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Fours hours to wait in Carlisle - any suggestions ?

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General Zod

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Apart form the obvious could anyone suggest something cultural or edifying to eat up a couple of hours ? Going to visit the Cathedral but, unfortunately, I will not have enough time for Hadrians Wall. Anything close by on the Hexham or Cumbrian coast line ? I don't really want to mess about on longish train journeys just in case I miss my scheduled train southwards.

Thanks.
 
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Scooby

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I've vistied Carlisle Castle a couple of times and enjoyed it.

Also, if you have a valid rail ticket, you'll get 25% off admission price. A quick google for Carlisle Castle train ticket discount will get you all the details. Its about a 10 minute walk from Citadel Station
 

krisk

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See if you can get an earlier train. It is like the town that time forgot although you could say that about most places in Cumbria
 

Scooby

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See if you can get an earlier train. It is like the town that time forgot although you could say that about most places in Cumbria

Cumbria & its towns (and only city !) obviously aren't appreciated by everyone, but once you get tuned in to them (& the pace of life), it's an area that a lot of people become very fond of.
 

ex-railwayman

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As well as the Castle & Cathedral in the city there is also the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, it depends on your tastes, it's a beautiful Jacobean House in nice grounds, I suppose having decent weather would be a bonus, but, indoors is spacious, although there may be lots of families and children about, you can Google the Museum and see if it's worth a visit.

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.
 

cle

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See if you can get an earlier train. It is like the town that time forgot although you could say that about most places in Cumbria

Seconded. Horrible place.

Do the obvious and find a decent pub to hole up in.
 

General Zod

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Walk across to the river via Cathedral/castle/museum with a stop at a good pub sounds perfect ! May even get to phot some locos !
 

AJP62

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Last time I was in Tullie House there was some interesting railway material.

Going from the station the Cathederal, Tullie House and the Castle are one after the other along Castle Street. The railway is just to the left of the castle when you get to the dual carriageway.

Also along Castle Street is 'The Boardroom' which was an OK pub last time I was in. My favourite last time I was drinking in Carlisle was the 'Howard Arms' - come back from Cathederal to main Town Hall pedestrian area, cut through 'The Lanes' shopping centre onto Lowther Street and head left and it should be on the left hand side there. Leaving the pub just turn right along Lowther Street, round the Citedal, one of two round sandstone towers in the old city wall after which the station was named, and you're back at the station - 10 mins max.
 

sprinterguy

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See if you can get an earlier train. It is like the town that time forgot although you could say that about most places in Cumbria
Before reading the comments below it, I originally took this post to mean see if you can arrive in Carlisle on an earlier train, to give more time in the city! I'm really quite fond of Carlisle.
 

cuccir

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See if you can get an earlier train. It is like the town that time forgot although you could say that about most places in Cumbria

I can think of many many worse places in the country!

Anyway, I'd support Carlisle Castle as a recommendation - it's a little outdated in its displays, but the stuff on the history of Anglo-Scottish wars in genuinely interesting.

If you're a book fan you could easily spend an hour or so looking round Book Case, which is pretty much opposite the cathedral and the Boardroom pub mentioned above. I'd have no hesitation in describing it is as the best bookshop in Northern England (much better than the overrated Barter Books in Alnwick, for example).
 

IanD

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If there are two of you (or 1 hungry person), sign up for the 2 for 1 meal deal and settle down in The Griffin just outside the station for four hours.
 

142094

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Turn right straight outside the station onto Botchergate and there are two Spoons on the right hand side of the road. Haven't really found a decent real ale place yet. If I was you I'd just have a walk around for a bit.
 

snail

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You could try the Rheged Centre at Penrith.
Lots going on there.
Details at www.reghed.com
You spelt the link wrong. Apart from the time taken to get there and back from the station - it's really geared up for people driving past - I find it an odd place that tries to be a bit of everything and ends up doing nothing. Even getting a quick coffee involves trolling up and down stairs or escalators.
 

Condor7

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You spelt the link wrong. Apart from the time taken to get there and back from the station - it's really geared up for people driving past - I find it an odd place that tries to be a bit of everything and ends up doing nothing. Even getting a quick coffee involves trolling up and down stairs or escalators.

Sorry about that typo.
I guess I saw the link title saying 4 hours, but the message did say a couple of hours, and agreed not easy to do in 2 hours.
They do have some interesting things on sometimes, but it all depends on the day.
 

LesS

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I have just spent a very enjoyable week in Carlisle. I will be going back again for further visits.
There is a large pedestrian plaza about 100 metres from the Citadel. Turn left from the station. Sitting in the sun with a fresh coffee is hard to beat.
Look up the timetables on Northern Trains for the services on the Maryport & Carlisle line.(Barrow-in-Furness timetable) It has some of the best coastal scenery north of Cornwall. You should be able to make a short return trip depending on where the trains cross.
 

6Gman

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Turn right straight outside the station onto Botchergate and there are two Spoons on the right hand side of the road. Haven't really found a decent real ale place yet. If I was you I'd just have a walk around for a bit.

You go to Carlisle to buy cutlery !!

:D
 

extendedpaul

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I took the bus from Carlisle to Bowness-on- Solway. Stagecoach route 93. Not very frequent and you have to come back on the same bus but it's a pleasant and scenic way to spend an hour and a half with some glimpses of Hadrian's Wall.
 

General Zod

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Thanks for all the helpful suggestions everyone !
A very pleasant afternoon indeed. Took in the Citadel, Cathedral and the peripheral views of the Castle. Attempted the circular walk but the wet and muddied footpath was impassable at times so bailed out and watched some cricket at the local ground which neighbours the park. I think the opponents were Shap. Could have forsaken all this and easily spent four hours in the excellent "Book Case" . A fantastic collection of old and contemporary books which could have kept me occupied for days and weeks. A note for cricket fans. They have an excellent collection of Wisden Almanacks going back to 1980 and their cricket collection ( 60s, 70s, 80s,90s) in general is one of the best I've seen, even though it is a tad overpriced.
The raison d'etere of the visit was to take in the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle line. Very pretty indeed. The stretch between Settle and Garsdale / Kirkby Stephen really is beautiful and the stations are wonderfully maintained. Great and noble work by all volunteers and enthusiasts who must put in so much effort behind the scenes. The colour scheme of the stations fits in perfectly and the flower baskets and tubs are lovingly cared for..
On a sad note, I didn't have time to frequent any of the suggested watering holes. However, a foray up the Cumbrian line from Lancaster is duly planned so no doubt I shall endeavour to sample the local brews during the cooler months of the Autumn !
 
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