One day in Carlisle - top things to do and see in England's Great Border City.

If you're planning a trip to Carlisle, Cumbria, this is the guide for you! With a fascinating 2000-year history, beginning as a mighty Roman garrison at the western end of Hadrian's Wall and later evolving into an epic Medieval Castle town, Carlisle is the perfect jumping-off point to explore the beautiful Lake District, visit the outstanding Roman frontier forts of Birdoswald and Vindolanda, or simply break a journey up to Scotland.

If you're looking to explore the best of this fascinating city, here's our suggested one day Carlisle itinerary:

A cathedral ceiling that rivals the stars

Start your exploration with a visit to the magnificent Carlisle Cathedral. This beautiful red sandstone building is home to one of the most spectacular English cathedrals we've ever visited, thanks to its breathtaking cobalt blue ceiling bedecked with stars. The story goes that Owen Jones, the architect, was inspired by the Alhambra in Granada, which we can definitely see in the mathematically precise details and rich colour palette. Jamie was absolutely mesmerised!

Once you're inside, you'll notice the cathedral's short, truncated shape. Already the second smallest ancient cathedral in England, Carlisle's Norman nave was demolished by Scottish Covenanters after the 1645 Siege of Carlisle and never rebuilt. The stone was taken to rebuild and fortify Carlisle Castle and all that remains are two eastern bays, used as the Chapel of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

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

Free entry with a suggested donation of £5 per adult visitor

The most besieged castle in England

Next up, it’s time to step back in time at Carlisle Castle. This imposing stronghold boasts an amazing history dating back over 900 years. Built by William II in 1092, it was key to guarding the turbulent English/Scottish border, hosting everyone from the future King Richard III (in his role as to the captive Mary, Queen of Scots. Being such an important stronghold, it comes as no surprise that Carlisle Castle has been besieged more times than any other in England!

Visitors today can explore the massive stone walls, half moon battery, the eerie dungeons and the impressive defensive structures. Don't miss the chance to climb the Keep, where you can find some amazing medieval carvings on the 2nd floor, most likely the handiwork of bored prison guards. Your entry ticket also includes access to a small military museum on site, detailing the history of what is now known as the Border Regiment, which has been based in Carlisle for the last couple of hundred years.

From November 1st the castle will only be open on weekends from 10am to 4pm. If you're reading this blog in February half term or in summer months, check opening times here as it should be back to opening daily again.

Adult tickets from £14.00, child (5-17 years) from £8.60.

Top Tip: Carlisle Castle is maintained by English Heritage and you can save 15% off the entry fee by booking your tickets online the day before. EH members have free entry.

Fueling Up: Where to Grab Lunch in Carlisle

All that history deserves a hearty break! Carlisle’s city centre, especially around the historic quarter, is packed with great independent places for lunch. If you're looking for a quick, fresh bite near the centre, we highly recommend Foxes Café & Deli for excellent bagels, paninis, and homemade soup, For a more substantial, hearty pub lunch, you can't beat The Thin White Duke, which offers its celebrated burgers alongside pub classics like fish & chips, steak & chips and roasted belly pork with mash and roasted veg. Alternatively, Bartons Yard Cafe at The Halston serves a great selection of tapas and gourmet sandwiches. Finally, if you're after a treat, book a table at long-standing favourite, David's Restaurant, for a modern British fine dining experience in a converted Victorian townhouse.

Roman finds and Pre-Raphaelite art

In the afternoon, pay a visit to another Carlisle gem, Tullie. The city's cultural centre is part museum, part art gallery and fun for all ages. Housed in a 17th century house made of the same local red sandstone as the cathedral and castle, Tullie has just had a major refurbishment. Highlights include the fascinating Roman Frontier Gallery, which showcases significant local Roman finds alongside artefacts on loan from the British Museum, the brand-new Carlisle Gallery, dedicated to the city's social and industrial history, the extensive Costume Collection celebrating Cumbrian women's history and the Old Tullie House which features a nationally important collection of Pre-Raphaelite art.

Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday 11am - 4pm.

Adult day ticket £8.50, under 18s free.

N.B. From Tullie: Work to transform the Border Galleries will be starting from early 2026 – at this point, some of the displays will be off limits to visitors. As work progresses, our team and contractors will need unrestricted access to the space, meaning that the entire area will become inaccessible.

We expect this transformation to be completed by summer 2027, when you can look forward to seeing thousands more collections items on display!

A summer alternative

If you're visiting Carlisle in summer and would like a child friendly outdoor option, Bitts Park right outside the castle has a fantastic children's play area and seasonal splash park!

Capping off the trip with local brews

After a long day soaking up all that history and architecture, there’s no better way to cap it off than with a pint of something local at independent brewers West Walls Brewing Co., conveniently located on the walkout of the city centre back towards Carlisle train station. Their tap room is the perfect place to reflect on the day's discoveries and they even serve home made pizza by the slice!

Open Thursday 4pm - 10pm, Friday/Saturday 12pm - 11pm and Sunday 1pm - 8pm. Children are welcomed until 8pm.

How to get to Carlisle:

By train: Carlisle is in Cumbria, northwest England, and is easily accessible using Avanti West Coast services. The train station is an easy 10 minutes walk from Carlisle Castle, the cathedral and the city centre's shops and restaurants.

For example, regular trains run from London Euston (3 hours 18 mins), Manchester Piccadilly (1 hour 50 mins, changing at Preston) and Glasgow Central (1 hour 15 mins).

By car: Carlisle is on the M6 motorway, 12 miles south of the Scottish border. It's a 2.5 hour drive from Edinburgh (101 miles), 1 hour 50 from Glasgow (99 miles), 1.5 hours from Newcastle (59 miles) 2.5 hours from Liverpool (123 miles) and 4 hours from Birmingham (193 miles).

By air: Carlisle's closest airports are Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

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