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32. Penrith Town (1), Cumbria: The Town Centre, The Museum, Historic 'Pubs' and other buildings!
Penrith is the principal, and historic , market town of the Eden Valley and is a very busy and bustling town indeed, with many attractive buildings and a rich history of over a 1000 years. It became the capital of Cumbria in the 9th and 10th centuries. In the town centre, on the Market Square, is the 'iconic' Victorian Clock Tower built in 1861, known as the 'Musgrave Monument' and commemorates the death of Philip Musgrave of Eden Hall. There are fine buildings either side of it e.g. the red sandstone of Barclays Bank.
The Museum and Tourist Information Centre is housed in an old 17th century house, known as 'Robinson's School' which was originally a charity school for poor girls and remained a school until 1971.
The inscription over the right-hand door of the museum building.
Some of the museum displays e.g. in the cabinets are prehistoric carved 'cup and ring' stones.
Penrith has a good mix of traditional shops and sophisticated arcades, a 19th century food emporium selling local cheeses, meats and specialities from its deli-counters. The picture above shows one of several markets regularly held in Penrith, in this case near the Cornmarket. Penrith is famed for its toffee and fudge and the traditional Cumberland sausage.
The attractive and stylish building of the 'Alhambra' Cinema next to the museum.
The Gloucester Arms near Corn Market street dates from 1471. It was called Dockray Hall and Richard III is supposed to have lodged here when he was the Duke of Gloucester.
The fine Georgian building of the Last Orders' Inn (left) in Burrowgate, and the 'George Hotel' near the Clock Tower (right) where in this 300 year old building, Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed in November 1745 when marching south with his ill-fated army.
The Bewick Coffee House and Bistro Restaurant puts another fine old building to good use.
* Page updated Oct 6th 2008 * EMAIL Phil Brown * digital images snapshots photographs pictures views scenes views pics photos snaps webshots of walks and interesting places to visit and stay © Phil Brown docspics 2008 * www.docbrown.info/docspics |
