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Penrith,
in the Eden Valley a few miles north of Ullswater, is known
as the 'Gateway to the Northern Lakes'.
In the
9th and 10th century Penrith was the capital of the Cumbria,
a semi-independent state which formed part of the Scottish
Kingdom of Strathclyde.
The
ancient settlement lay on the main north-south road between
England and Scotland and during the 14th century was attacked
and burned many times by Scottish border raiders.
Penrith
Castle was built in 1399 to protect the town against these
incursions. The red sandstone fortress, now ruined, was later
a stronghold of the Duke of Gloucester before he became King
Richard III.
Henry
III granted the town a market charter in the 13th century
and by the 18th century it had become an important cattle
market. A series of market places: Castle Mart, the Corn
Market, Dockray, Market Hall, Market Place and Sandgate form
the heart of the town.
Penrith's
oldest streets. Sandgate and Burrowgate, date from the 13th
century.
The hub
of the Eden Valley, Penrith is still a thriving market town
with many shops and services located along its narrow winding
streets. Penrith's specialities are fudge, toffee, gingerbread
and Cumberland sausages.
The town
is dominated by Beacon Fell, a dark red sandstone outcrop. Penrith
Beacon on the top of this hill marks the spot where beacons
have been lit in times of war and emergency since the days
of Henry III. From here there are wonderful views across
the Eden Valley to the hills of the Lake District.
Many
of the Penrith's buildings are constructed from local red
sandstone, which contrasts strongly with the grey stone used
in the towns and villages of southern lakeland.
Penrith
has associations with the Romantic poet William Wordsworth. The
town was the home of Wordsworth's parents and William and
Dorothy, and William's future wife Mary, all attended the
Dame Anne Birkett School overlooking St Andrew's Churchyard.
This
historic graveyard is the final resting place of the legendary
giant 5th century giant Ewan Caesarius, King of All Cumbria.
The town
hall, dating from the late 18th century was once two houses
designed by Robert Adam. William Wordsworth's brother John
lived in one of these houses.
The local
Tourist Information Centre and Museum is located in the historic
Robinson's School, dating from 1671.
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Penrith
Dalemain
4
miles south-west of Penrith, on A592 1 mile South of A66 set
in peaceful countryside near the foot of Allswater, is a fine
mixture of medieval, Tudor and early-Georgian architecture. The
house contains a fine collection of china, furniture and portraits.
Dalemain's gardens date back to a medieval herb garden. Features
include a knot garden, an early Roman fountain and herb beds
surrounded by box hedges. The gardens provide views of the park
and woodland and the visitor can enjoy riverside walks
