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Handsome, red-brick Penrith is the main gateway town for exploring the Eden Valley, while its easy road and rail links make Cumbria’s ancient capital a cinch to get in and out of.
Penrith’s location – at an important intersection of routes between Scotland and England and on the main route across the Pennines – is key to its historical status as a major market town. Even today, its distinctive red sandstone buildings are full of specialist, family-run shops, cosy pubs and atmospheric old pubs, while it’s Tuesday market still does a roaring trade.
The surrounding villages, the dramatic northern Lakes, the beautiful Eden Valley and the rolling Pennine hills are significant areas to explore whilst visiting this historic town. Two miles to the east is the Rheged Visitor Centre (named after an ancient Celtic kingdom) where you’ll find a retail hall and an IMAX cinema; just nearby is the sprawling Lowther country estate, which is slowly being restored to its former glory.
Ancient sites including a circular earthenwork bounded by a ditch (nicknamed ‘King Arthur’s Round Table’) at Eamont Bridge and the nearby monolith at Mayburgh Henge indicate that this area was inhabited during prehistoric times. Always keen to exploit good transport routes, the Romans built the fort of Voreda about six miles north of Penrith and linked it to another at Brocavum, now Brougham Castle.
In the 9th and 10th centuries, Penrith was the capital of Cumbria – a semi-independent state that was part of the Strathclyde region of Scotland. In 1295 Edward I captured the town, and for the next 150 years it was subject to numerous border skirmishes between the Scots and the English. These relentless attacks led to the construction of a series of defensive pele towers which were developed into the castle you see today.
The castle was associated with some of the key figures of English medieval history. One of its main architects was Ralph Neville, the first earl of Westmoreland. His grandson Richard, the 16th Earl of Warwick, became a major player in the Wars of the Roses and was nicknamed the ‘Kingmaker’ for his part in the fortunes of two kings – including Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who based himself at Penrith Castle before finally becoming King Richard III.
Rowcliffe Lane, a street hardly noticed by people today, was once at the industrial heart of Penrith. Although only 8 feet wide in places, it was filled with tailors, coopers, saddlers, rope-makers and whitesmiths in the 17th century. Wagons and coaches would regularly travel up and down the narrow thoroughfare, and some signs of its industrial past are still evident today.
The Musgrave family owned Musgrave Hall on Middlegate (now occupied by the British Legion) - their coat of arms can be seen on the lintel over the doorway. A clock tower was erected in the centre of Penrith in memory of their eldest son, Philip, who died in Madrid in 1859 at the age of 26.
William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, attended school in St Andrew's Place, and it was here that he first met Mary Hutchinson, his future wife. Wordsworth's grandparents owned the Moot Hall where his mother died in 1778. The Moot Hall was demolished in the 1830s and replaced by Arnison's drapery shop.
Lazonby - Lazonby lays claim to the largest auction mart for grey-faced mules in the country.
Little Salkeld - Little Salkeld is home to a fully working corn mill and has one of the largest stone circles in the UK on its doorstep.
Eamont Bridge - A small village south of Penrith containing many historic houses and inns. Historically, the village was used by travellers as a crossing point of the River Eamont.
Middle Eden/Pennines End - Just to the southeast of the Carlisle area, the Middle River Eden gorges lie at the heart of this glacial sculptured, dry stone walled, sandstone cottage, sleepy traditional Cumbrian Village landscape.
Flanked by The Lake District National Park to the West and The Pennines to the East this area of natural beauty and quiet country lanes is one of Cumbria's hidden Gems.
Simmerson Hill high above Castle Carrock and The Kings Forest marks a spectacular end to the Pennine Chain, with views eastwards towards Hexham and Newcastle, Northwards to Hadrian's Wall, Border Reiver (the Debatable Lands) and Scotland, and Westward to the Solway Firth, The Isle of Man and The Lake District.
The Settle & Carlisle scenic railway runs through the area and stops at Armathwaite and Lazonby giving access to this diverse landscape.
The Tour of Britain cycle route and ancient Scottish cattle droving lanes and paths criss cross the area, while grouse fells, salmon & trout fishing, horse ridding and country pursuits can be enjoyed by visitors throughout Middle Eden.
