Self-guided walking trail around Penrith
Burrowgate and Middlegate
The Explore Penrith trail helps you discover the centre of Penrith.
Burrowgate
- Burrowgate, originally Burghgate is, along with Sandgate, one of the oldest streets in Penrith. Burrowgate Cross, the original market cross once stood in the middle of the triangular area of Burrowgate. It was the site of the horse market in earlier times. The long building on your right was formerly the site of the Penrith Co-op formed in 1890.
- The public house on your left is an early
Georgian building. Turn right into Middlegate.
Last Orders Pub - Middlegate was formerly known as ‘The Long Front’.
- Turning into Middlegate, the building on the corner, formerly Burton’s [the Tailor], incorporates many Art Deco features. It was built on the site of the Ship Inn which closed in 1936 and was demolished to make way for Burtons. Before rebuilding, Middlegate was much narrower at this point.
Middlegate
- Proceed back along Middlegate passing
Queen Street on your right. This used to be the
main road north to Scotland because Middlegate
was then a cul-de-sac, ending at Robinson’s
School. Thacka Beck (stream) was still open and
the most northerly of the town’s bridges -
Fallowfield Bridge – was here, just opposite the
end of Brook Street (Beck Street).
View down Queen Street -
The Lonsdale Alhambra Cinema was built in
1910 on the site of a former brewery. It was
originally a public assembly hall with many uses
– concert hall, roller
skating and cinema.
This brings us to the
end of the tour. We
hope you enjoyed this
insight into the heritage
of Penrith.
Lonsdale Alhambra - upper floors