Your information guide to Carlisle, capital of Cumbria.

Carlisle is Cumbria's capital and a main line station on the London-Scotland West Coast railway route.

By AD 122 the Roman Empire had reached what is now Carlisle city. The Emperor Hadrian to mark the northern boundary of his empire and frustrated in his efforts to subdue the area of Caledonia and the Brigantes Tribe ordered the building of Hadrians Wall to "separate the Romans from the Barbarians".
Contrary to popular belief, the wall is not the boundary between England and Scotland, as much of Northumberland lays to the north of the wall. It took 8 years to construct with 1000's of local settlers used as a labour force in the creation of the 73 miles long, 20 feet high and 10 feet wide barrier. Much of it still stands and there are walks along it's full length.

The area was a violent place. In the 14th Century, Edward I of England was intent on imposing English rule on the Scots, and so Carlisle became an important military stronghold. He was killed on his way to battle in 1307. A stone monument, describing him as the greatest English king was erected at the end of the River Eden on the Solway Firth.
The Border Reivers; bands of robbers, regularly raided the settlements, driving off livestock and terrifying the population. In response, Peel Towers were quickly constructed by the locals of Cumberland and Westmorland as look-out points and defensive positions.

Carlisle Castle has presided over the city for the past 900 years. It is open to the public to view relics of a violent and savage past including the infamous "licking stones". These were the stones licked by starving and thirsty Jacobite prisoners in search of moisture and only to be later brutally executed on Gallows Hill.
There are also features on Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Tullie House Museum displays evidence of the Roman occupation, the English Civil War and the attacks by the Reivers.

The smallest Cathedral in the country is a fine building and among it's many exhibits is the story of Christians in Cumbria.

This city is steeped in history and no matter where you look on your walk through it's streets there will be something to confront you from the past. However, the shopping centre is modern and features top of the range outlets. The 'pedestrian only' sections provide space and time to browse a broad range of retail items. Cafes, restuarants and pubs are on hand to offer respite to the hungry thirsty shopper and for those visitors just taking in the atmosphere of the bustling city centre.

There is so much to see and do, especially for people with a nose for history. Let the Castle, Cathedral, the museums speak to you of what has gone before.

Welcome to Carlisle.

How to get there:

By rail: Carlisle has a main station on the West Coast Main Line from London to Scotland.

By road: Carlisle is easily reached by the M6 from the south, the A69 from Newcastle and the east and the M74 from the north.

Border & Kings Regiment Museum - Queen Mary’s Tower, The Castle, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8UR
Phone: +44 (0)1228 532774 - Fax:+44 (0)1228 521275

Two floors of displays tell the story of Cumbria ’s County Infantry Regiment from 1702 to date, with uniforms, weapons, silver, paintings, medals including 4 Victoria Crosses and much more. The museum is located within Carlisle Castle.

Carlisle Cathedral - 7 The Abbey, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8TZ
Phone: +44 (0)1228 548151 - Fax: +44 (0)1228 547049

Founded in 1122, Carlisle Cathedral is an impressive building, dominating the skyline from across the city. The building is rich both in decoration and in history, with perhaps the most interesting features being the spectacular vaulted roof and the great East Window.

Carlisle City Church - Lowther Street, Carlisle CA3 8DA
Phone: +44 (0)1228 548866
www.carlislecitychurch.org
Email: carlislecitychurch@hotmail.com

We are a Grade 2 listed building, one of few with a barrelled roof. The building houses 2 churches. One of them, Lowther Street Congregational Church, is the oldest non-comformist churches in the city dating back to 1658. It has connections with the former USA president Woodrow Wilson, whose Grandfather was it's minister. Woodrow Wilson visited the church in 1918 to sign the Versaille Peace Treaty.

