![Carlisle United]] 2 - 1 Oxford United. At Brunton Park on september 26th, 1981. Trevor Swinbourne is the goalkeeper.](https://prod-images.planyourroadtrips.com/img/city-images/carlisle-gb-548951--29382/2-Brunton_Park__Carlisle_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1224036.jpg?w=1080&q=80&f=webp)
ancient ruins
Birdoswald Roman Fort
A Hadrian's Wall fort above the Irthing gorge, with the longest continuous stretch of surviving wall alongside it.
24 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Carlisle
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Carlisle
Carlisle is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Scotby, 31km from Hartside Pass (A686).
Carlisle is in England, United Kingdom, with about 78,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Scotby, about 4 km away.
Carlisle ( kar-LYLE, locally KAR-lyle; from the Cumbric: Caer Luel) is a city located in the Cumberland district of Cumbria, England. It is the largest settlement and only city in Cumbria. In 2021, it had a population of 77,730.
Carlisle was founded as a Roman settlement called Luguvalium to serve forts alongRead more
Hadrian's Wall, though it may have earlier origins. Nicknamed the 'Great Border City' due to its proximity to Scotland (being located eight miles or thirteen kilometres south of the current Anglo-Scottish border), the city and its castle became an important military stronghold in the Middle Ages. The castle served as a prison for Mary, Queen of Scots in 1568 and currently hosts the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and the Border Regiment Museum. A priory was built in the early 12th century, which subsequently became Carlisle Cathedral in 1133 on the creation of the Diocese of Carlisle. As the seat of a diocese, Carlisle therefore gained city status. Carlisle also served as the county town of the historic county of Cumberland from the county's creation in the 12th century.
In the 19th century, the introduction of textile manufacture during the Industrial Revolution began a process of socioeconomic transformation in Carlisle, which developed into a densely populated mill town. This, combined with its strategic position, allowed for the development of Carlisle as an important railway town, with seven railway companies sharing Carlisle railway station.
Where to Stay in Carlisle
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Carlisle?
Within an hour or so of Carlisle: Birdoswald Roman Fort (24 km), Hartside Cafe (28 km), Hartside Pass (28 km), Hartside Pass (A686) (31 km).
Are there any good drives near Carlisle?
The nearest famous roads are Hartside Pass, Whinlatter Pass (B5292) and B6318 Military Road (Hadrian's Wall).
Where is Carlisle?
Carlisle is in England, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Scotby.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 78,470
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 54.8951, -2.9382
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Carlisle
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
cafe
Hartside Cafe
A remote hilltop cafe at 1,904 feet on the A686 in Cumbria, one of England's highest road cafes and a bucket-list stop for bikers.
28 km · about 35 min drive
mountain pass
Hartside Pass
The A686's grand sweep over the North Pennines between Penrith and Alston, climbing to 580m through wide hairpins with views across the Eden Valley to the Lake District fells. A celebrated drivers' and bikers' road.
28 km · about 35 min drive
famous road
Hartside Pass (A686)
Voted one of Britain's best drives - a sweeping climb to 580m out of the Eden Valley with a panorama to the Lake District and the Solway.
31 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
Bassenthwaite Lake
Strictly the only body of water in the National Park called a 'lake', lying beneath Skiddaw and known for its ospreys.
32 km · about 35 min drive
ancient ruins
Castlerigg Stone Circle
A 5,000-year-old stone circle set on a fell with a 360-degree mountain panorama, free and roadside near Keswick.
34 km · about 40 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Ullswater
The Lake District's second-largest lake, with Wordsworth's daffodils at Glencoyne and 1930s steamers running its length.
35 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
Keswick
The main town of the northern Lake District, on the shore of Derwentwater beneath Skiddaw, with a Georgian Moot Hall at its centre.
35 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Carlisle
12 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- 28 kmHartside PassThe A686's grand sweep over the North Pennines between Penrith and Alston, climbing to 580m through wide hairpins with views across the Eden Valley to the Lake District fells. A celebrated drivers' and bikers' road.
- 31 kmHartside Pass (A686)Voted one of Britain's best drives - a sweeping climb to 580m out of the Eden Valley with a panorama to the Lake District and the Solway.
- 35 kmUllswaterThe Lake District's second-largest lake, with Wordsworth's daffodils at Glencoyne and 1930s steamers running its length.
- 36 kmWhinlatter Pass (B5292)The forested pass between Braithwaite and Lorton, England's only true mountain forest road, gentler than its Lakeland neighbours.
- 37 kmSteel RiggA car park and viewpoint on the Whin Sill giving the classic switchback view of Hadrian's Wall towards Sycamore Gap.
- 38 kmDerwentwaterA serene island-studded lake beside Keswick, perfect for a lakeside drive, launch cruise and the Surprise View overlook.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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