Parking at the castle itself is only available for disabled visitors, but there are several car parks nearby in the city centre. These are sign-posted and charged-for (not managed by English Heritage). Devonshire Walk car park (CA3 8UL) is next to the castle (not managed by English Heritage).

The shop sells a selection of snacks including crisps, cold drinks, confectionery and ice cream. There is a café in Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, located in the grounds of the castle, open April to October. 

You are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the Outer Ward. Please take any rubbish home.

Shop selling a wide range of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs - from books and dressing-up clothes, to jewellery and tapestries.

We have male, female and accessible toilet facilities on site.

Dogs on leads are welcome but are not allowed in the new exhibition or Military Museum. Assistance dogs welcome across the site.

Cumbria's Museum of Military Life sits inside the grounds of Carlisle Castle and follows the same opening times of the castle. The museum tells the 300 year story of the Border Regiment and The Kings Own Royal Border Regiment and its soldiers' past and present. Admission to the museum is included with your ticket to Carlisle Castle.

Fascinating exhibition about the history of Carlisle Castle. This highlights key moments and stories from the castle’s history, including a reconstruction graphic of its original Norman Keep; its role in Anglo-Scottish border warfare; the Civil War and Jacobite Rising sieges and the fortress’s long connection with the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment. It is wheelchair accessible. There is also an interactive audio-visual display allowing visitors to explore the castle.

Baby Changing Facilities

Baby changing facilities are available in the female toilets.

Push Chairs Allowed

Pushchairs are allowed, but please note that the number of stairs can make it awkward to move them around the site.

Sling Loan

No

Toy / Dressing Up Box

Book box in the Warden's Apartments and a dressing-up basket in the new exhibition.

The entrance to the castle is for motorists as well as pedestrians. Visitors are asked to take care when entering and leaving the castle.

English Heritage welcomes amateur photographers to our sites and we hope you will share your pictures of your visit with us on social media.

If you are looking to use one of our sites for commercial, corporate or professional photography or as a filming location, please contact our filming team as soon as possible to check availability and acquire the relevant permissions and paperwork.

Due to the delicate nature of our sites, English Heritage does not permit drone flying from or over sites in our care, except by contractors or partners undertaking flights for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances and permissions, and are operating under controlled conditions.