2015
DISCOVER
CARLISLE
ATTR ACTIONS
Carlisle Castle
Unlock stories, sieges and secrets at Carlisle’s best loved
landmark. www.english-heritage.org.uk/carlisle
Carlisle Racecourse
Flat and national hunt race meetings, many with exciting
themes, nearly all year round. A great day out for all the family.
www.carlisle-races.co.uk
Talkin Tarn Country Park
Telling the 300-year story of Cumbria’s army regiments
through books, documents, photographs and artefacts.
www.cumbriasmuseumofmilitarylife.org
A beautiful 65 acre tarn, formed 10,000 years ago and fed by
underground streams. Ideal for water sports or a peaceful walk
within the 120 acres of mature woods and grassland. Relax
afterwards in the Boathouse Tea Room.
www.carlisle.gov.uk/talkintarn
Carlisle Cathedral
Birdoswald Roman Fort
Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life
Founded in 1122, with stained glass windows from the
14th - 20th centuries and a Brougham Triptych altarpiece.
www.carlislecathedral.org.uk
Old Fire Station
The place to see the longest, continuous stretch of Hadrian’s Wall.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/birdoswald
Lanercost Priory
Exciting new arts and entertainment venue.
oldfirestation.carlisle.city
Visit the stunning ruins of this 12th Century Augustinian
monastery close to Hadrian’s Wall.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/lanercost
Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery
To find out more, visit www.discovercarlisle.co.uk
Historic collections, contemporary art and family fun.
www.tulliehouse.co.uk
Guildhall Museum
One of Carlisle’s oldest buildings, dating from c.1405.
www.tulliehouse.co.uk
The Sands Centre
Cumbria and South West Scotland’s premier venue for
entertainment. www.thesandscentre.co.uk
2
CONTENTS
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-18
19
20
Discover Carlisle
Entertainment, Fun and Freedom
Take Time Out
Stay With Us
Shopping
Beyond Carlisle
Big on Events
Tourist Information
Map
3
.discovercarli
w
sle
ww
.
c
uk
o.
DISCOVER CARLISLE
AND FIND YOURSELF
If it’s fun you want, from extreme sports to quality time with the
family, we have the places to play, attractions to visit and plenty
of quality and quirky dining and drinking experiences. We’re
surprisingly easy to get to and the perfect centre to explore
further afield.
4
5
Carlisle offers a wealth of historic and modern
attractions. In Carlisle’s Historic Quarter, the social
and cultural heart of the city, you will find a castle,
cathedral and museums.
From a strong medieval market town to the present
day contemporary city, Carlisle offers a huge choice
of attractions to enjoy, including adventure courses,
national sporting events, outdoor and indoor
recreation, heritage tours, award-winning parks,
nature reserves and beautiful open spaces.
www.discovercarlisle.co.uk
CARLISLE IS A DESTINATION FOR ENTERTAINMENT, FUN AND FREEDOM
6
7
TAKE TIME OUT
Carlisle has many vibrant areas for entertainment
and is a magnet for those looking for a lively way
to celebrate. Close to the pedestrianised city
centre are many unique watering holes with comfy
sofas, impeccable food and a choice of real ales
and fine wines.
w
8
dis
.
ww
c
rc
e
v
o
a
co. u
.
e
l
s
i
rl
k
9
STAY WITH US
Looking for places to stay in Carlisle, or an ideal
base to explore Hadrian’s Wall Country and the
Lake District? Whatever your budget, there is no
shortage of Carlisle accommodation on offer,
from luxury hotels to comfortable hostels,
self-catering cottages to country-based campsites.
www
.di
sc
ov
e rc
a rl i
s l e. c
o. u k
10
11
uk
o.
.c
e
l
s
li
.d
w
w
w
i
v
sco
e
r
a
rc
SHOPPING
Carlisle offers one of the most compact, level and visitor friendly
city centres in the country. The Lanes Shopping Centre has over 70
stores with many leading brands along with independent retailers.
The award-winning Market Hall, one of the few remaining
traditional covered Victorian Markets, has an unhurried feel and an
atmosphere all of its own.
The city centre also boasts regular Farmers’ Markets offering an
excellent choice of local produce and crafts.
