What to do and see in Eden District, England: The Best Free Things to do

June 26, 2021 Frederic Celentano

Discover the best top things to do in Eden District, United Kingdom including Hallin Fell, Smardale Gill Nature Reserve, High Cup Nick, Chestnut House, Long Meg and her Daughters, Silver Yard Gallery, Penrith Museum, Aira Force, Kennedys Fine Chocolates, Courtyard Gallery.
Restaurants in Eden District

1. Hallin Fell

Pooley Bridge, Penrith England
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 168 reviews

Hallin Fell

Reviewed By paulsymonds - Haverhill, United Kingdom

Only my second Lakeland fell climb to date to me to Hallin Fell. We accessed the climb from the car park at St Peters church in Martindale. The little road that passes a few camp sites is driven from near Pooley bridge. Beware at busy times bank holidays being the main, the road is extremely difficult to navigate due volume of traffic and on one occasion a full sized coach manoeuvred along when we exited. Back to the climb, it is a very steep grassy track accessed on the opposite side of the road. With average fitness and resting you should make the summit in around half an hour. Believe me the views are magnificent in all directions. I loved it and I'm sure you will too, it's worth all the effort!

2. Smardale Gill Nature Reserve

Smardale, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4HG England http://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/smardale-gill
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 32 reviews

Smardale Gill Nature Reserve

Reviewed By richardtJ9114EY - Hook, United Kingdom

Came here to walk the dogs, following a disused railway for a couple of miles (very easy walking), results in a spectacular view.

3. High Cup Nick

Pennine Way Dufton, Appleby-in-Westmorland England
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 29 reviews

High Cup Nick

Reviewed By lucyrhay - County Durham, United Kingdom

Absolutely brilliant walk. We parked in Dufton, where there’s a lovely pub called the Stag Inn which you can stop at for a drink either side of your walk. The path where you start your ascent isn’t far from here. When we read about the walk beforehand, we weren’t sure whether to attempt it because of the 4 hours suggested to complete it, as although we do lots of walks we’re not athletes and were worried this may be a bit too strenuous - shouldn’t have been worried at all. The first 45 or so minutes of the walk is the part where you climb the most - it’s very gradual and we managed it with only one stop for our sandwiches - we’re a pretty average level of fitness. There’s also a very clear, well established track, and although there’s small rocks there’s lots of grassy sections besides the rocks which are easier to walk on. After that it’s relatively flat and a really pleasant walk for another hour or so to the middle of the horseshoe. The valley coming into view is a great moment, and Hannah’s Well a bit further along is absolutely stunning - a waterfall that looks as though it runs straight off of the edge of the fell! My fiancé and myself didn’t look back to see the view at the end part until we’d reached the centre of the horseshoe, it was absolutely breathtaking and we can’t believe this is here. Absolute hidden gem! We walked back the same way (we normally like circular routes, which there is here I think, but we decided to stick to what we knew this time, and the view on the way back is just as stunning from a different perspective, and even the fields right at the start of the walk filled with sheep and ponies are beautiful). It took us a bit less time to walk back, and because it’s gradual it’s not a steep uncomfortable descent. Including a stop for a sandwich after the difficult part of the climb, a stop at the top, and a few minutes taking photos at Hannah’s Well, the whole walk took us around 3 1/2 hours to do 13km. Would definitely recommend this walk to anyone considering it, even if you need a few stops at the beginning bit it’s manageable.

4. Chestnut House

Chestnut House, Finkle Street Penrith, Pooley Bridge, Penrith CA10 2NW England +(44)0176848644 [email protected] http://www.chestnuthouseonline.co.uk
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 175 reviews

Chestnut House

With around 400 different gins and an eclectic mix of wines, beers, spirits, food and drink, Chestnut House is fast becoming the place to shop in Cumbria and The Lakes

Reviewed By CKM6969 - Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

Probably the best selection of deli style foods, beers, wines & spirits I've ever seen in such a compact store. Owners & staff super friendly and absolutely know their stuff, and stock some stunning local produce and lots more - if you like gin then this will be your 'Gin Nirvana' and I'd highly recommend you pay them and the lovely little village that is Pooley Bridge a visit - definitely on my list next time I'm over that way

5. Long Meg and her Daughters

Little Salkeld, Penrith England
Excellent
59%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 249 reviews

Long Meg and her Daughters

Dating from the Bronze Age, this is England's third largest stone circle that consists of a huge ring (the Daughters) of more than 60 stones and Long Meg, a 12-foot-high block of red sandstone.

