Carlisle is the largest city in Cumbria with a population of 103,102. The city is built on the site of a Roman military outpost of Luguvallium and the remains of Hadrian's Wall run through the area.

Carlisle Castle was built in 1092 at the confluence of the rivers Caldew and Eden. The castle became a key defensive point during the battles between the English and the Scots.

Today the town is an important road and rail transport centre, close to the M6 motorway and on the West Coast Mainline connecting England and Scotland.


Looking west towards Carlisle over the M6 motorway.