Carlisle Accommodation
Carlisle Castle where Mary Queen of Scots was once imprisoned
St Lawrence Church, Appleby. Anne Clifford is buried here.
Alston Moor, popular with bikers!
The Fellsman Steam Railway Journey along the Settle to Carlisle Railway Line
Carlisle & East Cumbria Tourist Information
Welcome to one of the most historic cities in the UK, Carlisle. You'd expect little else from a Scotch-English border city. Carlisle was of course a Roman stronghold. If you held Carlisle in the past you could achieve influence in both England and Scotland. Discover more on the history of Carlisle, Hadrian's Wall and surround Roman forts at the superb central Carlisle located Tullie House Museum. The Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail stretches for 84 miles from Wallsend on the Tyne to Bowness-on-Solway, and links into 43 smaller walks.
» Find Attractions in Carlisle
The Eden Valley area where the Northern Pennines meets the Lake District is an area still largely undiscovered. Good news if you like it peaceful and less tourist rich than areas like Ambleside and Windermere. You'll discover market towns like Kirkby Stephen and Appleby with a rich history, crammed with castles, old churches and on the contemporary side some superb specialist shops, real ale pubs and inns and exquisite restaurants. Great Walking country as well and rather popular with the bikers so I've heard!
Featured Lake District Accommodation
The Mardale Inn - Bampton
A cosy 18th Century Lake District Inn offering 4 star B&B accommodation in the picturesque village of Bampton, in the Lowther Valley, near Haweswater
£35 to £45 Per person B&B
Carlisle Attractions
Combined with a rich Roman History, Carlisle has a contemporary vibrancy all it's own. Lots of fantastic shopping, a choice of restaurants, bars and cafes, a superb central museum and art gallery, and a striking cathedral. Move out to the border lands and discover Roman Forts, a 12th Century Augustinian priory and superb surround border countryside.
Carlisle Tourist Information Centre, Old Town Hall, Greenmarket, Carlisle Tel: 01228 625600.
Appleby in Westmoreland Breaks
Two words come to mind on a visit to ancient market town Appleby, idyllic and charming, and real ale pubs supreme, fantastic. Appleby was once the County Town of Westmorland, and has many buildings of historic interest.
This Eden Valley beauty spot is also conveniently a stop on the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway, so easily accessible both by rail and just a quick hop over from the M6.
Kirkby Stephen Holidays
Kirkby Stephen is right at the centre of the Eden Valley, easily accessed off the M6 via the A66 or the A686. Again you will find Kirkby Stephen another charming market town in this area, with a market square encased by ancient collar of cobblestones, apparently bull baiting was once a popular sport on these cobblestones.
Many buildings have real historical significance, such as the Clisters built in 1810, which once served as a butter market. Check out Croglam Castle on the southern edge of the town which has examples of prehistoric earth works as well.
Hadrian's Wall
Truly a national treasure, Hadrian's Wall is rather old. The project was embarked upon nearly 200 years ago, in AD 122 to be precise by the Emperor Hadrian. The point of it was to mark the northern boundary of Roman Britain with a wall. Walls have been
Hadrian's Wall was fortified, and it served to contain warring tribes behind it for well over 350 years. Fortunately much of it has been preserved, and parts of Hadrian's Wall are still visible on the line of it stretching from Wallsend in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west. You can also visit many fortifications along the west coast to Ravenglass (there's a Roman Bath in Ravenglass as well).
A top tip is to follow the best road, the B6318 as well as the A68 which follows the main original Roman supply road route from the south to Edinburgh.
Alston Things To Do
Alston has a rather special history, and just happens to sit at the crossroads of no less than five historic trans-Pennine routes, all of which wind through stunning countryside and four of which reach heights of 2,000 feet. Get ready for panoramic views of the North Pennines and Lakeland in the distance.
The Fellsman Steam Railway, Settle to Carlisle Line
Great news for steam railway fans, particularly the historic 'Settle to Carlisle' line!
A variety of steam engines will be used for the return journey including the LMS Royal Scot Class 46115 'Scots Guardsman' and more good news is that pick ups now depart from Lancaster, Preston, Bamber Bridge, Blackburn and Clitheroe.
The all-inclusive return journey travels for 260 miles through some of Britain's most spectacular scenery, taking in the famous Victorian arched Ribblehead viaduct. Time is also available for sightseeing at either Carlisle or Appleby.
For more details on train times departing from Lancaster, Preston, Bamber Bridge, Blackburn and Clitheroe see www.statesmanrail.com, which also gives more information on this famous railway line. Tickets are very reasonably priced and great value family tickets are also available. Discounts apply if you book online.
Featured Lake District Accommodation
The Mardale Inn - Bampton
A cosy 18th Century Lake District Inn offering 4 star B&B accommodation in the picturesque village of Bampton, in the Lowther Valley, near Haweswater
£35 to £45 Per person B&B