Penrith

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• 1 Penrith Hostels

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Introduction

The modern administrative capital of the Eden Valley, Penrith is a working Cumbrian town hewn of red sandstone. It's not without its attractions, including an interesting town centre and a distinctive ruined castle, and makes a good base for exploring both the Eden Valley and the Northern Lake District.

Sights and Activities

Town Centre

A stroll around the centre of town reveals some interesting and historic buildings, including St Andrew's Church (built 1720), designed by the renowned architect Nicholas Hawksmoor. The grave of Owen Cesario, a King of ancient Cumbria, is within the grounds.

The Gloucester Arms Hotel in the market square is one of the town's oldest remaining buildings, dating from the 15th Century.

The Devonshire Arcade is an attractive group of independent shops tucked away behind the George Hotel.

Penrith Castle and Castle Park

Penrith's castle is an imposing ruin, set at the highest point in town opposite the station. Built in the 14th Century to keep out marauding Scots, only the outer walls now remain. It's still worth a visit though, not least to stroll around the lanscaped Castle Park in the grounds of the castle.

Rheged Visitor Centre

Holding the somewhat bizarre accolade of 'Europe's Largest Grass-covered Building', the Rheged Visitor Centre is an unusual experience. The attraction centres on a film celebrating the region's history and culture, shown on a vast IMax screen ('the size of four double-decker buses'). The rest of the building holds an exhibition of the work of Eden's artisanal craftspeople.

Beacon Hill

An easy and pleasant excursion from Penrith, a short path leads from Beacon Edge to the Beacon, built as an early warning system to be used in times of war. At one time a chain of beacons stretched across Cumbria - now only Penrith's remains. On a clear day the top of Beacon Hill is a good vantage point for the town and the Eastern mountains of the Northern Lake District.

Events and Festivals

Penrith Agricultural Show

Certainly the best attended annual event in Penrith, the Penrith Agricultural Show is one of the biggest country fairs in Cumbria. This is a great insight into working Cumbria - the show isn't just a superb display of beasts and fowl, including many handsome traditional breeds, but an exhibition of rural sports and crafts including Show Jumping, Motorcycle Scrambling and Sheepdog Trials.
4th Saturday in July

Getting There

By Train

Penrith station is on the main West Coast rail line, connecting to cities including London (Euston station), Manchester, Lancaster, Carlisle and Glasgow.

Tickets can be extortionate, particularly walk-on fares. It's worth booking fairly well in advance, and check Megatrain to see if you can pick up any heavily discounted tickets for your route.

By Car

Penrith is easily accessed by road, being on the junction of the M6, A6 and A66 routes. It's worth noting that these routes can occasionally be closed by heavy snowfall in winter.

By Bus

National Express offer services to Penrith from around the country.

Penrith is connected to the rest of Cumbria by bus. Particularly useful routes connect to Keswick, to Patterdale, and to Kirkby Stephen via Appleby and Brough.

Getting Around

By Foot

Penrith is fairly compact place, easily explored on foot.

By Public Transport

Anywhere that isn't easily reached on foot, including the Rheged visitor centre, can be reached by bus. Buses leave from the town's bus station, at Sandgate in the centre of town, or from the station.

Eat

• Number 15 Cafe Bar, 15 Victoria Street. Friendly and comfortable cafe offering a range of home-cooked meals, snacks and cakes. Good range of drinks including bottled beers from Tirril Brewery. Free wi-fi.
• Cagneys Tandoori, 17-18 King Street, Tel: 01768 867503. Penrith's most popular Indian restaurant serving the usual staples at a reliably decent quality.
• Gianni's, 11 Market Square, Tel: 01768 891791. A Penrith institution, this family owned and run Sardinian restaurant in a 17th century building in the heart of town serves up a range of Italian favourites including pizza and pasta. Admit that it's your birthday at your own risk.

Drink

• Grants of Castlegate, 54 Castlegate. Grants is as close to a cocktail bar as you're likely to find in Cumbria. It's a smart place with a well-chosen selection of drinks.
• Lowther Arms, Queen Street. A relaxed old boozer with a couple of well-kept real ales on tap.
• Gloucester Arms, Great Dockray. Enjoy a drink in one of Penrith's oldest surviving buildings - the Gloucester dates back to 1477. Lively at weekends.
• The Warehouse, Sandgate. A cavernous late bar with pumping music and a decent buzz.
• Toppers, Southend Road. Penrith's only nightclub, open 'til 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sleep

Property	Address	Type	Phone	Popularity
YHA Patterdale	Penrith Cumbria	Hostel		87
Fellfoot Independent Hostel	10 Fell Lane	Hostel	01768 840327	-
The George Hotel	Devonshire Street	Hotel		-
North Lakes Hotel and Spa	Ullswater Road	Hotel	01768 868111	-
The Roundthorn Country House Hotel	Beacon Edge	Hotel	01768 863952	-

There are also a wide range of Bed & Breakfast options offering mid-priced accommodation in Penrith and the surrounding area.

Keep Connected

Internet

The Number 15 Cafe Bar (see above) offer free wi-fi access.

Penrith Library, St Andrews Churchyard, has a free terminal for Internet access.

Phone

Plenty of phone boxes are dotted around the centre of town.

Post

You shouldn't have too much difficulty finding a post box. Penrith's main Post Office is located in Burrowgate in the town centre.