Reviewed By juliethetraveller123 - Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

Impressive, especially Long Meg with the stone carved cup and rings on the red sandstone whilst her daughters making up the stone circle are granite boulders. We set off from Little Salkeld intending to do the five-mile walk which includes Lacy's Caves however the footpath on the banks of the Eden was closed due to flood erosion so we walked directly to see the circle.

Orton Road, Penrith CA10 3TL England +44 15396 26042
Excellent
56%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9 reviews

Silver Yard Gallery

7. Penrith Museum

Robinsons School Middlegate, Penrith CA11 7PT England +44 1768 212228 http://www.eden.gov.uk/leisure-culture-and-events/penrith-and-eden-museum/
Excellent
40%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 65 reviews

Penrith Museum

Reviewed By durham05 - Durham, United Kingdom

Always impressed with the displays here which are rotated on a regular basis. Small but quite a lot to see. Free admission as well.

8. Aira Force

7ml S of Penrith A592, Penrith CA11 0JY England +44 17684 82067 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aira-force-and-ullswater
Excellent
67%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,229 reviews

Aira Force

For 300 years visitors have been drawn here, where rainwater runs from the fells into Aira Beck and thunders in one 65-foot leap over the falls. Yet, Aira Force is much more than an impressive waterfall. A network of trails weaves its way from Ullswater lakeshore to Gowbarrow summit, passing towering Himalayan firs, rare red squirrels, woodland glades, picnic spots and views out across Ullswater. You can start your day in Glenridding and arrive by boat, taking in the sights of Ullswater Valley along the way, then stroll back to Glenridding through Glencoyne Park and along the lakeshore. Ullswater valley is truly breathtaking, with its beautiful lake nestled amongst towering fells. The epic scenery and relative underdevelopment compared to other areas of the Lake District gives Ullswater a secluded and tranquil feel.

Reviewed By stevesQ9601RS - County Durham, United Kingdom

Been here before, called again on a lovely Sunday afternoon, very busy, not many spaces in the car park. Free entry and car parking as National Trust members, a lovely 2 or 3 mile walk, different options, the various waterfalls were magnificent as is the local scenery and with spring blooming and the sun shining, a great way to spend an hour or so. Will return again on our next visit to Ullswater.

9. Kennedys Fine Chocolates

The Old School, Orton CA10 3RU England +44 15396 24781 [email protected] http://www.kennedyschocolates.co.uk
Excellent
70%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 178 reviews

Kennedys Fine Chocolates

Reviewed By 903diane - Pitlochry, United Kingdom

We were staying at a Hotel a few miles away, got talking to a couple, they told us about this wonderful Chocolate Factory with a cafe at Orton, so next day we went, lovely little village, and the Chocolate shop was fantastic, I m allergic to all dairy products, so you can imagine my delight to find hand made chocolates I can enjoy.????, we had a coffee, with chocolate medallions on a plate, and then had soup and a sandwich. They lady who served us made doubly sure that nothing had dairy in it. Lovely friendly staff. There is a viewing window to see the chocolates being made, but no tours through the factory, which is really good health and safety regulations. I brought a great selection of chocolate and a leaflet home with me and have since placed 2 orders, for chocolates, for Xmas presents for friends. AND some dairy free ones for myself????????. Many thanks Kennedy’s.

32 Boroughgate, Appleby-in-Westmorland CA16 6XG England +44 17683 51638 http://www.courtyardgallery.co.uk
Excellent
58%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 60 reviews

Courtyard Gallery

Reviewed By annieb194 - East Riding of Yorkshire, United Kingdom

This gallery is a delight. Full of lovely things including art work, pottery and books. It was an unexpected find and a source of joy. The owner (?) is a kind and informative man. I wish I had had more time to peruse everything and then have coffee and cake.

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