Things to do in Carlisle and Penrith.

[CarlisleAndPenrith]

I'm going to be spending a few days in the area and I'd appreciate it if anyone could please recommend any places to visit, good shops and restaurants in either. No kids just 2 adults.

TIA

Dog and Gun if you can get in. Amazing. Reghed nice for a bit of shopping. Ullswater nearby great to go on the steamers, walk the Ullswater way. Carlisle- Tulie House museum good. Just get out into the hills! Loads to do

Penrith is a lovely little town, lots of independent coffee shops. And only 15 minutes from Ullswater. The view from the Beacon is lovely.

Lowther castle is lovely. Really nice cafe and grounds.

Thanks all. I appreciate it.

I second the Dog and Gun, really some of the best food I've ever had (without being as fussy and stuffy as L'Enclume or Allium, all three have Michelin stars still, I think). For sightseeing type things, Carlisle has Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery and Carlisle Castle and Penrith has Aira Force waterfall, which is a lovely walk and not too challenging, Ullswater Steamers and Dalemain House.

Will you have a car? You can get around most of Carlisle without one, but getting to somewhere like Dog and Gun or Aira Force without driving would be quite a bit harder.

Lowther Castle is great, but without kids I'm not sure how enjoyable or worth it that would be. If you don't mind going a little further out, the Lakes Distillery has a good tour (with tasting!) and their Bistro does good food. It's near Bassenthwaite and would def require driving.

If you’re self catering then I suggest a visit to the Booths supermarket, love a visit to their cheese counter and bakery. Fantastic selection of wine and local beer/larger.

This place does amazing food www.horseandfarrierdacre.com/.

If you like walking then you can incorporate it into walking the Marmalade loop from Pooley Bridge which is an enjoyable 2-3 hr walk called that because you pass by a mansion where they make marmalade. I love Pooley Bridge - a 10 minute drive from Penrith - for a wee wander, there's an amazing deli shop there called Chestnut House.

This restaurant in Penrith is good, you'll need to book www.fourandtwentypenrith.co.uk/.

Dalmain house is lovely.

Thanks all. I really appreciate all of these wonderful suggestions. We will have a car.

Long Meg stone circle is lovely and near Penrith. The Drovers Rest near Carlisle is a brilliant pub, unusual ,excellent and decently priced menu, in Monkshill, some lovely walks around there too. I love Port Carlisle, feels like the end of the earth, great for tranquility and walking, only a few houses there. The 555 bus will take you all over the Lakes and you can catch it from nearby places. I particulary like Ulverston for shopping, nice little boutiques but also great charity shops. The Greek restarant in Carslisle is excellent- been rated by Grace Dent in the Guardian along with another Italian restaurantI have been to and enjoyed- Carlisle has excellent Italian restaurants! It has a brilliant old bookshop as well and the castle is amazing- one of the best I have been to.

Thanks Ghostofborleyrectory for the suggestions. I really appreciate them.

We're going to Keswick also but I wondered if anyone knows if Appleby is worth a visit too?

Appleby is a quiet town until the fair comes.

Eden valley has some lovely walking if you don't want the big hills

gretna outlet for shopping, keswick for views/food/coffee/market, rickerby park and dalston river for walks and views, whinlatter for walks and nature, carlisle port or appleby for beach. i live in carlisle and unfortunately there’s not to much to do other than walks etc

appleby has a lovely ice cream shop, silloth is also a beach but better than appleby, has an arcade food etc but appleby don’t, silloth also has parks etc and a nicer area

I think one of the viewing platforms at Aira Force is still closed. Still a lovely walk, but you don't get the postcard view of the waterfall! I really enjoyed the pencil museum, something a bit different.

Grants of Castlegate and La Casita were both great when I went.

Cranstons is a lovely food shop and cafe in Penrith

Dalemain is fabulous and there is a walk to the Church down a lane, to see the Dacre ‘Bears’ in the churchyard.

Thanks so much to everyone who's replied since my last post. The suggestions are much appreciated.