Top Things to do in Carlisle
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What to do and see in Carlisle, England: The Best Churches & Cathedrals
Discover the best top things to do in Carlisle, United Kingdom including St Michael's Church, Carlisle Cathedral, Our Lady Of Eden Catholic Church, St Michael's Burgh-by-Sands, St. Paul's church, Rusland, St Michaels Church.
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1. St Michael's Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Gooddayahead - Chester, United Kingdom
St Michael’s Church is very much worth a visit if you are in the Solway Firth area. The church is built within what would have been the site of one of the first Roman forts at the Western edge of Hadrian’s Wall so there has been living history here for at least the last 2,000 years. The actual church was built probably on the location of the Roman granary using stone from the fort and/or Hadrian’s Wall. However, what makes the church important is the sense of holiness because it is still very much a centre of active worship today. Unfortunately for the people of Burgh by Sands, the area was very attractive for Scottish cattle thieves – Reivers – and so the church was heavily fortified with a crenellated Pele tower. The idea – and a sound one – was that the church could be defended whilst the animals and non-combatants sheltered inside. With the Reiver clans unwilling to lose family members in fights easier targets were sought. The gun loop holes are still easily visible. However, St Michael’s is most famous for being the place where Edward 1 was laid in state after his death on the banks of the Solway Firth on 7 July, 1307. Edward, “The Hammer of the Scots”, was planning one more campaign north when he died of dysentery after a long stay at Lanercost Priory over the winter of 1306/7. There is a monument to him a few miles away overlooking the Solway Firth. There is a magnificent statue of Edward near to the church, in the local park. It is easily visible from the road as you head towards Port Carlisle. Please note that we have put approximate opening times for the St Michael’s church because Trip Advisor insists on specific hours. “During the day” would be better – and remember that on Sunday religious services are held.
2. Carlisle Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,528 reviews
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.
3. Our Lady Of Eden Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
4. St Michael's Burgh-by-Sands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
5. St. Paul's church, Rusland
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1 reviews
