Destination guides > Europe > England > Northwest England > Cumbria > Carlisle
Carlisle
Cumbria's only major city is located just south of the Scottish border near the western end of Hadrian's Wall. It is a historic city dominated by a 900-year-old castle and cathedral.
Practical information
Carlisle Visitor Centre
Old Town Hall, Carlisle
Tel (01228) 625600
Website www.historic-carlisle.org.uk
Open Jan-Feb Mon-Sat 10am-4pm; Mar-Apr Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm; May Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 10.30am-4pm; Jun-Aug Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, Sun 10.30am-4pm; Sep-Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Sat 10am-4pm
INTERNET ACCESS
Internet Café @ Almond's Bistro
16 Scotland Street, Stanwix, Carlisle
Tel (01228) 523 546
Open Mon-Sat 9am-9pm
Coming & going
Carlisle has excellent train services including hourly trains to Edinburgh, Glasgow, London (Euston) and Newcastle. The train station is on Botchergate near the castle.
National Express have coaches to London and Stagecoach have frequent bus services to the Lake District including the useful bus 555, which goes to Keswick, Ambleside, Windermere, Kendal and Lancaster. The Cumbria Goldrider is a good value pass that costs £23.50 and gives you seven days unlimited travel on Stagecoach buses throughout Cumbria.
During summer the Hadrian's Wall Bus (route AD122) runs several times each day between Carlisle and Hexham following the course of the wall and stopping at visitor attractions en route. One bus each day goes all the way from Bowness on Solway to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Wallsend. It connects with train and other bus services at Carlisle, Haltwhistle and Hexham. A one-day ticket on this bus costs £8 and a three-day pass costs £16.
Local transport
Carlisle's local buses are run by Stagecoach who have a Dayrider pass that costs £3.20 and gives you one day unlimited travel on Stagecoach buses within the Carlisle area. The Megarider, a seven-day version of this pass costs £9.50.
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Carlisle Castle
This 900-year-old fortress at the northern end of the city centre has witnessed a rich history of conflict between England and Scotland. It was here that Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned as were prisoners of the 1746 Jacobite uprising.
Castle Way, Carlisle
Tel (01228) 591 922
Website www.english-heritage.org.uk
Admission £4.50
Open Jan-Mar 10am-4pm daily; Apr-Sep 9.30am-6pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-4pm daily
Carlisle Cathedral
Carlisle Cathedral was founded in 1122 and it features exquisite woodcarving and stained glass windows from the 14th centuries.
Castle Street, Carlisle
Tel (01228) 548 151
Admission free
Open Mon-Sat 7.30am-6.15pm, Sun 7.30am-5pm
Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery
The Tullie House Museum has exhibits on local history including extensive displays about Hadrian's Wall as well as Cumbria in Roman times, the Dark Ages and the medieval period. There is also an art gallery with a large collection of decorative and fine arts.
Castle Street, Carlisle
Tel (01228) 534 781
Website www.tulliehouse.co.uk
Admission £5.20
Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm; Apr-Jun Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm; Sep-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun noon-4pm
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