Carlisle

Carlisle is ideally located between Scotland and the Lake District, and both are easily reached by train.  Situated on the path of Hadrian’s Wall, Carlisle is a vibrant, cultured city with an ever-changing choice of events and entertainment options for all ages during a stay in the city and its surrounding villages. Carlisle lies at the heart of a wealth of historic and modern attractions.  From Roman civitas to Norman stronghold, medieval market town to contemporary city, Carlisle offers museums, art galleries, national sporting events, heritage tours, award-winning parks, nature reserves and relaxing open spaces.

Carlisle Castle, founded in 1092, and the cathedral, founded in 1122, lie on Roman sites. Mary Queen of Scots was a prisoner in Carlisle and the city was captured by “Bonnie Prince Charlie” in 1745. He would have seen Old Tullie House which dates back to the 17th century and is now a Grade One listed building surrounded by wonderful gardens.

Carlisle Station offers rail connections from the Cumbrian Coast line onto the West Coast Main Line with trains running as far as London to the south and Glasgow or Edinburgh to the north. Trains also travel along the historic route parallel with Hadrian’s Wall to Newcastle-upon-Tyne or south eastwards along the scenic Settle & Carlisle Line to Leeds.  Across the border, trains also head to Dumfries and south western Scotland. Carlisle is only 16 km/10 miles from Gretna in Scotland and at one time, Carlisle and a large part of Cumbria was actually in Scotland.


Explore more of the Carlisle