The Best Hotels And BBs To Book In Carlisle Cumbria

Few English cities combine history and jaw-dropping landscapes like Carlisle in Cumbria. The ribbon-like lakes and imperious mountains of the Lake District are not far away, while it borders the Solway Coast and North Pennines areas of outstanding natural beauty. And for historical sites? Head to Carlisle Castle and nearby Hadrian’s Wall. See it all with a warm welcome from the top hotels and B&Bs in Carlisle, England, bookable on Culture Trip.

1. Crown & Mitre Hotel

Hotel

Dating back to 1905, the Crown & Mitre blends Edwardian grandeur – including a real log fire and a sweeping staircase – with all mod cons. History buffs, take note – the hotel is built on the site of the Crown & Mitre coffee house, which played a role in the Jacobite rising of 1745. The landlord at the time gave shelter to rebels entering the city.

2. The Halston

Hotel

As you’d expect from a hotel housed in a former General Post Office building, the Halston in Carlisle delivers. The slick, Scandi-style rooms at this aparthotel come with a kitchen and living area, with chef-quality meals available for you to heat up. If that’s not enough, there are two fine restaurants on-site – Penny Blue, with its sharing platters, and Bartons Yard, a great spot for a leisurely brunch or afternoon tea.

3. Willowbeck Lodge

Hotel

Everything at Willowbeck Lodge in Carlisle is designed to get you closer to nature. The hotel is surrounded by a lush garden, while its restaurant is in a spacious conservatory overlooking a pond. The comfy rooms, with Egyptian cotton bedding, are all named after trees in the garden – Willow, Ash, Beech, Oak, Hazel, Maple and Larch – while the Lodge’s eco credentials are boosted by an electric vehicle charging point.

5. Dalston Hall Hotel

Hotel

Historic Dalston Hall has seen a lot over the last 500 years, from secret love inscriptions to smoke signals sent from its impressive pele tower. The Grade II-listed building retained all its historic charm after being turned into a hotel, with a high-vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows in the East Tower room, and a bathroom and bedroom on different levels in the West Tower.

6. Warwick Lodge

Hotel

The family-run Warwick Lodge, in Carlisle, subscribes to the notion that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eat like the locals by tucking into a legendary Cumbrian breakfast of sausages, bacon, egg, mushrooms and tomatoes. The hotel’s quiet, convenient location – on a road five minutes off the M6 – makes it ideal for exploring the Cumbrian and Borders countryside.

7. Brooklyn House Bed and Breakfast

Bed and Breakfast

In the heart of Carlisle, Brooklyn House is a perfect spot for exploring the city. Drop by the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery for its Natural History Dome, head over to the 14th-century Guildhall Museum, or give the kids a day they’ll never forget among the alpacas, donkeys and reindeer of Walby Farm Park. And don’t forget your rod and bait – the New Mills Trout Fishing Park is just round the corner.

8. Heather Glen Country House

Hotel

High above the gorgeous Eden Valley, about halfway between Carlisle and Penrith, Heather Glen Country House is your gateway to the staggeringly beautiful Lake District. Rooms have striking interiors, including floral wallpaper and golden throw pillows. You can also stay in the self-catering Silverdell Cottage, where the views from the kitchen sink are so amazing, you’ll be volunteering to do the washing up.

9. The Fox and Pheasant Inn

Inn

The friendliest of village inns in the Eden Valley, the thoroughly English-sounding Fox and Pheasant offers a cosy place to stay and a fantastic place to eat. Some of the rooms come with stunning views of the River Eden. Get a real taste of local cuisine at the restaurant by ordering the steak and ale pie, Cumberland sausage, or a bowl of home-made soup.

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