Carlisle Racecourse - The Racecourse, Durdar Road, Carlisle CA2 4TS
Phone: +44 (0)1228 522973 - Fax: +44 (0)1228 591827

Set in open countryside, the undulating course provides high quality racing every month of the year staging eleven national hunt meetings from September to April and nine flat meetings between April and August.

Guildhall Museum - Green Market, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8JE
Phone: +44 (0)1228 534781 - Fax:+44 (0)1228 810249

The Guildhall Museum situated in the heart of the city of Carlisle, has been the home to Carlisle’s historic Trade Guilds for over 500 years, and is one of the oldest surviving buildings of the city. Displays feature Guild items and special objects like the great city chest and the medieval stocks. The Guildhall is open April to October and admission is free.

Linton Tweeds - Shaddon Mills, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 5TZ
Phone: +44 (0)1228 527569 - Fax: +44 (0)1228 512062

Come along to view the elegant, beautifully designed and finished novelty tweeds, in our showroom. The tweeds are produced to supply many top international fashion houses but selected fabrics are available to buy from our showroom or by mail order.

Tullie House Museum - Castle Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8TP
Phone: +44 (0)1228 534781 - Fax: +44 (0)1228 810249

Discover Carlisle’s underground Millennium Gallery with its spectacular mix of traditional and cutting edge works. The story is told in dramatic audio visual display, with striking recreations of long vanished scenes and imaginative hands-on displays. There’s something for everyone!

Carlisle Castle – The Castle, Carlisle , Cumbria CA3 8UR

Border stronghold keep, 1092, on site of Roman fort. The 12thC keep has vaulted passages, chambers, staircases & towers. Dungeon & 14thC main gate.

Solway Aviation Museum - Aviation House, Carlisle Airport , Crosby-on-Eden , Carlisle , CA6 4NW
Phone: +44 (0)1228 573823
http://www.solway-aviation-museum.co.uk

Our aircraft collection is based on British jet aircraft that entered service with the RAF during the 1950s and 1960s.

Clifton Hall - Clifton Hall Farm, Clifton, Penrith, Cumbria, LA13 0TJ
Phone: +44 (0)191 2691214

Bitts Park - Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8SL
Phone: +44 (0)1228 817359

Horticultural flower show with gardening accessories, floral art displays, craft marquee and plant stalls.

High Head Sculpture Valley - High Head Farm, Ivegill, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA4 0PJ
Phone and Fax: +44 (0)16974 73552
Email: info@highheadsculpturevalley.co.uk
www.highheadsculpturevalley.co.uk/

Cumbria 's unique tourist attraction is a feast for the senses... there is so much to see and do one visit will never be enough.

Hadrian’s Wall
www.hadrians-wall.org

Nearly 2000 years ago, in 122 AD, the Emperor Hadrian embarked on a huge undertaking: to mark the northernmost boundary of Roman Britain with an unusually long fortified wall. Skirmishing tribes were contained behind it for over 350 years and Hadrian's name written indelibly into the history of this evocative and diverse part of the UK .
Today, parts of Hadrian's Wall are still visible; the line of it stretching from Wallsend in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west, and the fortifications continuing down the west coast to Ravenglass.

Settle to Carlisle Railway
http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk

The 72 mile route from Settle to Carlisle takes you on a journey through the magnificent Yorkshire Dales, over the 24 arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct before plunging in to the longest tunnel on the line at Blea Moor. Emerging onto the side of Dentdale, the line leaves the Dales at Garsdale and makes it way through the gentle, lush rolling hills of the Eden Valley , with rural villages and market towns before arriving at the great border city of Carlisle.

Carlisle offers one of the most compact, level and visitor friendly city centres in the country. From boutique chic to familiar high-street havens, you will find it all in the award winning The Lanes shopping centre and the pedestrianised main high street.
Visit the award-winning Market Hall, which is now one of the few remaining covered Victorian Markets in the country.
The regular city centre Farmer's Market has a huge variety of food from around the region, and the annual Food Fair and continental market bring in specialist produce from far and near.
Carlisle Shopmobility enables those with walking difficulties to explore the shops with ease, providing free wheelchairs and powered scooters. Please contact Carlisle City Council's Shopmobility Co-ordinator on +44 (0)1228 625950.

