It is easy to get to Penrith today, as it has been for centuries, millennia even, for Penrith through its long history has been an important stopping place on the route north to Scotland and south to Lancaster and on to London. These days it is the M6 that passes close by, and the railway which has been here since 1846, and of course the ancient routes - the rivers – remain, Penrith being touched by the Petteril, Eamont, and Lowther. Penrith (the name probably means red hill) was settled in the Bronze Age and before, and just a couple of miles away can be found Long Meg and Her Daughters, a Bronze Age stone circle with outlying stones possibly from earlier times. Nearby too are two henge sites: King Arthur’s Round Table, and Mayburgh Henge, conserved by English Heritage. At some stages it could be said it was too easy for the Scots to get to Penrith, for raiding parties attacked and burned it three times in the 14th century – in 1314, 1345, and 1382. The architecture of the town still in many places closely reflects the need for strength in the face of threats. The Romans built forts a few miles north and south of the town, respectively named Voreda and Brocavum, staging posts on the road to Hadrian’s Wall. Later fortifications can be seen at the northern and southern edges of the settlement, Penrith Castle to the Scottish side, Brougham Castle outside town to the south east. Both are maintained by English Heritage. And on Beacon Hill a reminder of troubles still later can be seen, a square fort from the Napoleonic era, used to signal danger as late as 1804, though the hill had served the same purpose in the struggles with the Scots for centuries previously, struggles reflected too in the pele towers found in the town. Within the town the architecture reflects both the trading history and the conflicts Penrith experienced in earlier times. There are several market squares – Penrith got its market charter in the 13th century, and had an important cattle market and hiring fair as well as more general and agricultural markets, which are still held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with a farmers’ market monthly too. The very streets show the history, with some made narrow to make cattle herding easier (and for easier defence into the bargain). In today’s quieter times Penrith merits a visit for its own heritage and attractions, but it is a good base too for exploring the lovely Eden Valley, and the Eastern Lakes – Ullswater is just a short drive away.
Attraction
Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill
Alpaca Centre
Beckstones Art Gallery
Brougham Castle
Brougham Hall
Clifton Hall
Dalemain Historic House and Gardens
Hutton in the Forest
King Arthur's Round Table
Laburnum Ceramics Gallery
Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre
Little Salkeld Watermill
Mayburgh Henge
Penrith Castle
Penrith Museum
Shap Abbey
Skate Park
The Rheged Discovery Centre
Upfront Gallery and Coffee Shop
Wetheriggs Animal Rescue Centre
Winderwath Garden
Budget
Travelodge Penrith *book online*
YHA Patterdale *book online*
Camping
Lowther Holiday Park
Quiet Site (The)
Caravan Park
Lowther Holiday Park
Westmorland Caravan Park
Church
Classes
Dance - Razzamataz
Yoga - Gina Farncombe
Club
Blues Night Club
The Warehouse
Cottage
Ginney Holiday Cottages
Howscales
National Trust Cottages
National Trust Cottages
The Old Mill
Whale Farm Cottage
Whitbarrow Village
Council
Dentist
Richard Wilson & Partners
Skirsgill Dental Practice
Stricklandgate Dental Practice
Doctor
Birbeck Medical Group
Bishopyards Medical Group
Corney Place Medical Group
Glenridding Health Centre
The Surgery
Estate Agent
Bairstow Eves North West
Davidson Partners
General Accident Property Services
Reeds Rains Estate Agents
Wilkes-Green & Hill
Wright & Co
Farmers Market
Golf Club
Holiday Park
Lowther Holiday Park
Whitbarrow Village
Hostel
Inn
George Hotel
Royal Hotel
The Brackenrigg Inn
The Royal at Dockray
Market
Penrith Farmers Market
Penrith Saturday Market
