Carlisle castle was again at the fore front of hostilities during the second Jacobite rising against George II of Great Britain in 1745

Carlisle Castle is situated in Cumbria, England and is over 900 years old. Due to its close proximity to the border between England and Scotland, it has been at the heart of many wars and invasions.

Carlisle Castle was first built by William II of England, the son of William the Conqueror who invaded England in 1066. At that time, Cumberland (the original name for Cumbria) was still considered a part of Scotland. When William II arrived he drove the Scots out of Cumberland and claimed the region for England. Soon after in 1093, William went about building a Norman style motte and bailey castle in the town of Carlisle on the site of an old Roman fort. Carlisle Castle was built to fulfill the need to keep the northern border of England secure against the threat of invasion from Scotland. In 1122, Henry I of England gave orders for the old Norman castle to be replaced by a stone castle and a stone keep and walls erected.

The Scots didn’t take to kindly to being evicted from their lands and over the next 700 years the city of Carlisle and its castle would be fought over, with its ownership changing hands many times through out the course of the centuries. The first attempt began during the troubled reign of Stephen of England. The Scottish King, David captured the town, exploiting the domestic troubles of England. It was he who completed the walls and stone keep. However the English seized back the city and castle several years later.

In 1568, Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned within the castle and during the English Civil War in 1644, the castle was besieged by Parliament forces which lasted 8 months.

Carlisle castle was again at the fore front of hostilities during the second Jacobite rising against George II of Great Britain in 1745. The forces of Prince Charles traveled south from Scotland, reaching as far as Derby. Carlisle castle was overwhelmed and fortified by the Jacobites. This occupation didn’t last long and the Jacobites were driven north by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and the son of George II. Carlisle was recaptured and the Jacobites were jailed and executed. This marked the end of the castle's fighting life, as defending the border between England and Scotland was not necessary as both countries were now one in Great Britain. Some parts of the castle were then demolished for use as raw materials.

Tourist Information

Opening Times:

29 Mar-30 Sep, daily, 0930-1800

1 Oct-31 Oct, daily 1000-1700

1 Nov-31 Mar, daily 1000-1600

Closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan 2003

Admission Price:

Adults: £3.20

Children: £2.40

Concessions: £1.60