English Heritage

One of the most besieged castles in England, Carlisle Castle guarded the wild western end of the Anglo-Scottish border for hundreds of years.

After surviving seven sieges by the Scots between 1174 and 1461, it was adapted for artillery and, in 1568, held Mary Queen of Scots prisoner. You can explore the Tudor battery, the 12th-century gatehouse and the recently conserved keep, which has intriguing 15th-century carvings on its second floor.

The castle was operational well into the 20th century. Today it hosts Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, exploring the Border Regiment’s 300-year history. English Heritage members get free entry to the museum. Check cumbriasmuseumofmilitarylife.org for details.