Carlise may be the only city in Cumbria, but it’s actually the largest city in England and one of the most popular places to visit in the whole county. It’s located close to the Scottish border and was once the largest settlement on the famous Hadrian’s Wall, part of which can still be found within the city.
As well as the historic remains of Hadrian’s Wall, another key Cumbria tourist attraction in Carlisle is the city’s medieval cathedral, which has been used as a place of worship since 1122. History fans will also love the Citadel that is found on the south side of the city walls, originally built by order of King Henry VIII and open to visitors who join organised tours of the buildings.
Carlisle is a brilliant place in Cumbria to visit if you want to enjoy a great mix of historic and modern attractions, with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars to be found amongst the museums and heritage sites. The city’s size also means that it’s an easy part of the country to reach by public transport, and makes a good base to explore the rest of the area from.