Carlisle Castle, Medieval castle in Carlisle, England
Carlisle Castle is a fortress in northwestern England featuring massive stone walls, a Norman keep, and defensive towers positioned around its fortified compound. The grounds contain various buildings from different periods, showing how the stronghold evolved over centuries.
William II founded the original fortress in 1092 after defeating local leader Dolfin, building it on the remains of a Roman fort. The structure played a key role in border conflicts between England and Scotland over many centuries.
The castle walls hold medieval scratches and carvings left by prisoners during conflicts between England and Scotland. These marks tell stories of people held here who etched their thoughts into the stone.
The site is open to visitors and offers guided tours plus information about medieval military architecture. It is helpful to check ahead before arriving to see if interior spaces are available, as certain areas may sometimes be closed.
The fortress endured an eight-month parliamentary siege in 1644 during the English Civil War, leading to the surrender of Royalist forces. This event left marks on the structure and history of the place that visitors can still trace today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
