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Penrith on the M6 in Cumbria is a good starting point for Keswick and the Northern Lakes or Alston in the North Pennines en-route to Tynedale and Hadrian’s Wall after one has viewed the points of interest in and around Penrith.

Starting at a 300 year old school which houses The Penrith Museum followed by the 14^th century Castle built by William Strickland prior to his becoming Archbishop of Canterbury.

Quiet rural accommodation is available at Newby End Farm in Newby, just off the M6 Motorway south of Penrith, where B&B, Self Catering and small Touring Camp Site can be found. An ideal location to explore the Pennines, Eden Valley or the North Eastern Lakes.

Taking the A66 route south a few miles to Eamont Bridge where Brougham Castle was built by the Roman General Agricola in the 1st Century AD and another was built in the 12th Century which was derelict when the Countess of Pembroke a Lady Anne Clifford of Appleby a Royalist restored and fortified it during the Civil War in the 17th Century

A further short run south is the Mayburgh Earthworks where Authur’s Round Table a prehistoric mound some 15 feet (5m) high covers an area of more than an acre.

Pottery has been produced at Wetheriggs since 1855 being the only Steam power pottery manufacturer in the UK, it is open with free entry all year.

Another area near north east Penrith worthy of a short drive is found at Langwathby which is a Station on the picturesque rail line from Carlisle to Settle. The station house has been converted into a Tea Room a worthy stop for refreshments and an Antique shop next door.

North of Langwathby near Glassonby is a 18 century corn mill at Salkeld which powered from the watermill still produces stone ground flour during the summer months.

In the same vicinity are two more places of interest, Long Meg a prehistoric circle of 68 large stones and Lacy’s Caves at Little Salkeld which are carved out of the red sandstone and can be found after a 2km  walk by the river Eden.

One can then continue on north to Brampton and the Roman Wall on a pleasant country road or return to Langwathby and take the Pennine route to Alston over Hartside and enjoy the views to the east and west from the top. 

The nearby valley of Eden which winds it's way down the west side of the Pennines from Carlisle to Kirby Stephen in the Yorkshire Dales, has a Art Sculpture Trail which has 10 distinctive works by various local Artists, giving an interesting route to follow.

Alan Stone is a painter & printmaker with his work on show at Blencarn in the shadow of Cross Fell the highest point on the Pennine Way.  www.alanstones.demon.co.uk   Tel: 01768-88-688

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Self Catering at Castle Carrock near Brampton