The 10 Best Free Things to do in Carlisle, England

January 29, 2022 Stefan Strunk

Discover the best top things to do in Carlisle, United Kingdom including Carlisle Cathedral, The Lane Bar, Watchtree Nature Reserve, Talkin Tarn Park, Hammonds Ponds, Hadrian's Wall, The Shabby Scholar, The Wellington Inn & Caravan Park, Bitts Park, Bewcastle Cross & Museum.
Restaurants in Carlisle

1. Carlisle Cathedral

7 The Abbey, Carlisle CA3 8TZ England +44 1228 548151 [email protected] http://www.carlislecathedral.org.uk/
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,528 reviews

Carlisle Cathedral

Discover 900 years of faith and history the heart of Carlisle at one of The Border City's most visited attractions. Discover rare treasures, medieval paintings, stained glass and stunning architecture... Discover the turbulent story of the Borderlands - of kings, queens, bishops and rebels... Discover worship and music beneath our heavenly starlight ceiling... Discover peace and tranquility in the city centre... Discover more... Treasury exhibition, Gift Shop, expert Guides and Welcomers, and a treasure trail for young explorers. Free entry. Open daily.

Reviewed By frankart_10 - Lymington, United Kingdom

I love visiting cathedrals. I love the architecture, the magnificence, and the peace that they bestow upon the visitor. This is something a bit different. It's a very small cathedral, as cathedrals go. I'm not sure if it qualifies as being the smallest, but it will be thereabouts. It has an exceptionally fine painted ceiling, beautiful choir stalls of carved oak, and a wonderful organ, with majestic organ pipes. One might imagine, with all the stops out, the blast and vibration this makes must totally fill this small cathedral. There is good stained glass, a goodly collection of statues and monuments, and plenty of decorative silverware on the high altar and elsewhere. It's set in very pleasant grounds and adjacent to the cathedral is the old Abbey, currently undergoing a modern extension to provide a refectory snd learning centre. That I think is a good idea, but I"m not totally convinced by the design. The cathedral is pretty much in the heart of the city. Carlisle is not a large city, so it's walkable from almost any point in the town, and it's well worth a visit.

2. The Lane Bar

18 Fisher Street Long Lane, Carlisle CA3 8RH England +44 1228 318013 [email protected] http://www.thelanecarlisle.co.uk
Excellent
82%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

The Lane Bar

3. Watchtree Nature Reserve

Great Orton near Wiggonby, Carlisle CA5 6NL England +44 1228 712539 [email protected] http://www.watchtree.co.uk
Excellent
69%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 121 reviews

Watchtree Nature Reserve

Reviewed By Madturkey - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Visited this nature reserve twice on a recent holiday to Carlisle. The wide open, flat and well surfaced paths, based on the runways of a WW2 airfield, are perfect for pottering about on bikes with younger children, especially as you can hire bikes for a very reasonable price. We also hired a two-seat kart for our non-cycling youngster so he could keep up with his older brothers (while I did the pedalling!). I found it very theraputic to listen to the noise of the wind-turbines too, which I'd never heard close up before. There are various information boards dotted around the site which explain the history and also some of the wildlife you may see. You're not just restricted to the cycle paths as there are a few tracks that head off to allow a more sedate experience. On-site local burgers and sausages were deliciious too.

4. Talkin Tarn Park

Carlisle England +44 7843 833909 http://www.carlisle.gov.uk/default.aspx?Page=4951
Excellent
58%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 728 reviews

Talkin Tarn Park

Reviewed By JOHNTY49

Enjoyed a lovely walk around the tarn earlier this week, the colours were fantastic, it was great to walk and kick the leaves. We were so looking forward to having a hot drink at the snack bar before we left but found that they only took card payments, and my card was in the car so we decided not to bother. Cant wait to go back, I will take my card next time.

5. Hammonds Ponds

Durdar Road, Carlisle CA2 4SD England http://www.carlisle.gov.uk/Residents/Leisure/Parks-and-Open-Spaces/hammonds-pond
Excellent
46%
Good
54%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13 reviews

Hammonds Ponds

6. Hadrian's Wall

Carlisle CA4 8LN England +44 141 530 8886 https://www.facebook.com/EHHadriansWall/
Excellent
65%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 678 reviews

Hadrian's Wall

Discover Lakeland provides bespoke guided tours along Hadrian's Wall. All tours are personalised to your interests and requirements. Transport and baggage transfers can also be arranged.

Reviewed By SarahC186534 - Glasgow, United Kingdom

Well signposted locations and excellent facilities at Birdoswald Roman Fort! Parking areas along the way to view features of the Wall.

7. The Shabby Scholar

11 Carlyles Court, Carlisle CA3 8RY England +44 1228 402813 http://www.theshabbyscholar.co.uk
Excellent
58%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

The Shabby Scholar

Reviewed By stevenhT9422IF - Burley in Wharfedale, United Kingdom

I took my children for lunch on Xmas Eve, youngest is 24 yrs , we all had different meals but all 5 of us were very happy, service was great and food was fantastic, no starters tho, so we asked if we could have the prawns and some nachos to share as a started , which was no bother to them, would definitely go back, faultless and not expensive , keep up the good work and a good choice of beer too .

8. The Wellington Inn & Caravan Park

Great Orton, Carlisle CA5 6LZ England +44 1228 710775 https://www.facebook.com/wellington.greatorton/
Excellent
88%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16 reviews

The Wellington Inn & Caravan Park

Reviewed By stuu2018

I actually won Sunday Dinner for two on Facebook. Amazing food, very friendly and we have booked a table for next Sunday. I think we will be visiting here more often. Thanks Barry and the rest of the team for making our first visit to your amazing place a great one ????????

9. Bitts Park

Dacre Road, Carlisle England +44 1228 591628 http://www.carlisle.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/parks_and_open_spaces/park_locations/bitts_park.aspx
Excellent
48%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 141 reviews

Bitts Park

Reviewed By C3869NUsamantham

We came here on our way to solway holiday village to let the kids have a play before continuing our journey. We were surprised at how good it was. There was a lack of seating but we sat on grass as weather was good. The children enjoyed the range of equipment and the sand pit. We saw a sign for toilets but we didn’t use them as we weren’t sure if they were open or how far we’d have to walk to get them. We walked across road (1 minute) to toilets at indoor market. We paid for 2 hours parking at £2.40. This place is handy for walking into Carlisle town centre and seeing Carlisle Castle which you can see the wall from park. We also took a wander across over road bridge and saw the Abbey and Cathedral. I would highly recommend a visit here for 3-4 hours to see if all .

10. Bewcastle Cross & Museum

Bewcastle, Carlisle CA6, Carlisle CA6 England http://www.bewcastle.com
Excellent
73%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

Bewcastle Cross & Museum

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