Penrith Tourist Information

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.

Local 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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