Top Things to do in Penrith
10 Free Things to do in Penrith That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Penrith, United Kingdom including Hedgehog Bookshop, The Toffee Shop, Hallin Fell, Chestnut House, Long Meg and her Daughters, Silver Yard Gallery, Penrith Museum, Aira Force, Shap Abbey, Red Barn Gallery.
Restaurants in Penrith
1. Hedgehog Bookshop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Penrith's AWARD WINNING independently owned bookshop in an 18th century building the center of town. Children's books are downstairs (accessible for prams) & grown up books upstairs. The shop is also open on Sundays 11:00 - 4:30 during the summer. We used to have a small vegan coffee shop, but this closed in September 2015 to make room for more books. It had excellent reviews here, so I'm sorry to disappoint fans, but in the end it really wasn't viable and expanding the bookshop made more sense & the book side of the business continues to thrive with a huge amount of local support (for which - thank you everyone!)
Reviewed By 499rickil - Pooley Bridge, United Kingdom
Been here a few times for kids books. Always helpful and friendly and very competitively priced for an independent book store. Thankyou
2. The Toffee Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By AdrianR856
We were married on Sunday the 1st of November and spent the Monday buying sun cream and Mosquito repellent for our honeymoon the next day Sadly that same night our honeymoon was cancelled so we hastily made a few calls and booked the lakes Whilst there we discovered “ The toffee shop “ And what intrigued me was a shop that just sold toffee If you have a shop that just sells toffee you need to make sure it’s the best toffee that is around Well..... As it happens they don’t only just make toffee they also make fudge , but the toffee is simply out of this world and staff are wonderfully friendly as well It really is good enough for a shop all of its its own We all know another brand of toffee , which I have purchased in the past ,this toffee is simply in a different league and is streets ahead . It’s brave to have a small independent shop selling just two products in todays economic climate So do them and yourself a favour and drive up or go online and try this delightful treat You will not be disappointed
3. Hallin Fell
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 168 reviews
Reviewed By paulsymonds - Haverhill, United Kingdom
Only my second Lakeland fell climb to date to me to Hallin Fell. We accessed the climb from the car park at St Peters church in Martindale. The little road that passes a few camp sites is driven from near Pooley bridge. Beware at busy times bank holidays being the main, the road is extremely difficult to navigate due volume of traffic and on one occasion a full sized coach manoeuvred along when we exited. Back to the climb, it is a very steep grassy track accessed on the opposite side of the road. With average fitness and resting you should make the summit in around half an hour. Believe me the views are magnificent in all directions. I loved it and I'm sure you will too, it's worth all the effort!
4. Chestnut House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 175 reviews
With around 400 different gins and an eclectic mix of wines, beers, spirits, food and drink, Chestnut House is fast becoming the place to shop in Cumbria and The Lakes
Reviewed By CKM6969 - Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Probably the best selection of deli style foods, beers, wines & spirits I've ever seen in such a compact store. Owners & staff super friendly and absolutely know their stuff, and stock some stunning local produce and lots more - if you like gin then this will be your 'Gin Nirvana' and I'd highly recommend you pay them and the lovely little village that is Pooley Bridge a visit - definitely on my list next time I'm over that way
5. Long Meg and her Daughters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 249 reviews
Dating from the Bronze Age, this is England's third largest stone circle that consists of a huge ring (the Daughters) of more than 60 stones and Long Meg, a 12-foot-high block of red sandstone.
Reviewed By juliethetraveller123 - Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Impressive, especially Long Meg with the stone carved cup and rings on the red sandstone whilst her daughters making up the stone circle are granite boulders. We set off from Little Salkeld intending to do the five-mile walk which includes Lacy's Caves however the footpath on the banks of the Eden was closed due to flood erosion so we walked directly to see the circle.
6. Silver Yard Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
7. Penrith Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By durham05 - Durham, United Kingdom
Always impressed with the displays here which are rotated on a regular basis. Small but quite a lot to see. Free admission as well.
8. Aira Force
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,229 reviews
For 300 years visitors have been drawn here, where rainwater runs from the fells into Aira Beck and thunders in one 65-foot leap over the falls. Yet, Aira Force is much more than an impressive waterfall. A network of trails weaves its way from Ullswater lakeshore to Gowbarrow summit, passing towering Himalayan firs, rare red squirrels, woodland glades, picnic spots and views out across Ullswater. You can start your day in Glenridding and arrive by boat, taking in the sights of Ullswater Valley along the way, then stroll back to Glenridding through Glencoyne Park and along the lakeshore. Ullswater valley is truly breathtaking, with its beautiful lake nestled amongst towering fells. The epic scenery and relative underdevelopment compared to other areas of the Lake District gives Ullswater a secluded and tranquil feel.
Reviewed By stevesQ9601RS - County Durham, United Kingdom
Been here before, called again on a lovely Sunday afternoon, very busy, not many spaces in the car park. Free entry and car parking as National Trust members, a lovely 2 or 3 mile walk, different options, the various waterfalls were magnificent as is the local scenery and with spring blooming and the sun shining, a great way to spend an hour or so. Will return again on our next visit to Ullswater.
9. Shap Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
Reviewed By sueandfrank_11 - Liverpool, United Kingdom
Magical place in a beautiful setting ,nice to just sit quietly and take in the scenery.There are information boards so you can get a good idea of the way it would have looked when the abotts lived there.
10. Red Barn Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
One of the foremost galleries in the North West. Internationally known names exhibit alongside those who are showing for the first time, making sure the gallery never stands still
Reviewed By 227ianc - London, United Kingdom
We were spending a few days in the Lake District, one of which was spent touring in and around Penrith. We found out about the gallery and, in the current circumstances, emailed in advance to find out if it was open and what artists would be on show, to which we received a most helpful reply. The Gallery is part of a complex which includes the Larch Cottage Nurseries, with its amazing collection of plants, shrubs and sculptures for sale and a restaurant. During limited periods in the summer, the private gardens are open - something to plan for a future visit. The Gallery had an excellent selection of art and artists on show, all for sale, some remarkably affordable, with a car park just across the road, and is well worth a visit if you are in the area.
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