Carlisle Vacations: What To Do When You Stay in Carlisle

The city of Carlisle is the largest of all settlements that you will find in Cumbria, England. Along with being the administrative centre for the city and the County of Cumbria, it also houses the main campus for the University of Cumbria. A vacation in Carlise is ideal for anyone who wants to find out more about this ancient city.

It's really easy to get to Carlisle from almost anywhere in the UK. The city is well linked with the rest of the country. The M6 motorway provides easy access to the South of England whilst the M74 motorway provides good links with Scotland. Especially in the busy morning and evening rush hours, it may pay you to leave the car at your hotel.

If you do not intend driving to the city then there are regular train services that come directly in to its railway station. Trains not only arrive from London, but also from Newcastle, Leeds and Glasgow. However, the train that comes from Glasgow does come via the town of Dumfries.

When you actually arrive in the city for your vacation, there is plenty of things for one to do and see whilst staying there. One of the main attractions of Carlisle is the historic cathedral.

Since it was built over nine hundred years ago, the castle has marked the western edge of the city and is close to the border between England and Scotland. Since it was first built, it has been witness to many conflicts and sieges and yet today you can explore the chambers, stairways and dungeons that remain. The legendary "Licking Stones" can be found in the dungeons. Legend has it that Jacobite prisoners were so thirsty that they would lick the stones in an effort to get some water to help keep them alive.

As for the Cathedral this was founded in 1122 and remains a dominate feature of the city's skyline when you look from anywhere across the city. The crypt's decoration is exquisite. If you take the time to actually go into the crypy, you'll be greeted by a display that covers over a thousand years of Christian history throughout Cumbria.

For those looking to liven up their visit to Carlisle, you should time your trip to coincide with one of the regular race meetings. The racecourse is located on the outskirts of the town and is set in beautiful countryside and this is why the course undulates somewhat. Carlisle racecourse is home to top class horseracing. These encompass the National Hunt season (which runs from September through to April) as well as the Flat season (from April until August).

Carlisle vacations are ideal for those who are looking for a quiet romantic time away with their partner. But they are also the place for families who are looking for a little adventure and fun during their Carlisle holiday.