Penrith
a potted history
Penrith is an attractive market town originally built around a network of gates through which the towns people would herd their livestock into the safety of the centre whilst the town was vigorously defended against the Scottish raiders who once terrorised this region. The gates have long gone but the names remain i.e. Middlegate, Stricklandgate. It was in the 9th century that the town of Penrith became the capital of Cumbria, a semi-independent state which until 1070 A.D. formed part of the Kingdom of Scotland and Strathclyde. Penrith boasts a myriad of sights including a large, imposing Norman church, a 13th century castle set in a municipal park with sporting amenities, a beacon set atop a pine clad hill overlooking the town, numerous historic houses and coaching inns with connections to Bonnie Prince Charlie, Richard the III, Wordsworth, Anthony Trolloppe and Samuel Plimsoll.
places of interest
Rheged - Cumbria's newest tourist attraction and Europe's largest grass covered building boasting a heritage centre, exhibitions, tourist information, a large format 2D cinema screen as big as 6 double decker bus's, shops and cafes.
Robinson's School - browse local history and regular exhibitions set in the museum which is located in a 300 year old former school building.
Ruhm Gallery - An excellent coffee house but with the added bonus of also being a rather good art gallery.
James and John Grahams - a fascinating shop, founded in 1793 and still with its original 1880's interior with old fashioned service to match. Boasting the best selection of local produce and delicatessen style food for miles around.
Penrith Beacon - a sandstone structure overlooking the town in which fires were lit to warn of times of troubles. Signposted footpath from the top of Fell Lane - if you have the energy!
The Toffee Shop - The best toffee and fudge in the world! I live in Penrith and omitted this link so thanks to Susan Irvine for reminding me. The Toffee Shop can be located just 20 yards up the road from Arragons Cycle Centre
St. Andrews Churchyard - this magnificent church in the centre of Penrith has a tower containing 8 bells with walls 6ft thick and is, amongst other things, the burial place of a legendary giant and king of all Cumbria who, legend has it, slayed monsters in nearby Inglewood Forest.
Market Day - Tuesday is traditionally market day in Penrith and the many varied stalls are well worth a look.
cycle shops
Arragons - Brunswick Road, Penrith Tel: 01768 890344 - Arragons are a C2C Stamping Station and are renowned for helping C2C'ers and other cycle tourists out in moments of 'mechanical failure' as well as offering a large range of cycle clothing and accessories in their showroom. Arragons also run a cycle hire service -
visit their website for more info.
Halfords - Ullswater Road, Penrith Tel: 01768 892960
eating places
Platinum Chinese Restaurant - 19 King Street, Penrith CA11 7AJ - Tel: 01768 210210
Excellent Chinese cuisine to eat either in the licensed restaurant or to take away.
Ice Cream Garden - 10, Cornmarket, Penrith - Tea Room and Ice Cream Parlour with sheltered sunny (?) garden. Open during the summer but shut on Wednesdays
Giannis - Market Square, Penrith - An excellent Italian restaurant in the centre of town
Costas Tapas Bar & Restaurant - 9, Queen Street, Penrith - Typical Mediterranean Spanish style Restaurant.
The Three Crowns Cafe - Three Crowns Yard, Penrith CA11 7PH tel:01768899789 - Just off the town centre this cafe comes very well recommended by The Sticky Toffee Pudding Gang who have this to say "The service was excellent and the food tasty and inexpensive plus there is handy street furniture to lock your bikes to just outside the cafe window. The cafe is open 9am to 5.30 Monday to Saturday"
route features
click here for a map of Penrith
You enter Penrith via the Newton Rigg bridleway which passes under the M6 motorway and brings you out at the north end of the town. You then cycle through town and leave Penrith via a long, steep hill (not known as Fell Lane for nothing!) up onto Beacon Edge which overlooks the town. If you look closely enough from here you can see 3 castles - Penrith, Brougham and Lowther as well stunning views over to Lake Ullswater and its surrounding fells including Helvellyn and the High Street range. After Penrith you follow quiet, country lanes (beware the sharp left hand turn approx. 1 mile after the Roundthorn Hotel, it has caused C2C'ers some nasty accidents!) for a short distance through the much overlooked Eden Valley till you reach the next village of Langwathby. There is a route map to help you navigate through Penrith on the Urban Areas of the site.
Accommodation
Run by: Fellfoot
Fellfoot Independent is a well recommended hostel facility in the centre of town 85 km from the start of the C2C. Fellfoot offers welcoming and budget facilities for those determined souls in transit. There are four twin rooms, self catering facilities, private garden and secure Bike Storage. Also offers self-catering or bed and buffet breakfast accommodation. Availability all year round. We look farward to seeing you. Enquiries about renting the whole house for weekends or the week welcome.
Web : www.fellfoot.com
Email : ajruther4rd@homecall.co.uk
Rooms : 4T
B&B : £20 (bed alone); £23.50 (B&B)
Nearest pub : 2 minutes
Run by: Strickland Arms
A delightful diversion close to Ullswater, this warm and friendly pub has lots of character and is in the heart of a picturesque Eden Valley village 5 miles from Penrith. There is a secluded rear garden and a dry-stone walled terraced front, with an abundant display of flowers. Real fires, cask ales, a decent selection of wines to go with homemade food. The menu varies from individual short-crust pies, made fresh to order such as Steak & Ale, Chicken Leek, Mushroom & Smoked Bacon and our very own 'Stricky' Lamb & Ale. Also do more exotic dishes such as Moroccan meat cakes.
