Penrith


tourist information centre
01768 867466

Whitehaven to Penrith 53 miles
Penrith to Sunderland 81 miles

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.

recommendations
If you have found a cafe, eating place, cycle shop or anywhere you might like to recommend to other C2C'ers then send it in for inclusion into The C2C Guide.

rooms .... 2 double - 1 twin - 2 family - 2 en-suite
months open .... all year
B & B .... £25.00 to £40.00
evening meal .... no, although a variety of pubs & restaurants are nearby
packed lunch .... yes
non-smoking .... yes
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 30 yards
pub .... 40 yards

Lovely mid-Victorian town house close to town centre. Hospitality tray. Drying facilities. Secure indoor bike storage and hearty breakfast. AA 3 Star grading.



Caledonia Guest House

Ian and Sue Rhind
8 Victoria Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8HL
tel: 01768 864482
e-mail: ian.rhind1@virgin.net
home page: www.caledoniaguesthouse.co.uk

rooms .... 2 double - 3 twin - 1 family - 6 en-suite
months open .... all year
B & B .... from £29.00
evening meal .... no
packed lunch .... yes
non-smoking .... yes
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 300 metres
pub .... 100 metres

we offer a warm welcome, comfortable rooms and a terrific breakfast here at our Victorian Town House. All our rooms are en suite and are equipped with TV's, Tea and Coffee making facilities and central heating. We have secure parking and safe cycling storage.

'Fellfoot' Independent Hostel for Cyclist and Backpackers

Alasdair and Jackie Rutherford
enquiries at Laurel Bank next door to Fellfoot

10 Fell Lane Penrith Cumbria CA11 8AA
tel: 01768 840 327
e-mail: ajruther4rd@homecall.co.uk
home page: www.fellfoot.com

rooms .... 4 rooms - 8 beds
months open .... all year
bed only .... £20.00 per bed - £23.50 inc. continental breakfast
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... Front door is on the route
pub / restaurants .... Large selection locally

Purpose built renovation of a small townhouse attached to former manse,(listed building). A few seconds walk from Penrith centre, all local facilities. Fellfoot Hostel has been developed following many years of touring so we think it has most of the necessary facilities. Continental breakfast, packed lunches and much more. Self Catering available.



Roundthorn Country House

Graham Carruthers
Roundthorn Country House, Beacon Edge,
Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 85J
tel: 01768 863952
fax: 01768 864100
e-mail: info@roundthorn.co.uk
home page: www.roundthorn.co.uk

rooms .... 6 double - 2 twin - 2 family - 10 en-suite
months open .... all year
B & B .... £42.50 pppn
evening meal .... yes
packed lunch .... yes
non-smoking .... yes
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... on route
pub .... 1.5 mile although we have a licensed bar on the premises

A beautiful Georgian mansion with spectacular views of the Eden Valley, Pennines and Lakeland Fells. The hotel has a licensed bar , Great Cumbrian Breakfasts included in room rates. Drying facilities available.

Abbey House

Mark and Anne Holliday
7 Victoria Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8HR
tel: 01768 863414
fax: 01768 863414
e-mail: anneabbeyhouse@aol.com
home page: www.abbeyhousebandb.co.uk

rooms .... 3 double - 3 twin - 2 family
months open .... all year
B & B .... £28.00 to £30.00
evening meal .... no, although pubs and restaurants are nearby
packed lunch .... yes
non-smoking .... yes
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 250 yards
pub .... 50 metres

Just 5 minutes walk from the town. Located very close to the C2C cycle route. 4 en-suite bedrooms with TVs and tea/coffee trays. English breakfast. Secure lock up for cycles



Brooklands Guest House

Leon Kirk
2 Portland Place, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7QN
tel/fax: 01768 863395
e-mail: enquiries@brooklandsguesthouse.com
home page: www.brooklandsguesthouse.com

rooms .... 5 double - 3 twin - 2 single - 2 family - 6 en-suite
months open .... all year
B & B .... from £30.00 per person
evening meal .... no but Pubs and Restaurants nearby
packed lunch .... £4.00
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... on route
pub .... 50 metres

Charming and elegant, Brooklands Guest House is situated in the heart of historic Penrith. This beautiful, recently refurbished Victorian terraced house is an excellent base for exploring the many delights of the Lake District National Park while convenient for the attractive Eden Valley.

Our beautifully furnished rooms have fans, fridges, radio alarms, bottled water and hospitality tray with chocolates and biscuits, a selection of teas, coffee and hot chocolate. All our bathrooms come complete with dressing gowns, fluffy white towels and luxury toiletries for all your needs.

