Visit these 4 Historic Carlisle Attractions

Being a border city between England and Scotland, Carlisle has earned its reputation of being a historic city through blood over the centuries as the Carlisle attractions will show you.

There is no better city to learn about the history of England and Scotland than Carlisle, as it was in the firing line on both sides. Carlisle Castle and the Tullie Museum are the places where you can meet some of the characters from England and Scotland that have shaped this city over the past 2000 years.

This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission if you use these links. It doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps me maintain this site. Thank you.

If you are travelling around the United Kingdom, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.

Need a Car?

If you want to book a car, you can try using these car rental websites, EconomyBookings.com, DiscoverCars or RentalCars.

Need Accommodation?

Try using these accommodation websites to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day exploring, Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia.

Subscribe to my blog and keep up to date as I provide more information on the experiences I have had.

All prices and times were correct at the time this was written/updated, but please check the websites when you wish to visit.

Want to contact me for more information on this blog or another? You can by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.

Carlisle Castle

If you are driving, then Carlisle Castle should be your first port of call as the pay and display car park is right next door. It’s also one of the well-known Carlisle attractions.

Historic Carlisle Castle Carlisle attractions.
The entrance to Carlisle Castle.

Within these walls lies the intact buildings of Carlisle Castle. Some exhibitions lie in the Militia store and The Keep. The Militia store holds information boards of all the history of Carlisle and the part that the Castle may have played. This is a very extensive evolution as it covers 78-1959. Even Mary, Queen of Scots, makes an appearance.

Militia Room Info 10
One of the many boards that teach you the history of Carlisle.

Inside The Keep, you have three floors to explore. Like all Castles in the United Kingdom, a stone spiral staircase is the only way to get from floor to floor.

Typical Spiral Staircase Carlisle attractions.
The typical spiral staircase leads you up and down the floors.

On the 2nd floor are the strange etchings on the wall. Kept behind glass, they are a mystery about who made them and why.

Etchings on the Wall Carlisle attractions.
The mysterious etchings are kept behind glass.

The Keep is unfurnished, but an exhibition on more history in Carlisle is on the top floor. This time it is on the Jacobite Rebellion in Scotland in which Carlisle played a role.

Jacobite Rising Top Floor Keep Carlisle attractions.
Information tables on the Jacobite Rising.

Hours

6 Nov 2022 – 31 Mar 2023 weekdays closed. Sat & Sun 10.00 am to 5 pm.

1 Apr – 5 Nov Daily 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Last admission 30 minutes before closing.

Prices

Adult£11.60
Child (5-17 years)£6.90
Concession £10.40
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children)£30.10
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children)£18.50

If you have an Overseas Visitor Pass, you get in for free. To find more information on the Pass, click here.

The price of your ticket includes entry to Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life.

Cumbria Museum of Military Life

For an extra charge, you can visit the Cumbria of Military Life, housed in one of the historic buildings.

Here you will find all the history of the border regiments and collections from the past 300 years. Uniforms, medals, art, and more are presented in displays and videos teaching you about their history and stories.

This is a small but powerful museum and interesting for those who like military museums and war history. It’s another one of the Carlisle attractions so add-on to see it when you’re in the Castle.

Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery

The Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery are located right across the road from the Castle. There is also another entrance off Castle Street.

Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Carlisle attractions.
The entrance off Castle Street to the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery.

You could spend all morning or afternoon at this incredible Museum as there is so much to see.

There is an excellent exhibition on the Romans in the basement. You can learn so much more here than has been told before.

Roman Info Carlisle attractions.
Video, information boards and artefacts teach you more about how the Romans lived here.

On the upper levels are even more facts about the area, including The Reivers, a lawless society that operated on the fragile English-Scottish border.

The Reivers Carlisle attractions.
The painting of the capture of Kinmont Willie Armstrong, the most famous of the Reivers.

Everything is covered in this Museum, including wildlife and the Celts, and you even have a Roman Wall to walk across.

The most significant piece on display would be the 12-metre skeleton of a Fin Whale that was washed up on the coast near Drigg in February 2014. Driggsby, as he’s named now, hangs down from the ceiling over the reception area.

Driggsby the Finn Whale
Driggsby, the Finn Whale, is hanging over the reception area.

The Art Gallery has one room dedicated to the changing exhibitions held here.

This is a great museum that deserves a visit by everyone who wants to learn about the area. It is one of the must-do Carlisle attractions.

Hours

Monday – Friday

  • Galleries 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
  • Shop 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
  • Cafe 9.30 am – 4.00 pm

Saturday

  • Galleries 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
  • Shop 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
  • Cafe 9.30 am – 4.00 pm

Sunday (From 5 September)

  • Closed

Prices

  • Adults £12 
  • Children (0-18 YEARS) Free with an adult ticket.

Carlisle Cathedral

Do you think if I’ve seen one Cathedral, I’ve seen them all? Well, think again as Carlisle Cathedral is one Cathedral, and one of Carlisle attractions, you should see, especially if you love grand architecture.

Historic Carlisle Cathedral
The immense Carlisle Cathedral.

This architectural gem is enormous, and the details inside are incredible. You will be amazed by the ceiling, the colours and the imagination put into the design of this Cathedral.

Carlisle Cathedral
The ceiling, the walls and the stained glass are all so beautiful you don’t know where to look first.

There is not only the Cathedral to explore but the Treasury downstairs, with its treasures found during excavations in the 1980s.

Carlisle Cathedral Treasury
Some of the treasures are on display in the Treasury.

The Cathedral and Treasury are both free entry and a great way to read more on historic Carlisle with information boards detailing its treasures.

Hours

Monday-Friday: 7.30 am to 6.30 pm
Saturday-Sunday: 7.30 am to 5 pm

Conclusion

Carlisle attractions are in a city that you usually bypass on the motorway when you travel north or south, but it deserves at least a few hour’s stopover. This is a very historic city, and I hope you will stop and see some of Carlisle attractions.

Found my blog helpful? Please buy me a coffee.


Links

If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.

Travel Resources

Loved Visit the Historic Carlisle Attractions? Then Pin It!

Spread the love

12 comments on “Visit these 4 Historic Carlisle Attractions

Rhonda Albom says:

What a gorgeous place. I am in love with the ceiling of that cathedral. The blue is so deep and vibrant. And Driggsby is really cool.

Kim McGlinchey says:

The first steps into the Cathedral were WOW moments, Rhonda. It is so beautiful, words can’t describe it.

Bree says:

What a beautiful place, thank you for sharing x

Kim McGlinchey says:

Thanks, Bree. It really is worth the stop off.

Sharon says:

What a fun place to explore. Your photo of the spiral stone staircase is especially impressive!

Kim McGlinchey says:

Thanks, Sharon. It was impressive that I got up and down all those spiral staircases as I hate them.

Ann says:

You sure did the right thing stopping, what a beautiful place 🙂

Kim McGlinchey says:

Thanks, Ann. It has a lot to offer the traveller.

Kim, fabulous photos! You’ve inspired me!

Kelly Hayes-Raitt
http://www.HouseSitDiva.com

Kim McGlinchey says:

Thanks, Kelly, I’m happy to have inspired you.

Once again, stunning photos and great narrative. The Jacobite Rebellion – how interesting (I never gave that much thought until I started reading the “Outlander” books) 🙂

Kim McGlinchey says:

Thanks, Susan. You get a history overload when you’re in Scotland, and of course, since Carlisle is on the border, a lot of Scottish history is played out here.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Back To Top
error: Content is protected !!