Explore the UK
Lake District & Carlisle
Carlisle is an ancient city tracing its heritage back to Roman times when it was situated at the western end of Hadrian’s Wall which ran from Newcastle along what was the English Scottish border. Because Carlisle was sometimes the last English town before the Scottish border, and sometimes the last Scottish town before the English border, in the days when the two countries were separate kingdoms, it developed importance as a military stronghold, and Carlisle Castle is still relatively intact and is worth visiting, conducted tours are available. Built in 1092 by William Rufus, the castle once served as a prison for Mary, Queen of Scots. Carlisle is well situated between the English lakes and the Scottish Borders right on the M6 motorway to England and the M74/A74 through Western Scotland.
There is still a significant amount of industry in Carlisle and famous firms that were founded or had factories in Carlisle included Carr's of Carlisle (now part of United Biscuits), Kangol, Metal Box (now part of Crown Cork and Seal). The Carr's and Metal Box factories are still going. The construction firm of John Laing and the hauliers Eddie Stobart Ltd. were also founded in the city. There are various light industrial estates and business parks located on the fringes of the city and on former industrial sites close to the city centre.
Carlisle also became a major railway centre with at one time 7 different companies using Carlisle Citadel railway station the city also used to have the largest railway marshaling yard in Europe at Kingmoor although this is now closed. One of the best known routes from Carlisle railway station is the Settle to Carlisle line passing over the famous Ribblehead Viaduct, perhaps the most famous Victorian structure in the northern part of the country.
Because of its proximity to the Lake District, Carlisle is an ideal place to visit or to stay and access the area down the M6. The Lake District is one of the most visited places in the whole of the United Kingdom and when considers the beauty and attractions of the area it is not surprising. From the mountains, or Fells as they are known locally, to the major lakes, some thirteen in all, visitors flock to the Lake District and enjoy the cafes and restaurants, walking paths, stunning views and the most enjoyable pubs with anything from a simple sandwich to excellent bar meals. Kendal is the walking centre of the Lake District and the market town of Cockermouth offers good accommodation, art craft and book shops, and of course the home of William Wordsworth. Perhaps the most well know lake and certainly one of the most visited is Windermere and boat trips feature heavily on most people’s itinerary when visiting, but it has to be said that Coniston and Ullswater are just as well known and heavily visited.
Because the area is a magnet to visitors from all over the United Kingdom and abroad, there is no shortage of accommodation of every description in the Lakes area, restaurants and cafes are many and varied too. It is no surprise that people return to the Lake District year upon year.
