Things to do in Penrith

Activities, attractions and tours

Red ruins of a Castle in the market town of Penrith. There's also a park with bandstand & cafe.
Red ruins of a Castle in the market town of Penrith. There's also a park with bandstand & cafe.
Interested in Fly Fishing? Geoff Johnstone "The Eden Angler" teaches both beginners and accomplished fisherman the fine art of fly fishing. Here you can see my novice wife with Geoff during a successful session of tuition in a private section the Eden River just east of Penrith. Geoff is an exceptionally knowledgeable and well regarded professional fly fisher.
Panoramic views towards the Lake District, the Dales and the How Gill fells from here
Helvellyn at 700 meters high
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Most popular experiences in Penrith

Tours & day trips

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Windermere, Lancaster & Lake District from Manchester

Windermere, Lancaster & Lake District from Manchester

Activity duration is 11 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €89 per adult
Windermere, Lancaster & Lake District from ManchesterOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

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Full-Day Trip to Lake Windermere Lake District

Full-Day Trip to Lake Windermere Lake District

Activity duration is 10 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is €571 per traveller*
Full-Day Trip to Lake Windermere Lake DistrictOpens in new tab

Attractions

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Windermere: 24-Hr Hop-on Hop-off Cruise. See all of the lake

Windermere: 24-Hr Hop-on Hop-off Cruise. See all of the lake

Free cancellation available
Price is €29 per adult
Windermere: 24-Hr Hop-on Hop-off Cruise. See all of the lakeOpens in new tab

Water activities

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Windermere: 24-Hr Hop-on Hop-off Cruise. See all of the lake

Windermere: 24-Hr Hop-on Hop-off Cruise. See all of the lake

Free cancellation available
Price is €29 per adult
Windermere: 24-Hr Hop-on Hop-off Cruise. See all of the lakeOpens in new tab

What to do in Penrith

Popular places to visit

Ullswater

Ullswater

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Ullswater during your travels in Penrith. Stroll along the area's lakeside or simply savour its lively bars.

Ullswater
Lowther Castle at Penrith in Lake District from Cumbria in England, Shutterstock ID 712013206, SF SSA Case with Manager Approval: Case 07151371, Job: Prepay credit, Client/Licensee: , Other:

Lowther Castle and Gardens

You can find out about the history of Lowther with a visit to Lowther Castle and Gardens. Stroll along the lakeside in this relaxing area or visit its top-notch restaurants.

Lowther Castle and Gardens
Red ruins of a Castle in the market town of Penrith. There's also a park with bandstand & cafe.

Penrith Castle

Penrith Castle is just one of the places to see in Penrith, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around this culturally rich area's lakeside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Penrith Castle
Aira Force waterfall after a rainy day and at its most dramatic

Aira Force

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Aira Force during your travels in Matterdale. Amble around this quaint area's lakeside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Aira Force
A surprising Topiary Dragon in the gardens of Dalemain, a handsome Country House in the Eden valley near Penrith. Also look out for the herd of fallow deer in the deer park and try the marmalade in the gift shop. Dalemain holds an annual marmalade fest every March.

Dalemain Country Park

Explore the great outdoors at Dalemain Country Park, a lovely green space in Dacre. While you're in the area, wander around the parks.

Dalemain Country Park
Knocker on door with sanctuary ring

Brougham Hall

You can browse the exhibits at Brougham Hall, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Eamont Bridge. Amble around this relaxing area's lakeside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Brougham Hall
One of the smaller lakes in The Lake District, it lies at the bottom of the Kirkstone Pass, with views over lovely Patterdale valley. There is a lakeside path and a pleasant level walk from Cow bridge car park, will lead you to a campsite and The brotherswater Inn. Both pet friendly.

Brotherswater

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Brotherswater during your travels in Patterdale. Stroll along the lakeside or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Brotherswater

Whinfell Forest

Explore the great outdoors at Whinfell Forest, a lovely green space in Brougham. Stroll along the lakeside in this relaxing area or visit its lively bars.

Whinfell Forest

Lowther Park

Learn about the local history of Lowther with a stop at Lowther Park. Stroll along the lakeside in this relaxing area or visit its lively bars.

Lowther Park

Areas of Penrith

Localised flooding. The water has not put the students off at all. They are walking a dog through the water.

Newton Rigg

While Newton Rigg may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Rheged and Lowther Castle and Gardens.

Newton Rigg
Ambleside showing night scenes, a small town or village and street scenes

Ambleside

Keswick featuring markets and street scenes as well as a large group of people

Keswick

Windermere which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and café lifestyle

Windermere

driving early morning and this happened just outside of carlise.

Carlisle

Alamy

Kendal

Appleby-in-Westmorland

Appleby-in-Westmorland

Derwentwater from the lower slopes of Blencathra

Threlkeld

Old Cumbrian Farmhouse
Photo by John Slann (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Culgaith

Frequently asked questions

Is Penrith worth visiting?
Providing a blend of walking trails and views, there's no shortage of things to do in Penrith. When you're here, check out Lowther Castle and Gardens, a key attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Penrith?
After you've visited top attractions like Lowther Castle and Gardens and Rookin House Activity Centre, spend the rest of your day experiencing the retail and food options in Penrith.
What is the top tourist attraction in Penrith?
Lowther Castle and Gardens is one of the top tourist attractions in Penrith and should feature high on every itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Penrith?
Three days in Penrith is enough to enjoy the city's leading attractions. Many guests book for two days on average. Lowther Castle and Gardens, Brougham Castle and Penrith & Eden Museum are among the top-rated sights. Like to see more? Stick around a while longer to visit nearby hotspots like Windermere.
Is Penrith a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and leading attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Penrith is a great place to tour on foot. Enjoy wandering between Brougham Castle and Penrith & Eden Museum. Then take a stroll through Tirril, located 3 kilometres from downtown, and Sockbridge and Tirril, which is roughly 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Penrith with kids?
Whether you're travelling with young explorers or adventure-seeking teens, a schedule filled with fun activities makes all the difference. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Penrith with kids.

What to do in Penrith for adults?
High Cup Winery is one of the best things to do in Penrith. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Penrith?
In Penrith, Lacy's Caves is a popular spot for anyone looking to enjoy the city without taking their wallet out. Also, stroll around the local parks and neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for tips. It's a top way to learn about the best free things to do in Penrith.

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