Website : www.thestricklandarms.co.uk
Email : stricklandarmspenrith@hotmail.co.uk
Rooms : 1T, 1D
B&B : £30-£45
Evening meal : £6 - £15
Packed lunch : Yes - depends what you want
Secure lock up : bike washing facility
5 miles from route in Eden Valley : Route goes near Ullswater
Run by: Albany House
Lovely mid-Victorian town house close to town centre. Hospitality tray, drying facilities, secure bike storage. Hearty breakfast and the warmest of welcomes.
Web : www.albany-house.org.uk
Email : info@albany-house.org.uk
Rooms : 2D, 3F.
B&B : £27.50-£40
Packed Lunch : From £2.50
Distance from C2C : On route. Pub nearby
3 star AA : Highly Commended
Tynedale Guest House, 4 Victoria Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8HR
Run by: Tynedale Guest House
High level of comfort and attention to detail. Quality en-suite accommodation in a warm and friendly environment offering a delicious, locally sourced English breakfast. Secure cycle storage; an excellent pedal-stop for weary C2Cers. Pubs and restaurants all close by.
e-mail : marguerite@tynedaleguesthouse.wanadoo.co.uk
home page : www.tynedale-guesthouse.co.uk
rooms : 1S, 3T, 5D, 2F (4 are en-suite)
months open : all year
B & B : from £29
evening meal : no although Pubs and Restaurants are nearby
packed lunch : if requested
secure cycle parking : yes
distance from route : 300 metres
pub : 200 metres
Run by: Abbey House
Just 5 minutes walk from the town. Located very close to the route. Four en-suite bedrooms with TVs and tea/coffee trays which can accommodate groups of up to 12. English breakfast. Secure lock up for cycles. A warm welcome and big breakfast awaits. Secure bike storage.
Web : www.abbeyhousebandb.co.uk
Email : anneabbeyhouse@aol.com
Rooms : 4 D/T two of which can be triples. Available as singles.
B&B : £30-£40
Packed lunch : from £5 (evening meal to be had in nearby pubs and restaurants)
Secure cycle storage : Pub: 50m, route 250m.
Run by: Acorn Guest House
Cycle friendly, immaculate family run guest house five minutes walk from the town centre. Sizeable rooms are airy and clean with colour TV. Full English breakfast using good local produce.
Web : www.acorn-guesthouse.co.uk
Email : acornguesthouse@fsmail.net
Rooms : 4D,4T,1F
B&B : £32.50 - £45
EM : Groups only catered for
PL : £4.50
On route : Pub: 50m
AA 4 stars : Secure lock-up
:
Run by: Blue Swallow Guest House
Clean, comfortable rooms, six of which are en-suite and one has a private bathroom. Colour TV, Tea/Coffee trays. Excellent English breakfast using local produce. Secure lock up for cycles. Easy access to eating and drinking establishments. Well recommended with lots of repeat business.
Web : www.blueswallow.co.uk
Email : blueswallow@tiscali.co.uk
Rooms : 4D, 4T, 2S, 3F (6 en-suite, one with private facilities)
B&B : £30-£40
Open all year : Evening meal: surrounded by pubs and restaurants
Packed lunch : £5
Distance from route : 300m
Distance from pub : 50m
Run by: Brooklands Guest House
Beautiful and recently refurbished Victorian terraced house ideal for exploring Northern Lakes and Eden Valley. Covered cycle storage and wash and drying facilities, we also offer, tea, coffee and biscuits after an hard day in the saddle. Rooms have fans, fridges, radio alarms, bottled water. Brooklands features in the prestigious Michelin Guide and gained the AA 4* Highly Commended Award for the past four years, putting it in the top 10% in Britain. Hearty Cumbrian breakfast, made with local produce. Also very close to Arragons cycle shop. Credit Cards accepted.
e-mail : enquiries@brooklandsguesthouse.com
home page : www.brooklandsguesthouse.com
rooms : 4D, 4T, 2S (6 en-suite)
months open : all year
B & B : from £35 per person
evening meal : no but pubs and restaurants nearby
packed lunch : £5
Covered cycle storage : On route
:
pub : 50 metres
Run by: Caledonia Guest House
Family run Victorian town house with good spacious roms. Good hearty breakfast in a warm and friendly atmosphere. New flat screen tellies, tea and coffee making facilities in all rooms. New bike shed.
Web : www.caledoniaguesthouse.co.uk
Email : ian.rhind1@virgin.net
Rooms : 2D, 3T, 1F
B&B : £31-£40
Packed Lunch : £5.00
Pub : 200m
Run by: Eden Gate
‘S.Rhodes & party from Teesside left the following note: “Excellent stop for C2Cers – unable to fault.” You too can enjoy our comfortable rooms, delicious breakfast, secure cycle parking. Within two to three minutes walk of shops and restaurants. Groups of up to 10 catered for.'
Website : edengateguesthouse.co.uk
Email : enquire@edengateguesthouse.co.uk
Rooms : 1D, 1T, 2F
B&B : £28 - £40
Pub 100m : Drying and secure lock-up
AIA inspection commendation :
Run by: Roundthorn Country House
A beautiful Georgian mansion with spectacular views of the Eden Valley & Lakeland Fells. All rooms are en-suite with TV and tea/coffee making facilties. The hotel has a licensed bar and is great value for money for a hotel of this class.
Fax : 01768 864 100
Webs : www.roundthorn.co.uk
Email : info@roundthorn.co.uk
Rooms : 7D, 2T, 2F (E-S).
B&B : £48 - £67 (licensed)
Packed Lunch : £7.50
Evening Meal : £8.50 - £10.50
Distance from C2C : On route. Pub 1.5 miles (hotel has bar)
VisitBritain : 5 star guest accommodation