1927 it moved to a ground off Shap Road called Mint Bridge – a name that has been part of Kendal rugby ever since.
For ninety years the old Mint Bridge was home to generations of players, coaches, volunteers and supporters. It saw some big occasions too: in 1999 a crowd of around 3,000 watched Kendal take on London Scottish in the national cup.
At the end of the 2016–17 season the club made the biggest move in its history. The old ground was sold for redevelopment, and the proceeds paid for a brand-new, purpose-built home a short distance further up Shap Road – keeping the Mint Bridge name.
The new Mint Bridge opened in September 2017. The 12-acre site has a grass pitch and an all-weather 4G pitch, alongside a modern clubhouse with the Kremer Bar Lounge, the Kentdale Suite and a covered balcony looking out to the Lakeland Fells.
It is home to the club's senior, junior, mini and ladies' rugby and to the Esteem Gym – but it was always meant to be more than a rugby ground. Today Mint Bridge hosts weddings, conferences, parties, community groups, concerts and festivals, and welcomes everyone through its doors.
Whether you're here for a match, a workout, a celebration or a coffee in The Lounge, you're part of the Mint Bridge story. Come and see us.
“Kendal Rugby Club has always had a clear set of values - focussed on bringing people together, celebrating achievements, supporting eachother and supporting our community. Now with this incredible venue, we can bring even more to our community - and the values of rugby continue to shine through in everything we do. ”