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New for our programme of creative classes, a chance to learn some sewing techniques with a takeaway…
Spend a lovely day being guided through how to make this beautifully detailed Wren using the needle…
A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award-winning Lowther…
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The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the…
Own your very own Lakeland retreat! If you've fallen in love with the Lakes and are looking to stay…
Join Margaret Jarvis for the day and learn the various intricacies of painting in 'Pen and…
5* Holiday Park offering touring, glamping pods and self-catering overlooking Ullswater. Perfect…
Rookin House offers a wide range of activities including Horse Riding, Quad Biking, Go-Karting,…
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Melmerby Hall sleeps 18 guests in 9 ensuite bedrooms. An English country manor house, it boasts…
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Join Cath for morning to make your own special decorated plate. AM workshop …
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Discover North View B&B in Penrith, offering French elegance, homemade breakfasts, and stunning…
Just a stone's throw away from Lake Ullswater, Hillcroft Park boasts one of the most stunning…
Peaceful rural park in a woodland setting featuring luxury holiday lodges with hot tubs.
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the…
Chestnut House is a specialist food and drink store which carries 400 + gins and a wide range of…
Our shortest route has no huge hills to tackle, but the lofty northern fells are an ever-present…
Penrith Art Club are pleased to announce their Annual Art Exhibition at Penrith Parish Centre.…
Dinner at 1863 will no doubt generate conversation around the table on the night, but (we hope!)…
Second largest circle in England - 360' diameter. Long Meg is an outlying stone and is decorated…
Eden Valley The most peaceful haven of pastoral calm
Number of results: 112
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Flusco, Penrith
Peaceful rural park in a woodland setting featuring luxury holiday lodges with hot tubs.
Newbiggin, Penrith
Our hand-picked selection of holiday homes and lodges are stylishly furnished to the highest specification and feature every modern convenience you could ever need, plus a few added Leisure Resorts luxuries.
Cumbria
The north western side of Ullswater is a mixture of low rolling fells interspersed with picturesque hamlets. Criss-crossing this
quiet corner of the Lake District is a network of lanes and fell roads.
Ullswater, Penrith
Waterfoot Park is situated in the beautiful Ullswater Valley. We have both pet-free and pet-friendly glamping pods available.
PENRITH
The Blue Swallow is a family run Guest House in the heart of Cumbria, offering a range of comfortable, spotlessly clean, good sized rooms and a hearty breakfast to start your day.
Penrith
A beautiful period house with a large terraced garden giving fabulous views to the Lakeland fells. A special place to stay with a warm and friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy a superb breakfast.
Penrith
A perfect location to explore the Lake District, there are seven dog-friendly, high-quality, tastefully decorated, family-friendly self-catering cottages. Located in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside, Near Howe is an idyllic, quiet, and tranquil…
Penrith
Discover picturesque landscapes at Whinfell Forest, a wildlife sanctuary nestled on the edge of the Lake District. Experience a range of activities, restaurants and traditional accommodation, all set around a beautiful lake.
Penrith
Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century excavations produced a cremation.
Pooley Bridge
A range of luxury lodges, many sleeping 4 people, some pet-friendly, suitable for families or with private hot tubs, the choice is yours. Just a stone's throw away from Lake Ullswater, Hillcroft Park boasts one of the most stunning locations of any…
Penrith
A flexible space for getting together or enjoying time alone with a book or notepad; a place where stories are told, ideas are sparked and the Cumbrian landscape is a constant source of inspiration.
Penrith
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes.
Pooley Bridge
Chestnut House is a specialist food and drink store which carries 400 + gins and a wide range of quality food and drink.
Penrith
Our 100-seat ground-floor café is a relaxed dining space where you can brunch with friends, enjoy a working lunch or catch up before a movie.
Penrith
Luxury one and two bedroom Mews apartments set in the grounds of the Roundthorn Country House, overlooking the Eden Valley and Lakeland Fells. Guests are welcome to enjoy the use of the hotel facilities on site.
Penrith
Housed in a building of architectural merit, Rheged is home to 7 individual shops, selling clothing, home and lifestyle products that stand out for their beauty and quality.
Penrith
Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling across one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the country. When you do this at Lowther, you have found the lost castle.
Penrith
Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC additions. Extensive gardens in woodland setting walled garden, topiary, woodland walk and lake with cascade.
Pooley Bridge
The Barn carries a wide range of locally sourced gifts; a great selection of quality outdoor clothing and a "canine corner" so you can spoil your best friend! We also produce our own hand made fudge in store and its is free to sample!
Pooley Bridge
A fabulous traditional inn at the heart of the picturesque village of Pooley Bridge, next to Lake Ullswater. Home-cooked food and cask ales served in the cosy bar or outdoors on the large sun terrace overlooking the river.
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