Carlisle

10:39am Tuesday 17th April 2007

CARLISLE, one of Britain's oldest cities, has, in recent years faced several major hurdles.

But this proud border settlement is bouncing back.

With 2,000 years of border history behind it, Carlisle has no shortage of atmosphere to soak up, and the museums, galleries, castle, cathedral and gardens are all testament to this.

But it is also a truly 21st Century city, with excellent shopping facilities, cafés, bustling streets and easy access, both from the motorway, and via the train network.

The city's Sands Centre is the place to go for shows as diverse as opera, theatre, ballet, orchestras, pop and comedy, as well as a range of sports, recreation and health and fitness activities.

For more adventurous souls, or lovers of the outdoors, the mountains of the northern lakes, and Hadrian's Wall, are also on the doorstep.

Main Attractions...

Carlisle Cathedral, which was founded in 1122, has beautiful stained glass, and the treasury holds a display of silver and treasures which illustrates the story of Christians in Cumbria through the centuries. 01228-548151.

The Castle has everything you would expect, including dungeons, and the well-known "licking stones" which provided much-needed sustenance for Jacobite prisoners. There are guided tours and the building is home to the Border Regiment Museum. Telephone 01228-591922.

With flat race meetings throughout the year, you can enjoy a day at the races at Carlisle Racecourse. For details, call 01228-554700.

Visit the award-winning Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery and experience the main attraction of the story of the marauding Border Reivers. The art gallery has contemporary pieces while old Tullie House boasts works including paintings and drawings by the Pre-Raphaelites. Telephone 01228-534781.

And if it's wet Take a peak in the Guildhall Museum in Green Market, the meeting place of the old trade guilds. Dating from 1405, it is one of Carlisle's oldest buildings, and much of the original exposed timberwork can be seen. Telephone 01228-534781.

Walks...

Long - Take in a section of the ancient ruins of Hadrian's Wall. Birdoswald Roman Fort, near Brampton, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside and a unique taste of how the legionnaires lived their lives on the frontier of Roman Britain. Telephone 016977-47602.

Short - One of the oldest nature reserves in the country, Kingmoor Nature Reserve South provides the most accessible way into Carlisle's countryside, via the award-winning access path. Kingmoor Wood is part of the reserve and is the largest and oldest woodland in the city. For details, call 01228-817368.

Events...

Carlisle and Borders Spring Show, Victoria Park and Bitts Park, Sunday, April.

Haltwhistle Walking Festival -spring event.

Cumberland County Show, Rickerby Park, Carlisle, Saturday, July.

For more information...

Carlisle Tourist Information Centre at The Old Town Hall, 01228-625600.

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