Penrith sits in a sweet spot that most visitors to the Lake District overlook entirely. Just minutes from the M6 and with its own mainline rail station, this market town is the gateway to Ullswater, the Eden Valley, and some of the quietest, most beautiful corners of northern England. Whether you’re after big fell walks, family days out, or simply a great pub lunch, Penrith delivers — without the crowds you’ll find further west.
We’ve lived and hosted guests near Penrith for years, so this is the guide we wish someone had handed us when we first arrived. Think of it as a local’s cheat sheet.
Outdoor Activities
Ullswater — The Most Beautiful Lake
Wordsworth thought Ullswater was the most beautiful lake in England, and it’s hard to argue. It’s just 15 minutes from Penrith and feels a world away. Walk the shoreline path from Pooley Bridge to Howtown, take the Ullswater Steamer across the water, or hire a kayak and have the lake to yourself on a quiet morning. In spring, the daffodils at Aira Force are genuinely breathtaking.
Helvellyn & the Fells
If you’re a walker, Helvellyn via Striding Edge is one of England’s great ridge walks — dramatic, exhilarating, and accessible from the Glenridding side of Ullswater. For something gentler, Hallin Fell above Howtown takes about an hour and gives you panoramic views over the whole lake. Blencathra from Threlkeld is another local favourite.
Lowther Castle & Gardens
Lowther Castle is a magnificent ruined castle with beautifully restored gardens, a wild play area for children, and miles of parkland to explore. It’s just 5 miles from Penrith and makes a perfect half-day out. Dogs welcome in the grounds.
Brougham Castle
This atmospheric English Heritage ruin sits at the junction of the rivers Eamont and Lowther, just outside Penrith. It’s small enough to explore in an hour but steeped in history — Lady Anne Clifford restored it in the 17th century. Entry is just a few pounds and children love scrambling around the walls.
Fishing
The Eden is one of England’s finest salmon and trout rivers. Several stretches near Penrith are available for day tickets. Ullswater also offers good fishing — ask locally about permits and the best spots for char and brown trout.
Family Days Out
Rheged Centre
Rheged is built into a hillside just off the A66 and houses a cinema, exhibitions, an excellent food hall, and independent shops. It’s the go-to rainy day venue for families near Penrith. The cinema shows mainstream and family films, and there’s usually something on for children during school holidays.
J&J’s Ice Cream Farm
A working dairy farm near Brougham where you can watch ice cream being made and, more importantly, taste it. The flavours change with the seasons and it’s a lovely stop on the way back from Ullswater. Children can meet the calves and there’s a small play area.
Wetheriggs Pottery & Animal Rescue
A quirky combination of pottery painting and animal rescue centre on the edge of Penrith. Children love feeding the goats, rabbits and alpacas, and the pottery painting keeps them occupied for a surprisingly long time. A solid option for younger children.
Food & Drink
The Best Pubs
The Strickland Arms in Great Strickland is our local — proper pub food, great beer, dog-friendly, and just 200 yards from Fern and Maple Cottages. The George and Dragon in Clifton is a step up — a beautifully restored coaching inn owned by the Lowther Estate, serving locally sourced food that’s consistently excellent. For something more traditional, the Crown at Eamont Bridge is a proper village local.
Restaurants
For a special evening, Askham Hall near Lowther is a country house restaurant with a kitchen garden and tasting menus that rival anything in the Lakes. In Penrith itself, Four & Twenty does excellent daytime food and the Terrace at the North Lakes Hotel is reliable for dinner.
Farm Shops
Cranstons on the edge of Penrith is a proper Cumbrian food shop — Cumberland sausage, local cheeses, pies, and fresh bread. The food hall at Rheged is also worth browsing, and the Tebay Services farm shop (15 minutes south on the M6) is genuinely outstanding — quite possibly the best motorway stop in Britain.
Rainy Day Options
The Lake District gets its fair share of rain — it’s how we get those beautiful green valleys. When the clouds roll in:
- Rheged Centre — cinema, exhibitions, food hall and shopping under one roof
- Penrith Museum — free, small, and genuinely interesting on the town’s history
- Shopping in Penrith — independent bookshops, outdoor gear shops, antiques, and a proper high street that hasn’t been entirely taken over by chains
- Penrith Leisure Centre — swimming pool and soft play if you have young children climbing the walls
Hidden Gems
Long Meg and Her Daughters
One of England’s largest stone circles, and far less visited than Castlerigg near Keswick. It’s about 20 minutes north-east of Penrith, sits in open farmland, and is free to visit. The setting is atmospheric — Long Meg herself is a tall outlying stone covered in faded Bronze Age carvings.
Larch Cottage Nurseries
A garden lover’s paradise near Melkinthorpe, about 10 minutes from Penrith. The nursery has an exceptional plant collection, a gallery, and a restaurant. Even if you’re not a gardener, it’s a beautiful, peaceful place to wander.
Temple Sowerby
A quiet village on the A66 with the excellent Acorn Bank (National Trust) — a medieval house with a walled herb garden that’s particularly lovely in spring and summer. The walk through the woodland to the watermill is gentle and beautiful.
Where to Stay
Our three cottages are perfectly placed for exploring everything on this list. Based in the villages of Great Strickland and Eamont Bridge, you’re just minutes from Penrith and Ullswater but in proper, quiet Cumbrian countryside.
- Fern Cottage — sleeps 5, dog-friendly, wood-burning stove, 200 yards from the pub
- Maple Cottage — sleeps 6, dog-friendly, 17th-century barn with oak beams
- Rittson Cottage — sleeps 4, riverside, designer interior, perfect for couples
Not sure which cottage suits you best? Take our quiz and we’ll match you in under a minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Penrith in the Lake District?
Penrith sits just outside the Lake District National Park boundary, but it’s the main gateway to the eastern Lakes. Ullswater is 15 minutes away, and the national park boundary is just a few miles west of town. For practical purposes, Penrith is very much “Lake District” — you just get better value and fewer crowds than staying inside the park.
How far is Penrith from Ullswater?
Pooley Bridge at the northern tip of Ullswater is about 5 miles (15 minutes) from Penrith. Glenridding, at the southern end near Helvellyn, is about 14 miles (25 minutes). Both have car parks, though Pooley Bridge can fill up on busy summer days — arriving before 10am is wise.