Pictures of Carlisle Castle

a Castle in the town of Carlisle, in the county of Cumbria

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About Carlisle Castle

Set in the scenic surroundings on the northern outskirts of Carlisle, the castle built by William Rufus in the late 11th century to be rebuilt in the mid-12th century, has watched over this historic city for more than nine hundred years.

The castle has a stirring history, it lived through turbulent border warfare and offers visitors an exciting time exploring the lives of William Rufus, Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. It has fascinating, ancient dungeons where you can almost feel the icy chill of fear felt by Jacobite prisoners as they made their way through dark secret passages to meet their fate at Gallows Hill.

Carlisle Castle is the home to the Border Regiment Museum which thrills visitors with the legendry stories and displays of the rich history of Cumbria's County Infantry Regiment, the Border Regiment, the King's Own Border Regiment and the local Militia.

The castle forms a striking backdrop for historical re-enactments, when large numbers of people enjoy seeing knights in shining armour engaged in battle, or jousting tournaments when knights fight for the favour of a fair maiden.

In the castle keep there is a model of Carlisle depicting the city of 1745. There is also an exhibition focusing on the Bonnie Prince and the Jacobite rising. Visitors can see the legendry "licking stones" which parched prisoners licked in an ill-fated attempt to stay alive.

Carlisle Castle is in the care of English Heritage. Visitors to the castle may part-take of a guided tour of the castle, tour alone, or attend a special "Themed" guided tour during a special event day. These tours cover the Ghostly and Ghastly history of the castle, the Siege of Carlisle, The Bravehearts, Border Reivers Escape and The Gunpowder Plot to name but a few.

The castle is open for most of the year, official closing days are normally 24th-26th December and the 1st January.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Carlisle Castle.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Carlisle Castle

Carlisle Cathedral	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)	Pictures
Talkin Tarn Country Park	(9.7 miles, 15.5 km, direction E)	Pictures
Holme Cultram Abbey	(14.0 miles, 22.6 km, direction W)	Pictures
Long Meg & her Daughters	(16.1 miles, 25.9 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Penrith Castle	(18.5 miles, 29.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Dalemain House & Gardens	(18.6 miles, 29.9 km, direction S)	Pictures
Brougham Castle	(19.1 miles, 30.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum	(20.2 miles, 32.5 km, direction S)	Pictures
Whinfell Forest	(21.3 miles, 34.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Castlerigg Stone Circle	(21.4 miles, 34.4 km, direction S)	Pictures

All attractions in Cumbria
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Carlisle Castle

Carlisle, in the county of Cumbria (0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
For over 1700 years this town occupied an important position on the Scottish-English border, few town's have experienced such...
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Brampton, in the county of Cumbria (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction E)
One of the loveliest features of Brampton is its octagonal Moot Hall, built by the Earl of Lancaster in 1817.
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Caldbeck, in the county of Cumbria (11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction SW)
An old brewery stands beside the Caldbeck - a tribute to the cold clear waters which gave the village its name. Caldbeck, which...
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Silloth, in the county of Cumbria (17.8 miles, 28.6 km, direction W)
Silloth lies at one of the widest points along the estuary, it was established as a harbour for coastal shipping during the 19th-century.
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Penrith, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cumbria (18.0 miles, 29.0 km, direction SE)
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Bassenthwaite, in the county of Cumbria (18.1 miles, 29.0 km, direction SW)
This is the most northerly of all the lakes, it resembles beaten silver nestling between the sun dappled heights of soaring fells...
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Threlkeld, in the county of Cumbria (19.8 miles, 31.9 km, direction S)
This is a magical area of sparking lakes, tumbling waterfalls, high peaks and vast moorland regions.
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Alston, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cumbria (21.0 miles, 33.8 km, direction E)
At a height of over 1,000 feet in the far reaches of the Pennines, this is one of England's highest market towns. Alston is a...
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Askham, in the county of Cumbria (21.6 miles, 34.8 km, direction S)
Snow tinges the broad grass verges of tree lined streets and a weak, late afternoon sun, filters down across the view of Lowther Castle situated at the edge of the village.
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Keswick, in the county of Cumbria (21.9 miles, 35.2 km, direction S)
Keswick is a pretty Market Town that nestles between the spectacular Skiddaw Mountains and the northern end of the serene...
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Nearby travel help

Carlisle Station	(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
M6 Junction 44	(2.3 miles, 3.6 km, direction N)
M6 Junction 43	(2.3 miles, 3.6 km, direction E)
Dalston Station	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction SW)
Newcastle International Airport	(50.7 miles, 81.5 km, direction E)
Teesside International Airport	(66.3 miles, 106.6 km, direction SE)
Carlisle Castle to London	(261.9 miles, 421.3 km, direction SE)

Accommodation & Hotels near Carlisle Castle

Hotel Name
Crown & Mitre	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
Nightowl Carlisle Ltd (Nt Services)	(2.1 miles, 3.3 km, direction N)
Willowbeck Lodge	(2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction E)
Smiths At Gretna Green Hotel	(9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction NW)
Days Inn Hotel Gretna Green	(9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction NW)
Cross Keys Hotel	(12.6 miles, 20.3 km, direction N)
Wheyrigg Hall Hotel	(13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction W)
Kirkconnel Hall Hotel	(17.6 miles, 28.3 km, direction NW)
The Roundthorn Country House	(17.8 miles, 28.6 km, direction SE)
George Hotel	(17.9 miles, 28.7 km, direction SE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts