Cornmarket and Great Dockray

Cornmarket was where grain used to be sold outside the many inns, all of which provided stabling for farmers’ horses. White Hart Yard, (the first arched opening on the right hand side) is so named because the building to the left was the ‘White Hart’, a notable coaching inn. Directly to the right was the ‘Griffin Inn’ where a mid-19th century landlord, William Jameson, was a wrestler of great renown. Penrith Museum holds his trophies.

White Hart Yard

Sign - Nil Sine Labore
In 1983 the central area of Cornmarket was pedestrianised and the ‘market cross’ bandstand was built.
The ‘Board & Elbow’ public house was formerly the ‘Black Bull’; note the inscribed lintel to the left bearing the date 1624. Turn left into Great Dockray.

Board And Elbow lintel inscribed 1624WR
When Richard III was Duke of Gloucester and Warden of the Western Marches he lived in Penrith Castle but frequented Dockray Hall - hence his arms of two boars rampant appear above the main entrance. Above the other door there is the date 1580 and the initials of John Whelpdale who was one of five original governors of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.

Dockray Hall - Two Boars Rampant

Dockray Hall - John de Whelpdale dated 1580
Great Dockray, the largest of Penrith’s market spaces was the cattle market in the 18th century. At the far end of Great Dockray, next to the ‘White Horse’ public house is the ‘Two Lions’ former public house. This dates from before 1585 and was formerly the home of Gerald Lowther, Sheriff of Cumberland in 1594. Exit via Angel Lane.

White Horse

White Horse
The building a little beyond Exchange Lane has an arched door pediment telling us the premises had been rebuilt in 1763. Turn back into Exchange Lane and enter Angel Square.

Exchange Lane

Exchange Lane