5 Fun Things To Do Near Penrith

24 September 2019

Penrith is located just on the edge of the Lake District, and right beside the M6. This makes it a really convenient place to visit no matter where you are coming from in the UK. And it has plenty of great reasons for you to make that trip and spend some time enjoying the local area.

Our Lowther Holiday Park is conveniently located right in Penrith, so be sure to check our availability if you need somewhere to stay.

If you need any inspiration for things to do in the local area, here are a few of the best local attractions to enjoy.

Lowther Castle and Gardens

Lowther Castle and Gardens is a real gem in this area of the Lake District. It is a great place to spend a day or an afternoon, and there is plenty to see and do for the whole family.

The ruins of the castle itself still stand intact, after it was demolished in 1957. Walking amongst the old walls is an impressive sight, as are the gardens within the larger garden.

For children, there is a large adventure playground, as well as swings and playhouses dotted around the gardens. There is also a cafe to refuel at after a morning or afternoon spent wandering the grounds.

The Rheged Centre

The Rheged Centre is a great place to head to if you have kids. Or if you enjoy cinema, exhibitions, talks and workshops, and much more.

They put on family theatre shows, pottery painting, children’s activities. They also have a soft play area as well as a cinema.

There are cafes to enjoy some food and drink, and a toy shop selling plenty of toys for the little ones to get excited by.

It is a great place to head to on a rainy day, or if you need to keep the little ones occupied for an afternoon. Or if you simply want to watch the latest films.

Long Meg and her Daughters

Long Meg and her Daughters is England’s third largest stone circle, made up of a large ring of stones, with a few outlier stones. The largest of these outliers is Meg, and the circle of stones is referred to as her Daughters.

Meg has traces of spiral carvings on its face, which are in the Bronze Age style. And there are many legends associated with Meg and her Daughters.

One such story is that the stones were a coven of witches, who were turned to stone by a magician. The legend says that if anyone moves or destroys the circle, something terrible will happen to them.

Dalemain

Dalemain is a stately home and gardens. And also the home to the World’s Original Marmalade Festival.

Visitors can enjoy the house and the architecture, five acres of wonderful gardens and historic parkland. Then refuel with food served in the Medieval Hall Tearoom.

It is one of the most impressive stately homes in the North West of England. With a Georgian façade of pink stone, which glows in the sunlight. There is a ‘Bird Man of Dalemain’, who feeds songbirds from his hands, a topiary dragon, and the gardens are home to a famous Himalayan Blue Poppy.

If you love scones, then you’ll enjoy trying theirs, which are made from a secret recipe. And served with their award-winning marmalade!

Askham Outdoor Swimming Pool

During the summer months, there are few things more enjoyable than cooling off with a swim. The last thing you want is to head to an indoor leisure centre, only able to see the sun through windows. So why not head to Askham Outdoor Swimming Pool?

There are two heated pools, one for the little ones and a 20-metre pool for everybody else. The pools feature lifeguards, toilets, shower facilities, and plenty of green space to enjoy a picnic or lie in the sun after a swim.

You can visit a kiosk serving ice cream, snacks and drinks, and they even offer private hire for parties and events.

We hope this has given you some inspiration for fun things to see and do near Penrith. Be sure to check the availability of our local parks if you’re planning on staying in the area!