Carlisle is a modern city with a traditional feel that is popular with visitors, locals and tourists alike.

As you would expect from the largest city in Cumbria, Carlisle has everything visitors could hope for.

Bustling shops and busy streets can be found alongside historic buildings, foremost of which is the castle. Cafes and restaurants tempt the hungry visitor inside, while attractions like the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery are not to be missed.

As well as being the county town of Cumbria, Carlisle is home to well-known businesses like United Biscuits, and a football team that inspires ardent support, even when it fares badly, as it did this season, dropping out of the football league.

Carlisle is easily accessible, as it lies on the West Coast Main Line, and also has rail links to Newcastle, West Cumbria and the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway.

Main Attractions

The Castle has everything you would expect, including dungeons, and the well-known "licking stones" which provided much-needed sustenance for Jacobite prisoners. There are guided tours, and a gift shop, and the building is home to the Border Regiment Museum.

View the beautiful east window and soak up the sense of history at Carlisle Cathedral, where there are many historical points of interest. You can also have a bite to eat in the Prior's Kitchen.

Travel back through time at the award- winning Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery and experience the main attraction of the story of the marauding Border Reivers. The art gallery has contemporary pieces while old Tullie House boasts works including paintings and drawings by the Pre-Raphaelites.

And if it's wet...

Pay a visit to the Sands Centre, which hosts opera, theatre, ballet, orchestras, pop and comedy, as well as a range of sports, recreation and health and fitness activities.

Walks

Short - Try the Carlisle city and Rickerby Park walk, which includes the castle, cathedral and Tullie House Museum. Contact the TIC for information.

Long - You probably won't want to walk all 73 miles of Hadrian's Wall but a section of it would be enjoyable. Try Carlisle to Talkin Tarn at five miles, or from Talkin Tarn to Haltwhistle at six miles.

Events for 2004

"Pop 2 the Park", Pop Festival August 8 Cologne Orchestra August 15 Great Food Fair, Friday, August 27 - Monday 30 August.

For more information

Carlisle Tourist Information Centre at The Old Town Hall, 01228-625600www.historic-carlisle.org.uk