Car hire in Penrith
Car hire in Penrith
The town of Penrith in the county of Cumbria is situated along the M6 motorway, close to the Pennines, also known as the backbone of the UK. Penrith lies just outside the boundaries of the Lake District, but this means it is conveniently located for exploring this glorious national park.
What I need to know
Penrith car hire is a great option if you want to explore the nearby Lake District and beyond, and we can compare car hire deals for you to find the very best one for your needs. What's more, we promise to never charge you any credit card fees and there are no cancellation costs either.
Where to pick up my car
Penrith car rental is available as you turn into the town from the M6 or further along the A66. If you're travelling to the town from overseas, its nearest airport is Newcastle Airport (NCL), while Blackpool Airport (BLK) is just a few more miles away in the opposite direction. Competitive car hire is also on offer at these travel hubs.
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Where to go
The breathtaking scenery of the Lake District can be found just a stone's throw away from Penrith, but the town itself has plenty to offer, with historic castles, ancient monuments and great shops and restaurants, meaning you'll never be stuck for something to do during your visit to this lovely Eden Valley town.
Nearby Penrith
The city of Carlisle - Cumbria's county town - can be reached by car in 30 minutes from Penrith. Here, you'll find a majestic castle and cathedral, as well as a fascinating museum dedicated to aviation. Kendal is a 45-minute drive from Penrith and is home to the Museum of Lakeland Life.
Longer drives
Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in England, is an hour and 20 minutes' drive from Penrith. An hour from the town is Hill Top Farm, the place Peter Rabbit creator Beatrix Potter lived, which now houses a museum dedicated to her life's work. All the fun of the Great British seaside can be found at Blackpool, 90 minutes' drive from Penrith.
Eating and drinking
Cumbria is well-known for several local delicacies, including the famous coiled Cumberland sausage, as well as Kendal Mint Cake, which is perfect fuel if you're doing any hill walking during your visit. If you visit nearby Grasmere, make sure to sample Sarah Nelson's Grasmere Gingerbread, a gingerbread like no other.
Things to do
The town is home to two castles: Penrith Castle and Lowther Castle. The former was built in 1399 and was once the luxurious residence of King Richard III before he took to the throne. Meanwhile, the latter is a large country house, with beautiful gardens that visitors can take a turn around when the weather is nice.
Sightseeing
The Penrith area is also home to several ancient stone circles, with Mayburgh Henge dating from the Neolithic area. Long Meg and Her Daughters is a Bronze Age stone circle, so named because of one of the rock's resemblance to a witch, said to be 17th century local woman Meg of Meldon.
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