Penrith Castle
Cumbria, England
Photo: Clintheacock66 at en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Clintheacock66 at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0 ยท Rosser1954 - Roger Griffith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Penrith North Lakes, 0.1 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Ruin in public park
Pinpoint
Ullswater Rd, Penrith CA11 7EG
Telephone 0191 269 1200
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open daily
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- A few parking spaces at the park entrance; limited parking also around the town.
- Access
- Disabled access to the park via Ullswater Road, opposite the railway station.
- Facilities
- Independent cafe in the park; public toilets and shops nearby in Penrith.
A ruined shell in a public park directly opposite Penrith railway station, free to enter and open every day. It's a pleasant walk through parkland around the ruin, though reviewers warn the castle itself isn't accessible to wheelchair users.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The convenience of it - directly opposite the train station, it's one of the easiest castles in Cumbria to fit into a day of travelling rather than a dedicated trip.
Before you go
The ruins themselves aren't wheelchair accessible, though the surrounding park is; some reviewers flag litter as an ongoing issue, so don't expect immaculate grounds.
What visitors say
Penrith Castle reviews · 4.3 / 5 across 758 Google reviews
Reviewers appreciate that Penrith Castle is free to enter and conveniently located opposite the train station, with good information boards and surrounding parkland.
One visitor notes wheelchair users can't access the ruins themselves, and another was put off by litter and dog mess around the site, suggesting more bins would help.
“Lovely walk around the castle ruins, good information boards”- Kate Trussler, visitor review
Getting in - what English Heritage says
Disabled parking on Ullswater road opposite railway station; generally good paths; steps to access some castle areas
Taken from English Heritage’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury · 1399-1470
Built between 1399 and 1470 as a defence against Scottish raids, the castle's most likely builder was Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury. It was later granted to Richard, Duke of Gloucester by Edward IV, who used it as a base against the Scots.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “There is a car park in Penrith close to the castle and within walking distance - a fact we didn't fully appreciate until we left it and headed, by car, to the castle.” - Sandra Hardaker
- Terrain & accessibility
- “Penrith Castle is worth a visit for its history and the surrounding park, but wheelchair users will not be able to access the castle ruins themselves.” - Diff-Ability CIC
Common questions about Penrith Castle
Where is Penrith Castle?
Penrith Castle is in Cumbria, England, at Ullswater Rd, Penrith CA11 7EG.
Is Penrith Castle free to visit?
Yes - Penrith Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by English Heritage. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Penrith Castle?
The convenience of it - directly opposite the train station, it's one of the easiest castles in Cumbria to fit into a day of travelling rather than a dedicated trip.
Is Penrith Castle a ruin or still intact?
Penrith Castle is a ruin - Ruin in public park.
