Known as the Border City, Carlisle is a fantastic old county town which is located only 16 kilometres to the south of the Scottish border.
Because Carlisle is also close to the Lake District area of natural beauty this is a popular spot for UK residents to go on holiday or retire. With that in mind here are the top five things to do in Carlisle.
1) Tullie House Museum
Tullie House is the best place to get an overview of Carlisle. The museum explores its turbulent status as a border city and the ancient history all the way back to the ancient Viking burial sites which are dotted around Carlisle. Art lovers can also admire pre-Raphaelite masterpieces which adorn the museum walls.
2) Carlisle Castle
Carlisle is steeped in the history of conflict having been the site of numerous forts built near to Hadrian’s Wall. Carlisle Castle has elements dating back to the Norman Conquest and in the 16th century Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here after losing the Scottish throne. Inside the castle you can walk through winding chambers before reaching the castle summit which has spectacular views.
3) Carlisle Cathedral
Founded in 1112, Carlisle Cathedral is one of the oldest and best preserved cathedrals in England. And that is despite a turbulent past which saw large sections of the cathedral destroyed by Parliamentarian troops in the 17th century.
4) Shopping
Carlisle has some excellent second hand shopping. That includes a massive bookstore opposite the cathedral which is renowned for its friendly staff, and the Strawberry Fields second hand clothing store near the Law Courts.
5) Get Out And About
At 885 square miles The Lake District is the largest national park in the country. It is home to some of the most picturesque settlements including Windemere which was built along the lake of the same name. The Lake District is also excellent for walking, hiking and climbing as it has one of the largest peaks in the United Kingdom.
If you would like to live out your dream of retiring in the Lake District, then contact Barton Park as their Orton Grange park homes are situated just on the outskirts of Carlisle within easy reach of the A595 road. That allows you to drive north east towards the city of Carlisle and also gives you easy access to the Lake District.