Penrith, the Eden Valley and Points South

Take A69 East to M6. Leave M6 at exit 40

The Eden Valley is one of England’s lesser-known, beautifully unspoilt districts. Stretching from the mountains of the Lake District to the high moorlands of the Pennines, Eden is a gently rolling landscape of pasture and woodland through which the River Eden wends its way to the Solway Firth. To the east it is overlooked by Helvellyn, the third highest of the Cumbrian peaks and to the west, Cross Fell, the highest point on the Pennines.

The area has long been inspirational for artists and sculptors, whose work can be seen in its many galleries.

Visit the Eden benchmarks at a variety of locations along the river.

Approximately 40 minutes’ drive

Penrith is a traditional Cumbrian sandstone market town which still boasts a range of family-run shops and cafes.

Visit the St Andrew’s Church and the nearby Giant’s Grave, its origins shrouded in mystery, or seek the former haunts of the poet, William Wordsworth.

Youngsters enjoy the Castle Park, a children’s playground set in the ruins of Penrith castle.

Around Penrith

Just north of Penrith

Hutton-in-the-Forest (M6 exit 41, B6305 towards Wigton)

A beautiful historic house, originally a medieval stronghold. The Pele Tower still survives. Lovely gardens with a stunning vista of the lake from the upper levels of the house. Excellent “Potfest” event, held annually in July and vintage cars rally held each year.

Tel: 01768 891440

West of Penrith

M6 exit 40, A66 west towards Keswick

Lilliput Lane Visitors’ Centre
Skirsgill CA11 0DP
Home of the famous miniature hand-painted cottages. Paint your own sessions and tours.
Tel: 01768 212692

www.liliputlane.co.uk

Rheged  (2 miles out of Penrith travelling west on the A66)

Named from Arthurian legend, this underground structure boasts a giant IMAX screen showing 5 films daily, shops and cafes serving distinctive Cumbrian food and fun activities for children of all ages. There is a soft play area  indoors and “Turrets and Tunnels” outdoors. Fairs as diverse as “Made in Cumbria”, “Collectors”, the Natural Health and Mind, Body and Spirit and New Guitars are held here throughout the year.  Free entry.

Tel: 01768 868000

www.rheged.com

Stainton

Commuter village serving Penrith, but there are still charming limestone cottages around an unspoilt village green. Ullswater is just down the road, Rheged is half a mile away.

The Alpaca Centre
CA 11 0HA

All things alpaca. These delightful creatures are noted for their wool and knitwear may be purchased here.

Tel: 01768 866952

www.thealpacacentre.co.uk

Greystone House,
Stainton
A working farm and farm shop.

Tel: 01768 866952

Dacre

Signed to the left off the A66 travelling west towards Keswick.

An unspoilt hamlet lying two miles north of Pooley Bridge at the gateway to the northern lakes, Dacre has the remains of a privately-owned castle with a 14th century keep. The four stone bears in the churchyard allegedly rested on its four corners in days gone by. There is an interesting window engraved by Lawrence Whistler in St Andrew’s Church.

Greystoke

Follow A66 towards Keswick, Greystoke is signed off to the right on the B5288.

Thought to be the final resting place of Lord William Howard and his wife Elizabethof Naworth Castle, near Lanercost, Greystoke lies 4 miles west of Penrith.

The village lends its name to the fictional character, Lord Greystoke of Tarzan fame.

It was in this area that the 11th Duke of Norfolk built three follies to irritate his Tory neighbours, the Lowther family whom he regarded as upstarts! He succeeded; they were against the American Revolution and did not deem “Bunker’s Hill” a suitable address.

East of Penrith

M6 exit 40, take A66 west

Brougham Hall

Just outside Penrith off the A66. The historic home of the Brougham family fell into ruins in the 1930s. A program of restoration is now underway, and a range of craft workshops, a tearoom and a gift shop have been established within the impressive outer walls.

Langwathby

A66 west. then take A686 in the direction of Alston.

Cross the austere metal girder bridge over the River Eden to this attractive fellside village. The old fashioned station is served by the Carlisle to Settle railway.

The village has a pretty village green with a children’s play area. Nearby is Eden Ostrich World where there are not only ostriches to feed, but sheep to milk and a variety of animals for children to see close-up. Play and picnic area, gift shop and rodeo bull.  Langwathby has an annual scarecrow festival.

Tel: 01768 881771

www.ostrich-world.com

Little Salkeld Watermill

(Turn left at the village green in Langwathby)

Excellent 18th century working organic flour mill. Driven by 2 overshot French burr millstones fed by fresh water from the High Pennines. Guided mill tours are available and there is a good organic tea room serving morning coffee, wholefood vegetarian lunches and afternoon tea. A wide variety of flour, made from British bio-dynamic or organic grain is on sale in the shop, plus probably the best porridge oats in the area.

Long Meg and Her Daughters Stone Circle

(Just up the road from the crossroads in Little Salkeld)

Much more important than a Druid’s Circle, Long Meg is a massive monolith standing proudly amongst the lesser columns and boulders. Legend has it that if you try to count them you’ll never arrive at the same number twice. The tall red sandstone pillar, featuring ring and spiral carvings is thought to have been placed here over 5000 years ago.

Melmerby

(Travel east through Langwathby on the A686 towards Alston)

Home of the famous “Village bakery” and art gallery, the helm wind from the north-east batters this attractive fellside village – just take a look at the many clumps of trees planted to provide shelter. 

Pub food is available at the Shepherd’s Inn on the village green.

South of Penrith

Leave M6 at exit 40 and take the A6 south towards Shap.

Clifton Dykes
CA10 2HD

Home of the renowned steam-powered pottery and craft centre, Wetheriggs is set in 7 acres of countryside with a newt pond and rare breed pigs. Children will enjoy the play area and “have a go” studio where they may throw their own pots or paint models.Named as a National Industrial monument in 1973.

Tel: 01768 892733

www.wetheriggs-pottery.co.uk

Nearby Morland is an attractive village with a tearoom and its own renowned, family-run travellers’ shop. CA10 3AZ

Melkinthorpe

Take A6 towards Shap then turn left at Eamont Bridge.

A tranquil Cumbrian hamlet, Melkinthorpe boasts an extensive and interesting garden centre with its own tea room and good local ice cream at Abbot Lodge.