We have been invited into the famous Michelin Guide and gained the AA 4* Highly Commended Award for the past four years, putting Brooklands Guest House in the top 10% of Guest Accommodation for overall quality.

You can enjoy a hearty Cumbrian breakfast, made with the finest local produce setting you up for the day ahead. We are also only 50 meters  from Arragons cycle shop just in case of emergency. Credit Cards accepted.

 

Victoria Guest House

Pamela Charville
3 Victoria Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8HR
tel/fax: 01768 863823
e-mail: p.charville@btinternet.com
home page: www.vicguesthouse.co.uk

rooms .... 3 double - 3 twin - 1 single - 2 family - all ensuite
months open .... all year
B & B .... £25.00
evening meal .... no but Pubs and Restaurants nearby
packed lunch .... yes - £5.00
non-smoking .... yes
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 500 metres
pub .... 200 yards

A family run guest house offering a warm welcome and substantial breakfast. All rooms en-suite and tastefully furnished. Packed lunches supplied on request

Norcroft Guesthouse

Paul Lamb
Graham Street, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 9LQ
tel: 01768 862365
fax: 01768 210425
e-mail: reservations@norcroft-guesthouse.co.uk
home page: www.norcroft-guesthouse.co.uk

rooms .... 1 single - 1 triple - 7 double/twin - two rooms with annexe bunk beds (sleeps 4)
months open .... all year
B & B .... from £32.50 p.p.
evening meal .... no although pubs and restaurants are nearby
packed lunch .... yes
non smoking .... yes
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 10 yards
pub .... 3 mins

Just five minutes walk from the town centre, located on the C2C cycle route and accommodating up to 22 in spacious en-suite rooms. The Norcroft boasts an ideal location for cyclists. Hearty breakfast included. We have a liquor license. Drying facilities and lock up bike storage available. Major credit cards accepted. RAC 4 Diamonds

Blue Swallow Guest House

Peter and Cynthia Barry
Blue Swallow Guest House, 11 Victoria Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8HR
tel: 01768 866335
e-mail: blueswallow@tiscali.co.uk
home page: www.blueswallow.co.uk

rooms .... 3 double - 5 twin - 2 single - 3 family - 5 en-suite
months open .... all year
B & B .... £27.50 to £35
evening meal .... no but Pubs and Restaurants nearby
packed lunch .... if requested
non smoking .... yes
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 300 metres
pub .... 50 metres

Clean, comfortable rooms, en suite or private facilitiesm, colour TV, Tea/Coffee trays. Excellent English Breakfast using local produce. Secure lock up for cycles. Easy access to eating and drinking establishments. We are well recommended with lots of repeat business.

Acorn Guest House

Joyce White/Anita Kirkland
Scotland Road, Penrith, Cumbria CA11
tel/fax: 01768 868696
e-mail: acornguesthouse@fsmail.net
home page: www.acorn-guesthouse.co.uk

rooms .... 4 double - 3 twin - 1 family - single rooms available - all en-suite
months open .... all year
B & B .... £27.50 to £39.50
packed lunch .... £4.50
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... on our doorstep
pub .... 20 yards

Acorn is a newly refurbished family run guest house close to Penrith town centre, offering all who pass our door on the C2C route full facilities including secure bike storage and a hearty traditional breakfast to see you on your way.

Tynedale Guest House

Marguerite and Thomas Powley
Tynedale Guest House, 4 Victoria Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8HR
tel: 01768 867491
e-mail: marguerite@tynedaleguesthouse.wanadoo.co.uk
home page: www.tynedale-guesthouse.co.uk

rooms .... 3 twin - 5 double - 2 family - 1 single - 4 en suite
months open .... all year
B & B .... from £27.50
evening meal .... no although Pubs and Restaurants are nearby
packed lunch .... if requested
secure cycle parking .... yes
distance from route .... 300 metres
pub .... 100 yards

Tynedale is a newly refurbished Guest House offering a very high level of comfort and attention to detail, mixing old world qualities with new world amenities. Close to the town centre although in a quiet location, we offer quality en-suite accommodation in a warm and friendly environment. Our delicious English breakfast is a speciality and rated 'second to none' by our guests. Car parking at the rear along with secure cycle storage, Tynedale is an excellent 'pedal stop' for weary C2C cyclists.

Eden Gate offers warm, comfortable and tastefully furnished Bed and Breakfast accommodation. All guest rooms offer en-suite or private facilities, colour TV, central heating and tea/coffee making facilities. Secure private parking and cycle storage are available.