Performing Arts
Penrith Singers
Spotlight Theatre Arts School
Pub and Bar
Crown Inn
Grey Bull
Minners Own
Museum Inn
North Lakes Hotel & Spa
The Mill
The Warehouse
White Horse
Woolpack Inn
Restaurant
Cat In The Be-Bop Hat Bistro
Costas
Crown Inn
Mallards
Mill Hotel (The)
North Lakes Hotel & Spa
Purple Sage
Ristorante Dolce-Vita
The Mill
Self-Catering
Ginney Holiday Cottages
Howscales
National Trust Cottages
National Trust Cottages
Ousby Chapel
The Old Mill
Whale Farm Cottage
Whitbarrow Village
Solicitor
Taxi
Able Taxis
Ace Taxis
Blackline Taxis
Eden Taxis
Express Taxis
Moorside Taxis
Venue
Bracken Bank Lodge
Hutton in the Forest
Vet
Green Veterinary Surgery
Rowcliffe House Veterinary Partnership
Sports Clubs
Nunwick CC (Cricket)
Penrith CC (Cricket)
Penrith RUFC (Rugby Union)
Ullswater Yacht Club (Sailing)
Shops
Wetheriggs Country Pottery
Bluebell Bookshop
The Works
Dalemain Historic House
F & J Birtle
Sportscraft
Coach House Flowers
Boots
Greystone House Farm Shop and Tea Room
Cranstons
The Pot Place
The Village Bakery
The Watermill
Penrith Pet Shop
Dorothy Perkins
George Lightfoot & Son
S C H Rowe Ltd
I & K Sharpe Ltd
Halfords
Lion Gallery
Beckstones Art Gallery
Laburnum Ceramics Gallery
Ruhm
James Reynolds Sculpture
Greystoke Gill Pottery
Eden Craft Gallery
Alan Stones' Gallery
B&Q
Edinburgh Woollen Mill
Fifteen
Ice Cream Garden
Three Crowns Tea Shop
Newtongate Cafe
The Country Coffee Shop
J & J Graham Delicatessen
Brunswick Deli
The Toffee Shop
Littles Butchers
Specsavers
DTec Computers
Meyfroidt Photography
Urban Angel
Victoria
Antiques
Brunswick Antiques
Antiques Of Penrith
Pollock Jane
Superdrug
Activities
Outward Bound Ullswater(Adventure)
Rookin House Centre(Adventure)
Beacon Archers(Archery)
Eagle Bowmen(Archery)
Blencarn Lake Fly Fishing(Fishing)
Rookin House Centre(Motor Sports)
Parkfoot Pony Trekking Centre(Riding)
Rookin House Centre(Riding)
Sockbridge Pony Trekking Centre(Riding)
Places to Stay near Penrith
Norcroft Guest House (0.00 miles)
The Norcroft Guest House is just a five-minute walk from Penrith town centre, a delightful market town offering a rich and interesting history along with a good variety of shops, ... More
Brandelhow Guest House (0.14 miles)
Bank House (0.17 miles)
Click for special and substantially discounted rates from Laterooms
Bank House is a large beautiful period house with terraced gardens. From your elegantly decorated room you can enjoy magnificent views over the garden to ... More
Crosby Bed and Breakfast (0.19 miles)
Crosby provides lovely Bed & Breakfast accommodation in the delightful market town of Penrith, Cumbria, perfectly located for touring the beautiful Lake District, Eden Valley and Hadrian's Wall. The Scottish ... More
Ashberry Guest House (0.28 miles)
George Hotel (0.34 miles)
The traditional George Hotel stands in the very centre of the bustling market town of Penrith on the edge of the Lake District and the North Pennines. Enter through the George Hotel's ... More
Abbey House (0.56 miles)
Abbey House offers a warm atmosphere, comfortable accommodation and a hearty traditional English breakfast.
Located in the busy market town of Penrith, we are ideally positioned for visiting some of the ... More
North Lakes Hotel & Spa (0.94 miles)
The traditional hunting lodge style of the North Lakes Hotel & Spa, Penrith reflects the rugged beauty of the Lake District. Local stone, natural wood and open log fires create a genuine 'away from it ... More | visit website
Roundthorn Country House (1.35 miles)
This Grade II listed Georgian mansion is set in its own landscaped grounds and enjoys panoramic views of the Eden Valley, the Pennines and Lakeland Fells. Overlooking the busy market town of ... More
Travelodge Penrith (1.42 miles)
The Travelodge Penrith is ideally located close to the Lake District and Ullswater Lake as well as being 0.25 miles west of junction 40 of the M6 and 15 miles east of Keswick. The hotel ... More | visit website
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