After a competition to find a new name for the George Hotel’s refurbished bar, the name is revealed this week as DAPPERS BAR.

The name DAPPERS BAR was chosen from over 270 entries ranging from the very traditional to the very modern and quirky. John Fisk from Shap entered the winning name. He thought the many sided 400 year old history of the hotel could tie in to the new look and feel of the new bar.

The hotel was a buzz during the 1700’s, Bonnie Prince Charlie came to stay and King George II was on the throne. Noted for being smart and well dressed in his fine clothing, King George II was nick named Dapper King George. Now the bar is modern and distinctive, it too feels like a dapper place to be.

Justin Wales, General Manager at the George Hotel part of the Lake District Hotels Ltd Group said “Finding a name has been very difficult because there were so many to choose from and everyone has a different idea what it should be. John was really pleased when we told him that we had decided on Dapper’s Bar because of the link to King George II. He reigned during an important part of the hotel’s history and it was his forebears that the George Hotel was named after.”

John and his wife Sue called in to the bar this week to collect their £60 dinner vouchers and were impressed with the welcoming ambiance, comfy sofas and the fine detail like the gold leaf light fittings. They also shared some of their research on the dapper king and his life with Justin who has already commissioned a special plaque to commemorate the new name.  It is being crafted to sit at the entrance of the bar and will recount the famous words that Queen Caroline allegedly uttered about King George II: “You may strut, dapper George, but ’twill all be in vain, We all know ’tis Queen Caroline, not you, that reign.”

As well as refurbishing the bar, the Lake District Hotels Ltd Group have also made improvements to the rear entrance with the entrance dressed in a new coat of paint and a new barrier entrance to control the car park. It means guests will have much easier access to car park and a pleasant entrance to the rear of this hotel in Penrith.

Now open daily from 11am, the Dapper’s Bar is enjoying increased popularity, attracting new diners at lunchtime and early evening guests looking to try the cocktails and sample the new tapas menu. Visit http://www.lakedistricthotels.net/georgehotel/index.php for more information.

Penrith is a welcoming market town and a great base from which to explore Eden.

The town of Penrtith, with its beautiful red sandstone buildings has fascinating yards and alleyways to discover, pleasant open spaces and a selection of places to stay from fine hotels in Penrith to cosy guest houses and self catering cottages.

A lovely walk up through the wooded slopes of Beacon Hill to the Beacon “Pike” Monument, built in 1719 of local red sandstone, rewards you with great views over the town and lake district fells beyond. The Rotary Club of Penrith have produced a leaflet with details of an “Access for all Walk” – a self guided tour of Penrith. The route has been chosen to make the walk accessible to all, including those with disabilities. To download a copy, please visit the Rotary Club website.

Back down in the town, explore the ruins of Penrith Castle, dating back to the 14th century, set in an attractive public park where you can play tennis, bowls, crazy golf, pitch and putt or simply watch the world go by! There’s a children’s playground and paddling pool too.

Many visitors come to Penrith for its unique specialist shops offering local produce – fine foods like Penrith Toffee Fudge, loved by the Royal Family and traditional Cumberland Sausage together with all sorts of local crafts. A Specialist Shops leaflet for Penrith is available.

Eating out in Penrith is a pleasure, there’s a good choice too, ranging from inns with home cooking, restaurants with international cuisine, cafes and tea shops.
Don’t miss Penrith Farmers’ Market, held every 3rd Tuesday in the Market Square, where you can cut down the food miles and enjoy locally produced and sourced goods. The newly named Charter Market, a traditional street market is also held every Tuesday in Great Dockray.

Penrith Museum, housed in the former 17th century Robinsons school building gives a fascinating insight into the history of Penrith, local geology and archaeology and houses an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions.

Dating back to Norman times, St, Andrew’s Church in the centre of Penrith is surrounded by historic buildings with a peaceful outdoor seating area. Look out for the “Giants Grave” in St. Andrew’s Churchyard!
If you are feeling active, the recently extended Penrith Leisure Centre has swimming pools, gym, indoor climbing wall, large sports hall and indoor bowls hall. 

The town has an award-winning station on the main west coast London to Glasgow railway line and is served by National Express buses. The C2C cycle route passes through Penrith and the town has been designated Cumbria’s first Cycling Hub, which means cyclists are made extra welcome and will find excellent facilities and specially designed routes starting from Penrith along with many of the Penrith hotels being cyclist friendly.