Carlisle Castle
Carlisle Castle things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Carlisle Castle is a stone keep medieval fortress located in the city of Carlisle near the ruins of Hadrian's Wall. First built during the reign of William II in 1092 and rebuilt in stone under Henry I in 1122, the castle is over 930 years old and has been the scene of many episodes in British history.
attractions: Primark, Carlisle Cathedral, Tullie, The County Hotel, Fusion Trampoline Park & Jurassic Golf Carlisle, Bitts park, Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, Flutter & Fern, StagedRight Youth Theatre, restaurants: The William Rufus - JD Wetherspoon, Woodrow Wilson - JD Wetherspoon, Alexandros Greek Restaurant and Deli, Turf Tavern, The Last Zebra, Nando's Carlisle, Thin White Duke, Apple Tree, Casa Romana, Coco Mill
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Description
Carlisle Castle is a stone keep medieval fortress located in the city of Carlisle near the ruins of Hadrian's Wall. First built during the reign of William II in 1092 and rebuilt in stone under Henry I in 1122, the castle is over 930 years old and has been the scene of many episodes in British history.
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Came here on the way down south. Only had limited time, but this castle was on our route. Has an interesting part in history and was free for us EH members. For 500 years, until the English and Scottish crowns were united in 1603, Carlisle Castle was the principal fortress of England’s north-western border with Scotland. Unlike most medieval castles, it has been continuously occupied since its foundation by William II in 1092. When Mary, Queen of Scots fled from her rebellious subjects to England in May 1567, she was housed for some weeks here. This was the last time the castle was used as a royal residence. These are just some of the countless interesting facts. There's a lot more to see, learn and read. Funnily enough just the day before we've visited Linlinthgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary. You can visit lots of rooms, can walk on the walls. You can see the prison cells and much more. Its' a highly interesting castle. There is also Cumbria's Museum of Military Life on site, if you got some time on your hands. A museum shop, toilets and a café/restaurant. Picnic tables outside as well. All in all a very interesting visit. We only had 2-3 hours time, but you could easily spend a day here.
Alex HaasAlex Haas
10
There are really two parts to a visit here; exploring the Old Castle which now consists of the Inner Ward (or Bailey, they mean the same thing), and the Outer ward, an area of more modern buildings but housing the exceptionally good military museum. It's the inclusion of this museum that gives it 5 stars for me. The Inner Ward is made up of a number of buildings but the principal one, as you'd expect, is the Keep; a very robust structure with thick walls. You get great views from the walkway which goes right around the top of the wall. An exhibition room in the inner ward details the full history of the castle; the most besieged castle of any in Britain. You must visit the Cumbria museum of miltary life in the Outer Ward, it's excellent, and quite easy to spend an hour here. Plenty of exhibits and videos detailing the stories of the different regiments from this area. I was particularly impressed by the stories of the 34th (formed in 1702) and 55th regiments (formed in 1755). These regiments were later named Cumberland & Westmorland regiments respectively.
Miles MacdonaldMiles Macdonald
40
We've been to a few castles before, some in disrepair and others still functioning. This is a functional castle, acting currently as the base for a TA regiment, among other functions. Entry fees depend on the day of the week and time of year, but it is roughly £14 per person with a slight discount if booking in advance online. Parking is just around the wall, and is only a few quid for all day parking. Once inside the castle wall we were a little unsure where to go and what there was to see. There is very little tourist signage up, but we headed for the main keep inside an inner wall. The keep is empty and there are a few illustrations of how it may have looked several hundred years earlier. It is in very good repair though for a 900 year old building! In one of the inner buildings there is a display on the various sieges that the castle has endured, which is quite interesting. You can also walk around the top of the walls, passing by two large cannon. Back out in the outer area there is a military museum which was chock-full of military memorabilia from the forces based there over the years. This was surprisingly interesting and informative, with much more content than we expected. The entry fee for this is included in the main castle fee. Overall, if you're in Carlisle, I recommend you take a look, but it doesn't rank among the top castles in the UK for us.
David GerrardDavid Gerrard
70
The Castle is beside a very busy dual carriageway and unlike many other castles on the English Heritage network, isn’t a peaceful idyll. However the welcome by staff was warm and informative and I was appraised of the conservation work being undertaken on the tower of the castle, the reason for its encasement by scaffolding. Inside the castle walls it was quiet and peaceful even though it is shared by active military barracks and a military museum (entrance covered by English Heritage admission charge). There are no cafe facilities here but plenty of choice across the dual carriageway in the city centre. The castle has an interesting history and an interpretive room showing the number of sieges endured, more than you can shake a stick at. A small enticing shop completed a worthwhile visit.
Michael SladeMichael Slade
60
English Heritage, free for members. Carlisle Castle was first built during the reign of William II of England, the son of William the Conqueror. At that time, Cumberland was still considered a part of Scotland. William II ordered the construction of a Norman style Motte and Bailey castle in Carlisle on the site of the old Roman fort of Luguvalium, dated by archaeological artefactsto to 72AD, with the castle construction beginning in 1092. In 1122, Henry I of England ordered a stone castle with towers to be constructed on the site. A keep and city walls were constructed. The existing keep dates from somewhere between 1122 and 1135. The tower keep castle is one of only 104 recorded examples, most being found on the WELSH border. The doodles on the walls were great.
Pete / HelPete / Hel
00
Top tip!!! Save £1 on each ticket by buying online. A really good day out, lots to see, no shows or activities though, so you must entertain yourself. The guy on the door/ counter was great - really enthusiastic and great with our 10 year old. The same has to be said about the guy with glasses in the museum bit - spot on with children, full on chatty with us. In the middle section there are plenty of picinic areas and grassy knolls for lunch, there is a great onsite cafe .. a touch expensive! - but again the staff were chatty and friendly and great with children. Above the cafe was a potato stamping activity free. So all in all a really good day out.
AndyAndy
40
Nearby Attractions Of Carlisle Castle
Primark
Carlisle Cathedral
Tullie
The County Hotel
Fusion Trampoline Park & Jurassic Golf Carlisle
Bitts park
Cumbria's Museum of Military Life
Flutter & Fern
StagedRight Youth Theatre
Primark
4.2
(1.1K)Click for details
Carlisle Cathedral
4.7
(846)Click for details
Tullie
4.6
(496)Click for details
The County Hotel
3.3
(438)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Carlisle Castle
The William Rufus - JD Wetherspoon
Woodrow Wilson - JD Wetherspoon
Alexandros Greek Restaurant and Deli
Turf Tavern
The Last Zebra
Nando's Carlisle
Thin White Duke
Apple Tree
Casa Romana
Coco Mill
The William Rufus - JD Wetherspoon
4.1
(1.3K)$
Click for details
Woodrow Wilson - JD Wetherspoon
4.2
(951)$
Click for details
Alexandros Greek Restaurant and Deli
4.8
(550)$$
Click for details
Turf Tavern
3.9
(700)$
Click for details
Reviews
Overview
4.4
(1.8K reviews)
Phone
+44 370 333 1181
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Website
english-heritage.org.uk
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Deep Dive
A deep dive into Carlisle Castle
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