Penrith

Penrith is a handsome red sandstone market town sitting on the north-eastern edge of the Lake District National Park, long regarded as the gateway to the Eden Valley. Its central streets retain a distinctly Georgian and Victorian character, with narrow yards and arcades opening off the main thoroughfares of King Street, Middlegate and Devonshire Street. A market has been held in Penrith since the 13th century and stalls still gather in the Market Square on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The ruins of Penrith Castle stand in a public park opposite the railway station. Built in the late 14th century as a defence against Scottish raids, it was later enlarged by Richard, Duke of Gloucester (the future Richard III) before falling into decay after the Civil War. Other landmarks include St Andrew's Church, with its curious Giant's Grave of Norse-era hogback stones in the churchyard, and the Penrith and Eden Museum housed in the former Robinson's School.

The town makes a practical base for exploring Ullswater, the northern fells and the Eden Valley, with regular trains on the West Coast Main Line and good bus links to Keswick, Pooley Bridge and Carlisle.