Skitby House Restaurant - Kirklinton, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 6DL
Phone: +44 (0)1228675013

No 10 Restaurant - 10 Eden Mount, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9LY
Phone: +44 (0)1228524183

Fantails Restaurant - The Green, Wetheral, Carlisle, Cumbria CA4 8ET
Phone: +44 (0)1228560239

The Old Arcadian Restaurant - 77 English Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8LU
Phone: +44 (0)1228596334

Cecils Treat Cafe & Restaurant - 36 Cecil Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1NT
Phone: +44 (0)01228514868

The New Jade Garden Ltd - 141-145 Botchergate, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1RZ
Phone: +44 (0)1228810265

Golden Valley - 264-266 London Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 2QS
Phone: +44 (0)1228819989

La Pergola Ristorante - 28 Castle Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8TP
Phone: +44 (0)1228534084

Michelangelo Ristorante - English Damside, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8AU
Phone: +44 (0)1228525117

Casa Romana - 44 Warwick Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1DN
Phone: +44 (0)1228591969

Alexandro's - 68 Warwick Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1DR
Phone: +44 (0)1228592227

Shaha Tandoori & Balti Restaurant - 89-91 Botchergate, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1RS
Phone: +44 (0)1228520050

Stanwix Tandoori - 11a Scotland Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9HR
Phone: +44 (0)1228531495

Bari - 21- 23 West Tower Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8QT
Phone: +44 (0)1228522970

Indigo Indian Restaurant - 92 Denton Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 5EN
Phone: +44 (0)1228527527

Teza - 4 Englishgate Plaza, Botchergate, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1RP
Phone: +44 (0)1228525111

Bells Of Lazonby Ltd. (Bakers) - 52 Warwick Rd, Carlisle CA1 1DR
Phone: +44 (0) 1228 527268

Routledges The Bakers Ltd - The Exchange, Lonsdale St., Carlisle CA1 1BZ
Phone: +44 (0) 1228 818862

Greggs (Bakers) - Unit 22, Globe La, Lanes Shopping Centre, Carlisle CA3 8NX
Phone: +44 (0) 1228 514184

Graves (Health foods & products) - 14-16 Globe La, Lanes Shopping Centre, Carlisle CA3 8NX
Phone: +44 (0) 1228 819159
Fax: +44 (0)1228 819159

J J & J Benson (Greengrocers) - 36 The Market, Scotch St., Carlisle CA3 8QX
Phone: +44 (0) 1228 548767

Donald Nattrass (Butchers) - 57-58 The Market, Scotch St., Carlisle CA3 8QX
Phone: +44 (0) 1228 521959

Eden Valley Wholefoods (Health foods) - 34 The Market, Scotch St. , Carlisle CA3 8QX
Phone: +44 (0) 1228 546853

Kingrigg Livery Stables - Kingrigg Farm, Newby Cross, Carlisle, Cumbria CA5 6JP
Phone: +44 (0)1228 711211

Border Air Training Ltd - Hangar 30, Carlisle Airport, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 4NW
Phone: +44 (0)1228573490

Stony Holme Golf Course - Stonyholme Cottage, St. Aidans Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1LS
Phone: +44 (0)1228625511

Shapers Health & Beauty Salon - 2 Cecil Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1NL
Phone: +44 (0)1228810588

The Pools Swimming & Health Centre - James Street , Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 5AZ
Phone: +44 (0)1228 625777

West Walls Theatre - West Walls, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8UB
Phone: +44 (0)1228533233

W J Shankland (Taxi) - 117 Scotland Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9HH
Phone: +44 (0)122826253

Patricia Warwick (Taxi) - 82 Boundary Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 4HT
Phone: +44 (0)122831131

