Our Town
Welcome to Penrith
Penrith is a vibrant Cumbrian market town with a strong sense of place, proud heritage, and an active community. Situated between the Lake District National Park and the Eden Valley, Penrith combines natural beauty with a lively town centre, making it an exceptional place to live, work, visit and invest. With excellent transport links, a rich historic environment, and a year‑round programme of events and activities, Penrith offers the best of traditional market town life alongside modern amenities and ambition for the future.
A Historic Market Town
Penrith’s history spans centuries and is still visible across the town today. From the ruins of Penrith Castle to the town’s historic churches, sandstone buildings and traditional streets, Penrith’s past shapes its distinctive character. The town has long served as a hub for the surrounding rural communities, with market and trading traditions that continue today. Penrith’s identity as a market town remains central to its role within Cumbria.
Gateway to the Lakes and Eden Valley
Penrith is a destination in its own right – a welcoming market town with heritage, culture, independent businesses and a strong year‑round events programme. Spend time exploring the town’s historic streets and landmarks, enjoy local food and drink, and discover what’s on in and around the centre.
From Penrith, the wider area is right on the doorstep. Often described as the northern gateway to the Lake District, the town is ideally placed for exploring some of England’s most dramatic landscapes, with Ullswater just a short distance away. At the same time, Penrith sits at the heart of the Eden Valley, offering tranquil countryside, wildlife‑rich landscapes, and strong connections to local farming and land‑based industries – making it an ideal base for exploring, while still offering plenty to enjoy in town.
A Lively Town Centre
Penrith’s town centre is compact, welcoming and full of character. It offers a mix of independent shops, national retailers, cafés, pubs and restaurants, alongside essential services and community spaces. The town continues to invest in improvements to public spaces, accessibility and signage, helping to make the centre easy to enjoy for residents and visitors alike.
Events and Community Life
Penrith has a strong calendar of community and cultural events that bring the town together throughout the year. These include family‑friendly celebrations, festivals, commemorations, cultural performances, markets and community activities in parks, streets and public spaces. Flagship events such as Penrith May Day, seasonal town centre events, and cultural festivals help to celebrate local talent, voluntary groups and community spirit. Alongside these large events, many smaller activities and initiatives take place, organised by local organisations, businesses and volunteers.