Hidden gems to find in Penrith

Penrith is one of the most popular market towns in Cumbria, so why not spend a day hunting out some of these nearby hidden gems to escape the crowds…

  • Acorn Bank

Around 20 minutes away from Penrith near Temple Sowerby hides Acorn Bank; a fabulous 17th century garden with a huge collection of medicinal and culinary plants, a walled garden sheltering orchards, a wild flower meadow and a formal, sunken garden that holds a pond. Other feautres include the old Acorn Bank Mill and the remains of 19th century mines. Be sure not to miss out the woodland trail from the gardens to Crowdundle Beck; this leads to a quiet spot with plenty of riverside spots for a picnic.

  • Long Meg and Her Daughters Stone Circle

  • One of the finest stone circles in the north of England, Long Meg and Her Daughters can be found a short distance away from Penrith in Little Salkeld. The stones date back to 1500 BC and are thought to have been a meeting place for ancient religious rituals. The circle got its name from ‘Long Meg’; the tallest of the 69 stones made of local red sandstone and ‘the daughters’ represented by the other boulders of rhyolite, a form of granite. William Wordsworth wrote about the circle in his works stating, ‘next to Stonehenge, it is beyond dispute the most notable relic that this or probably any other country contains.’

  • Lacy’s Caves

An interesting series of caves carved out of the sandstone cliffs by the River Eden in Little Salkeld, Lacy’s Caves were created by Colonel Samual Lacy of Salkeld Hall and date back to 18th century. The caves consist of five chambers and were possibly used as a place to entertain guests. The caves are open to explore today.

  • Shap Abbey

Around 20 minutes away from Penrith in Shap stands Shap Abbey, which dates back to the late 12th century. The ruins stand in a secluded valley on the River Lowther with the 15th century tower still remaining and open to be explored!

  • River Lowther Swimming

The ultimate hidden gem consisting of a crystal clear rock pool ideal for wild swimmers can be found via a wild swim down the river to the small hamlet of Whale. A short walk from the nearby village of Askham takes you down to the River Lowther where you can begin swimming to Whale farm. As a path begins to leave the riverside nearby the farm, you will find a deep pool looking as though it was plucked from a fairy-tale…