T J Nugent (Taxi) - 88 Pennine Way, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 3RN
Phone: +44 (0)122830770

Carlisle Drivers (Taxi) - 12 Portland Place, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1RW
Phone: +44 (0)1228515818

Metro Taxis - Lamplugh Street Garage, Carlisle , Cumbria CA2 5AU
Phone: +44 (0)1228522088

Cab's Taxis - 6a Lamplugh Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 5AS
Phone: +44 (0)1228599999

Wj Shankland (Taxi) - 117 Scotland Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9HH
Phone: +44 (0)122826253

Joan's Cars (Taxi) - 35 Esk Street, Longtown, Cumbria CA6 5PU
Phone: +44 (0)1228791159

Motoport (Car hire) - 104 Botchergate, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1SN
Phone: +44 (0)1228590155

Enterprise Rent-A-Car - 2-6 Church Street, Caldewgate, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 5SZ
Phone: +44 (0)1228599877

Stagecoach (Coach operator) - Broadacre House, 16- 20 Lowther Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8DA
Phone: +44 (0)1228597222

Caldew Coaches (Private) - Caldew Garage, Barras Lane, Carlisle, Cumbria CA5 7LX
Phone: +44 (0)1228711690

George Tinniswood Irving (Coaches) - 3 Lingyclose Road, Dalston, Carlisle, Cumbria CA5 7LB
Phone: +44 (0)1228710810

Stacey's Mini Coaches - 38 Richardson Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 6AA
Phone: +44 (0)1228511127

Metcalfe Coaches Ltd - Holly Oaks, The Gill, Carlisle, Cumbria CA5 7JP
Phone: +44 (0)1228711288

Eden Community Church
A small informal non-denominational church which values community, friendship and seeing God at work in each others lives and the global church. We meet every Sunday at 10:30.
Eden Community Church, Church Street, Caldewgate, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA2 5TN
http://ecchurch.co.uk

Carlisle Cathedral
Founded in 1122. Contains many historical features. Following the defeat of the 2nd Jacobite uprising of 1745, many of the defeated Jacobites were held in the Cathedral and tortured before execution.

St Pauls Elim Pentecostal Church - 14 Spencer Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1BG
Phone: +44 (0)122846613

St Michaels C Of E Church - Church Street, Stanwix, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9DJ
Phone: +44 (0)1228511430

St Barnabas C Of E Church - St. Barnabas Rectory, Brookside, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 7JU
Phone: +44 (0)1228515274

St Peters Church - St. Peters Church , Kingstown Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 0BB
Phone: +44 (0)1228515972

The Salvation Army - Carlisle Citadel Abbey Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8TX
Phone: +44 (0)1228520898

Our Lady & St Josephs R C Church - The Rectory, Warwick Square, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 1LB
Phone: +44 (0)1228521509

St John The Evangelist - St. Johns Vicarage, London Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 2QQ
Phone: +44 (0)1228521601

St Augustines R C Church - 10 Waverley Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9JU
Phone: +44 (0)1228526765

Central Methodist Church - 5 Market Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8QJ
Phone: +44 (0)1228545540

St Elisabeth's Church - Arnside Road, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 3QA
Phone: +44 (0)1228596427

St James Church - St. James Church, St. James Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 5PD
Phone: +44 (0)1228810616

St Michaels Church - 1 The Square, Dalston, Carlisle, Cumbria CA5 7PJ
Phone: +44 (0)1228711993

Church Of The Nazarene - 51 Moorhouse Road, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA2 7LU
Phone: +44 (0)1228525040

Carlisle Christian Fellowship - Charlotte Street Church, Charlotte Street, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 5BT
Phone: +44 (0)1228531521

St. Cuthberts
Stands on a site dedicated to St. Cuthbert in 685 AD.
Graves in the churchyard include those of soldiers executed following the defeat of the second Jacobite Uprising of 1745.

Carlisle Information