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Town in Cumbria, England
Photo: PAUL FARMER, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Penrith is a small market town of 15,000 people (2011) in Cumbria, to the north-east of the Lake District.
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Building of the castle' began in 1399, when William Strickland (later Bishop of Carlisle and Archbishop of Canterbury) added a stone wall to an earlier pele tower, primarily as a defence against the then frequent raids from the Scottish borders. The castle was improved over the next 70 years, becoming a royal fortress for Richard, Duke of Gloucester before he became King Richard III in 1483. The ruins that can be seen today date from about that time. The striking sandstone remains are situated in Castle Park, opposite Penrith railway station.
The churchyard in the town contains the 'Giant's Thumb', a Norse cross dating from 920 AD erected as a memorial to his father by Owen Caesarius, King of Cumbria from 920 to 937 AD. There is a tradition that the 'Giant's Grave' is the grave of Owen himself. The four hogback stones surrounding the grave are said to represent wild boar he killed in nearby Inglewood Forest. The two Norse crosses are some 11 feet high. The tower dates from 1397, but the church was built in 1722 and has an interesting interior. The church cafe is open M-F 9:30AM - 2PM.
In Robinson's School in Middlegate. The school closed in 1971 after a long history dating back to 1670 and is now a combined tourist information centre and museum.
Shell of a 19th century mansion, the real attraction is the restored gardens.
The Castlegate, CA11 7JE. Bar meals and Jennings real ales in this hotel near the station.
Small café serving coffee, pastries and sandwiches
In the town centre.
A four-star hotel at M6 / A66 junction.
Charming hotel in old-fashioned style in converted farmhouse near the lake. Open Apr-Oct.
Charming little hotel in 18th-century house, great dining.
Glorious upscale pile, the 14th-century pele tower has been added to for 700 years so what you get now is the Countess of Lonsdale's 2012 makeover. Great comfort, service, ambience and dining. It's open mid-Feb to Dec and often booked for weddings.
Tebay services on M6 have always bucked the norm of bland functionality, and now this welcoming hotel takes the standard higher. Splendid restful place accessible both north- and southbound, once checked in you'll be blissfully unaware of the traffic hissing past. Open all year, child- and dog-friendly.
Quiet camping and caravan site open Apr-Nov.
Atmospheric 18th-century coaching inn, dog-friendly, with good restaurant.
This charming spot up a back lane has "hobbit burrows" set into the hillside, glamping pods and "gingerbread house" cabins. Dog-friendly.
Dog-friendly pub with rooms and good meals.
Independent grocer established in 1793, with an excellent selection of cheeses and home baking.
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Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear · International · NCL
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