Explore Penrith

Many travellers leave the M6 at Penrith’s junction 40 and zoom on by to the famous hotspots of the Lake District, or east across the Pennines, or whizz past north or south… but little do they know of the treats they’re missing in Penrith itself and the surrounding area.

The famous 18th century Lakes Poet, William Wordsworth, went to school in Penrith… to get a taste of what inspired him, as you reach the front door of North View, pause to take in the view across the town to the hills surrounding Lake Ullswater – this was the setting for Wordsworth’s best-known poem, “Daffodils”. Turn the other way and you face Beacon Hill where the young William used to play.

Wordsworth isn’t the only claim to fame for Penrith; Richard III, King of England between 1452 and 1485, turned the manor of Penrith into a castle. He was the Sheriff of Penrith before becoming King and was in charge of securing the county against the Scots. How about the cult film “Withnail and I”?  it was set in the local area.

For the villages and hamlets across the Eden Valley and northern Lake District, Penrith is the main hub. A ten-minute walk down the hill from North View B&B brings you to the town centre, where you can explore independent shops, cafes and restaurants, a family-run cinema, leisure centre, historic pubs, and a host of other services and attractions, including a thriving recycling vibe. A small farmer’s market is held every Tuesday and if you’re searching for purveyors of excellent local food, butchers, bakers and delicatessens are in plentiful supply.

Penrith is on the doorstep of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, and Ullswater, the second biggest lake in England, is a 10-minute drive away! We love it here: wild swimming, hiking, cycling, paddle-boarding, climbing, canoeing – it’s all on offer. Whether you’re a novice or expert, it’s all accessible in the Penrith area. If you’re heading to explore more of the Lake District, or onwards to the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s Roman Wall, Penrith has excellent transport links. Oh, and don’t forget the Eden Valley – no crowds here, just up the road, and plenty to enjoy – historic houses, walks, cycle routes, birdwatching, country pubs and quaint villages all set against the backdrop of the rolling Pennines.

We look forward to welcoming you whether you’re heading north, south, east or west; by car, train or bicycle (we offer the perfect place to recuperate on the Coast-to-Coast or the John O’Groats to Land’s End Cycle Routes) – don’t just zoom on by!