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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
On the 2nd floor are the strange etchings on the wall. Kept behind glass, they are a mystery about who made them and why.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There is not only the Cathedral to explore but the Treasury downstairs, with its treasures found during excavations in the 1980s.
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.
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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.
The first steps into the Cathedral were WOW moments, Rhonda. It is so beautiful, words can’t describe it.
What a beautiful place, thank you for sharing x
Thanks, Bree. It really is worth the stop off.
What a fun place to explore. Your photo of the spiral stone staircase is especially impressive!
Thanks, Sharon. It was impressive that I got up and down all those spiral staircases as I hate them.
You sure did the right thing stopping, what a beautiful place 🙂
Thanks, Ann. It has a lot to offer the traveller.
Kim, fabulous photos! You’ve inspired me!
Kelly Hayes-Raitt
http://www.HouseSitDiva.com
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) 🙂
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.