Penrith, Cumbria
| Penrith | |
|---|---|
 The Market Square |
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 Penrith
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| Penrith shown within Cumbria | |
| Population | 15,200 (2012) |
| OS grid reference | NY515305 |
| Civil parish |
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| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PENRITH |
| Postcode district | CA11 CA10 |
| Dialling code | 01768 |
| Police | Cumbria |
| Fire | Cumbria |
| Ambulance | North West |
| EU Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | |
| Penrith Urban District | |
|---|---|
| History | |
| • Created | 1894 |
| • Abolished | 1974 |
| • Succeeded by | Eden District |
| Status | Urban district |
| • HQ | Penrith Town Hall |
Penrith (/pɛnˈrɪθ/) is a market town and civil parish in the county of Cumbria, England. Penrith lies less than 3 miles (5 km) outside the boundaries of the Lake District National Park. Historically a part of Cumberland, Penrith's local authority is currently Eden District Council, which is based in the town. Penrith was formerly the seat of both Penrith Urban and Rural District Councils. From 1974 to 2015, Penrith had no town council of its own, and was an unparished area. Penrith Town Council was formed in 2015 and the first elections to the Town Council Civil parish took place on May 7, 2015.
The exact etymology of the name has been debated. Several toponymists favour a derivation from the Cumbric or Welsh pen 'head, chief, end' (both noun and adjective) + Cumbric 'rid', Welsh rhyd 'ford'. On this basis, the name would mean 'chief ford', 'hill ford', 'ford end' or Whaley's suggestion: 'the head of the ford' or 'headland by the ford'.
Penrith, however, lies around 1 mile (1.6 km) from the nearest crossing point on the River Eamont at Eamont Bridge. An alternative has been suggested consisting of the same pen element meaning 'head, end, top' + the equivalent of Welsh rhudd 'crimson'. The name 'red hill' may refer to the large Beacon Hill to the north east of the current town. There is also a place called 'Redhills' to the south west near the M6 motorway.
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