Visit The Small, Red & Gothic Carlisle Cathedral in Cumbria

Carlisle Cathedral in Cumbria is a lovely church building to visit or see from the outside. We passed through the Carlisle Cathedral grounds a few times for dog walks and once inside.

One of the best times to see the outside is as the sun is going down. For me, this is one of the must-see tourist attractions in Carlisle.

Carlisle Cathedral History

Originally, Carlisle Cathedral was an Augustinian priory and was later designated a cathedral in 1133. This was built during the reign of King Henry I. It is roughly 900 years old and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It is the second-smallest of the ancient cathedrals in England and is a Grade I-listed building.

Architecture of Carlisle Cathedral

Architecturally, the cathedral is both Norman and Gothic. Notable features include figurative stone carvings and medieval choir stalls. It also has the largest example of a window in decorated Gothic style in England.

Carlisle Cathedral’s distinctive colour is due to its construction from red sandstone. This is discoloured in parts and looks black. The building also suffered subsidence, which means parts lean.

What To See Inside

Blue Ceiling With Angels & Stars

One of the most eye-catching features was the ceiling inside the nave. It is blue with stars, which dates from the restoration in 1853-1856. Owen Jones, a decorative artist from that era, created this.

To help visitors enjoy the details of the ceiling without craning their necks, a mirror is strategically placed.

The East Window

The east window is the most notable feature inside. The stained-glass window dates from 1350 and is over 50 ft high. They have recently restored the window; some of the original glass survives.

You can see it from both inside and out; it is best seen on a sunny day to appreciate the light brightening it up. The beautiful window depicts the life of Christ, with some familiar stories when you look up close.

Brougham Triptych

In one of the side chapels, there is an altar called the Brougham Triptych. They made this in Antwerp around 1520, and it bears the trademark of the Antwerp Guild of Woodcarvers. The altarpiece portrays Christ’s passion and includes his infancy and resurrection. Behind the Brougham Triptych, there is a stained-glass window. The Brougham Triptych is a beautiful piece, and a multimedia exhibit about it is next to the chapel.

Salkeld Screen

Another fantastic wood feature inside is the Salkeld Screen. It has the initials of Lancelot Salkeld, who was Dean of Carlisle in 1541. The Salkeld Screen also has the arms of Henry VIII, who died in 1547. Its design has detailed carvings of 12 heads, with six on each side. Most of the carvings of people bear some relation to Henry VIII.

The Treasury Exhibition

Downstairs in the cathedral is the fascinating Treasury Exhibition. This contains artefacts from throughout the diocese. An artefact that caught my eye was the Tudor-era helmet.

An archaeological dig here also found some Viking graves. The museum also tells the story of Christianity in Cumbria from the early days to the present day.

High Altar

As with most church buildings, the high altar is the focal point. The high altar is beautiful too. It has a gilt canopy, which is quite modern. Sir Charles Nicholson designed this. He carried out refurbishments to several cathedrals during his life between 1867 and 1949.

Cathedral Gardens

The cathedral precinct or gardens are beautiful with flowerbeds and other Gothic stone features.

The grounds also have other smaller buildings connected to the cathedral. You are also welcome to enjoy a picnic on one of the many benches in the gardens. Alternatively, you can get refreshments at the cathedral cafe.

Gatehouse

Another interesting and historic detail is the gatehouse. They built the gatehouse in 1528 using the local red sandstone, which is the same colour as the main cathedral. This gate controlled access to the site.

Fratry

Another nice Gothic building is the Fratry. In medieval times, the Fratry was the dining hall of the Cathedral Priory. It has had various uses during its 900-year history. This includes being used as a kitchen, a place of worship, an arsenal for the King’s Army, a chapter house, a brewery and a granary. They have plans afoot to turn it into an event and exhibition space.

Cathedral Lodge Antiques

Cathedral Lodge Antiques is a small shop that buys and sells antiques in the old verger’s house. Inside you can browse and purchase antiques, collectables, fine art & jewellery. They also stock old Victorian and Georgian furniture. You can find out more on their website.

Cathedral Cafe

On the site of a former medieval cloister is the Cathedral Cafe. They serve homemade food, cakes and a variety of coffees. I enjoyed a coronation chicken sandwich. This was with a bottle of local beer from the Carlisle Brewing Co.

Entrance Fee & Opening Times

Entry to Carlisle Cathedral is free for everyone; they suggest a donation. This is to help preserve and maintain the building for the future. They open every day at 7:30 am and close at 6:30 on weekdays. At the weekend, they close earlier at 5 pm.

Is Carlisle Cathedral Worth Visiting?

Overall, Carlisle Cathedral is a fantastic place to visit and is quite engaging. It’s well worth visiting, as the building is beautiful, and it has an interesting history. It is one of my favourite cathedrals in England thus far.