Penrith scenes collage

We spent a very instructive day pounding the streets of Penrith.

We loved the town centre, lots of independent shops as well as banks, building societies, butchers, bakers, delicatessen and greengrocers. Many businesses have been around for a long time as shown by their shop front signs. Plenty of cafes too.

A real “town centre”. Not too many empty shops, interesting information boards and some colourful street art as well. St Andrew’s Church was dressed for Christmas and the Giant’s Grave told of a local legend.

The streets are punctuated by little square, yards and alleyways which make for interesting explorations. Christmas lights look good.

The people at the Tourist Information Centre helped us orientate ourselves, explaining the different residential areas we then went to investigate which involved quite a bit of uphill towards Beacon Edge and Beacon Hill. Fascinating museum too and plenty of information leaflets to help us further.

Around 3.00pm we’d had enough and went back to the hotel for tea and a rest having covered over 6.5 miles around the streets of Penrith. About to go and get something to eat. There’s a Sainsbury’s next door and I think we’re going to have a picnic in the hotel room!