Carlisle

Located in the north-east corner of Cumbria only a short distance south of the Scottish border Carlisle is an old city that still manages to retain a bit of charm without being particularly touristy. There is plenty of (paid) parking in town but be aware many one-way streets or you can arrive at the wonderfully ornate train station which happens to be the terminus of the famous “Settle-Carlisle Railway” steam train that travels through the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

If you are looking for some peace and quiet, there is a lovely “green” running along the river (Eden) that you can walk along and spend some time looking at the birds or talking to the local cows…The small formal “Eden Bridge Gardens” located at the northern edge of Eden Bridge are also worth a visit (free).

Just walking around the town is interesting enough, but there a few things to look out for.

There are a few remnants of the city walls that you can explore for free but there is a fee to visit the understated Carlisle Castle which is operated by English Heritage.

The Carlisle Citadel is also part of the city fortifications so is worth seeking out (it is right near the train station) but is not generally open to the public.

The 12th century Carlisle Cathedral is worth a visit with helpful volunteers and an interesting treasury exhibit in the basement as well as a wonderful, quiet, café in the courtyard (with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating along with daily specials).

Each Friday and Saturday there is an outdoor market in the centre of town. “Carlisle Market Hall” is a sad indoor market with a handful of stalls and a few cheap places to eat (under renovation; closed Sunday) which is located in the “old town” – An area of town with cobble streets, old buildings and narrow alleys.

Carlisle is home to the oldest biscuit factory in the world - “The Biscuit Factory” the former manufacturer of Carr's biscuits but now McVitie's which has a shop selling seriously discounted biscuits (10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday) that is well worth a visit for fans of biscuits.

Though I have not visited, I am told the Tullie museum and gallery is well worth a visit.

If you are a fan of old, dusty, crowded used bookstores you should definitely check out Bookends at 19 Castle Street (CA3 8SY) which is (literally) connected to “Bookcase” (new books and a café). This is a labyrinth of rooms over several floors with a vague notion of organization that will be heaven for book readers.

For further information, please see:

• Discover Carlisle - Tourist information from the council
• Wikipedia - Carlisle
• Wikivoyage - Carlisle