Holiday Homes in Carlisle

Cumbria's only city, Carlisle stands proudly in the far north of the county, a short hop from the Scottish border and the great sweep of Hadrian's Wall. Often called the Great Border City, it is a compact, history-soaked place shaped by centuries of Anglo-Scottish conflict, and while it lies well to the north of the Lake District, it makes a characterful base for a different side of Cumbria, all castles, cathedrals and Roman frontier.

There is a thousand years of history packed into its streets. Carlisle Castle, begun in 1093, has guarded the border for centuries and once held Mary, Queen of Scots as a prisoner; the medieval cathedral, with its breathtaking stained glass, began life as an Augustinian priory; and the old city walls, the Citadel towers and the medieval Guildhall all reward an afternoon's wandering. Just outside the city, the western reaches of Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, run towards the Solway.

For visitors, Carlisle offers city comforts that the smaller Lakeland towns cannot, with good shopping, plenty to eat and excellent rail links on the West Coast main line and the famous Settle to Carlisle line. The northern Lakes are an easy drive south when you fancy the fells, while the Solway coast and the Scottish Borders beckon in other directions. For a holiday that mixes history, culture and easy access, settle into one of our Carlisle holiday homes.