The Turf Inn, inn in Carlisle, Cumbria, UK
The Turf Inn is a Grade II listed inn in Carlisle built from calciferous sandstone with simple, sturdy 19th-century architecture. The building preserves traditional features including old stone walls, wooden beams, and period details throughout its rooms and public spaces.
Built around 1840 as a hotel for racecourse visitors, the building was expanded in 1874 by architect Daniel Birkett to add more rooms. When the racecourse relocated in 1904, it became a pub with lawn bowls facilities, then fell into disrepair after 1972 before being restored in 1988.
The Turf Inn takes its name from the nearby former racecourse and still carries that connection today. Inside, local photographs and references to Carlisle's racing past remind visitors of how this place served as a gathering spot for the community across generations.
The inn is located on Newark Road near Carlisle's town center and is easily accessible on foot. Its Grade II listing means the interior maintains authentic historic features while offering modern comforts for visitors.
Originally called the Grandstand Hotel, the building operated under a special government control scheme from 1916 to 1971 designed to regulate pubs and ensure they remained open. This unusual management arrangement is a surprising chapter in the building's operational history.
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