Whether you’re here for a spending spree or simply want to
explore our many craft and countryside outlets, it’s a vibrant and
convenient destination.
12
13
www.discovercarlisle.co.uk
BEYOND CARLISLE
To the east is Hadrian’s Wall, a World Heritage Site that
attracts thousands of visitors every year. Just over the
border are the Scottish towns of Gretna and Dumfries.
East are the wild North Pennines and the picturesque
villages of the Eden Valley. The stunning landscapes of the
Lake District beckon south; while westwards the Victorian
seaside town of Silloth and the beautiful Solway Coast are
attractions not to be missed.
Whatever direction you wish to go - Carlisle is the perfect
base to explore further afield.
14
15
BIG ON EVENTS
Whatever the season there is always a festival or event happening
in the Carlisle area.
There are fun events for children and families, music concerts for
connoisseurs, agricultural shows, outdoor theatre, comedy nights,
ghostly tours and many innovative and one-off extravaganzas to
delight and entertain everyone.
Look out for a brand new arts centre and the fabulous Carlisle
Pageant in August, when giant puppets will be parading in the
streets, celebrating Carlisle’s historic characters.
Our spectacular Fireshow and the big Christmas Lights Switch On
will get everyone in the mood for the festive season.
w
16
di
.
ww
ve
o
c
s
r
l e. c o
s
i
l
r
ca
.uk
17
BIG ON EVENTS
Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 May Carlisle Spring Fling
Carlisle city centre
Monday 25 May Upperby Gala Hammond’s Pond, 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 6 June Cumberland Show Carlisle Racecourse,
9am - 6pm
Friday 12 June - Sunday 14 June Crime Writing Weekend
Old Fire Station. crimeweekend.carlisle.city
Wednesday 17 June Pride and Prejudice open-air theatre
Talkin Tarn Country Park
Friday 17 July The Sorcerer’s Apprentice open-air theatre
Bitts Park
Saturday 18 July - Sunday 19 July Carlisle Music City
Friday 31 July Sir Tom Jones Bitts Park
Thursday 13 August Treasure Island open-air theatre
Talkin Tarn Country Park
Saturday 22 August - Monday 31 August Carlisle Pageant
Carlisle city centre
Tuesday 8 September & Thursday 10 September Tour of Britain
Saturday 31 October Fireshow Funday Carlisle city centre,
2pm - 6pm
Saturday 31 October Fireshow Bitts Park
Pre-entertainment at 6.30pm and bonfire lit at 7pm
Sunday 15 November Christmas Lights Switch On
1pm - 5.30pm
TOURIST INFORMATION
To get maximum enjoyment from your stay, be sure to make full
use of our fabulous Tourist Information Centre (TIC) based in the
city centre.
Our TIC is staffed by friendly, local people who know the area
well and will do everything they can to make your time with us as
enjoyable as possible.
It is also a great place to check out all the excellent
accommodation in Carlisle and the surrounding area. Whether you
are looking for a city centre hotel, a welcoming B&B, a cosy
self-catering cottage or a handy camping site, our staff have all
the details.
And be sure to visit www.discovercarlisle.co.uk where you will find
everything you need to plan your visit to Carlisle.
The Visitor Centre, Old Town Hall, Carlisle, CA3 8JE
Tel: 01228 598 596
Email: [email protected]
Open: March to June & Sept to Oct
Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5pm
July & Aug Mon - Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm
May to Aug Sun 10.30am - 4pm
Nov to Feb Mon - Sat 10am - 4pm
Bank Holiday Mondays 10.30am - 4pm
Opening times are subject to change.
To find out more about our exciting events
programme, visit www.discovercarlisle.co.uk
18
w w w.
v
o
c
s
di
e
l
r
a
rc
e.
l
s
i
c
u
o.
k
19
DISCOVER
F
V
T I
S
T
F E
A
L
S
E
S
& FIND YOURSELF
www.discovercarlisle.co.uk
Every effort has been taken to ensure the information within this guide is accurate.
Discover Carlisle cannot accept responsibility for any error or omission that may
have occurred. Designed and produced by Carlisle City Council 2015.
© Discover Carlisle. All material printed in this guide is the copyright of the parties
mentioned and cannot be reproduced in any form without written permission.
Email: [email protected]
Pageant photography courtesy of www.sjstudios.co.uk