The town itself is home to many interesting things to see and do. The imposing ruins of Penrith Castle stand on the southern edge in their own park and the Penrith and Eden Museum provides a fascinating insight into the history of the area. According to legend, there’s even a giant buried in St Andrew’s churchyard!
Penrith Castle
Penrith Castle was once home to Richard, Duke of Gloucester before he was crowned Richard III. Built towards the end of the 14th century, some of its walls still stand at full height. The castle was built played a key role in the defence of northern England against the Scots. The castle fell into a state of disrepair during the mid-1600s, and was turned into the park it is today in the 1920s.
There is a great mixture of independent and High Street stores in the centre of Penrith. The choice of eateries is broad as well, with all exotic palettes taken into account and it’s a good base to explore the Lake District to the west and the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the east.
Several long distance walking paths pass through the Penrith area. A lovely walk from the centre of town leads up Fell Lane and then follows a wooded path to the summit of Beacon Hill. Beacon Pike or Tower was built in 1719 on the site where for centuries, fires have been lit to warn of impending danger. From the top, there are extensive views across Penrith to the Lake District fells and Solway Firth. There’s also a town trail that takes you around the town’s places of historic interest.
“There are lots of places of historic interest to visit in Penrith…”
A holiday in Penrith is a fantastic choice for walkers and those who love the great outdoors. With the Lake District just on the doorstep and a wealth of walking opportunities from the town itself, the area is not short of scenic locations.
We have some lovely holiday cottages in Penrith - why not visit our collection for inspiration?