Carlisle-Day 2

A cosmopolitan city with echoes of a Roman past.

It’s easy to see why people choose Carlisle as a great place to visit - from the Romans in the first century, to the legions that now arrive for a short break or longer holiday. In the beautiful and historic heart of Carlisle, City of the Lakes, you can stroll from the castle to the cathedral and on to Tullie House Museum - surrounded by great places to shop, eat and be entertained.

Hadrian’s Wall is just a stone’s throw away and was built to keep the marauding Scots out. The location of this border city means it has had a turbulent past, but the vibrant city life in this beautiful historic setting makes for an intriguing city break experience.

Morning

Keep your eyes peeled for the rare hexagonal post box outside the Town Hall, one of only 20 left in the country.

Carlisle City at Carlisle City Centre

Carlisle has a wealth of history and heritage, the Castle was founded in 1092, Hadrian's Wall bulit around AD122 to name a few. Explore the fantastic shopping and the surrounding spectacular countryside.

Lunch

Although a City, in Carlisle you are never far from lush and scenic landscape. Grab a picnic and follow the signs to Bitts Park, an award-winning park just metres from the city centre.

Bitts Park

The formal gardens of Bitts Park contain flower beds, lawns and a statue of Queen Victoria. The park offers opportunities for relaxation, play and sports.

Afternoon

Although a City, in Carlisle you are never far from lush and scenic landscape. Grab a picnic and follow the signs to Bitts Park, an award-winning park just metres from the city centre. If you long to stretch your legs further stay for a long weekend and pair your city break with an adventure along the Eden Way or Hadrian’s wall.

The Eden way is an 80 mile long walking route, which follows the River Eden through the picturesque Eden valley, from sea to source. A unique feature of this walk is that it can be broken into sections using the popular Settle-Carlisle railway. This walk follows the river from Carlisle, to its source in wild Mallerstang where Uther Pendragon, King Arthur's father, was once Lord.

If you are looking for a World Heritage signature experience then hop on the train and use the Hadrian’s Wall Country Line to explore some Roman heritage and walk the wall.

Eden Way

A unique feature of this walk is that it can be broken into sections using the popular Settle-Carlisle railway.

Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail

Overnight

Carlisle City at Carlisle City Centre

Carlisle is a city of vital strategic importance, its magnificent Castle founded in 1092 by William the Conqueror's son now stands as testament to the years of feuding over the English-Scottish border. Explore its imposing dungeons and labyrinths, find the Licking Stones and prisoners' carvings, as well as discovering how Bonnie Prince Charlie captured the Castle in 1745. Also, visit the nearby Citadel built by Henry VIII with its original 'twin drum' bastions.Parts of the city are built from stone from Hadrian's Wall, built around AD122, to consolidate the boundaries of the Roman Emperor Hadrian's empire. The Wall is now the most symbolic legacy of Britain's Roman occupation and one of the most important designated World Heritage Sites in existence today.In Carlisle, you can also relive the times between the 14th to the 17th century, when the Western end of the border was a lawless place, beset by feuds and bloody battles between warring families to uphold their honour and protect property and possessions.The city's Cathedral, with its famous 14th Century stained glass window, is a must-see as is the award winning Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, with its innovative Millennium Gallery.