Carlisle Cathedral
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Why go
- The 51-foot east window, with nine lights and intricate tracery.
Opening hours
Today07:30 – 17:00Show all
Don't miss
- East windowMuch of its tracery retains medieval glass, while the main lights contain Victorian glass.At the east end of the choir.
- Choir ceilingLook up at the 14th-century wooden barrel ceiling, restored and repainted by Owen Jones in 1856.Above the choir.
- MisericordsCarvings beneath the hinged seats show saints, apostles, angels, beasts, hybrid creatures and narrative scenes.In the choir stalls.
- Chapel of the Border RegimentThe two surviving nave bays form the chapel. Its memorial by Sir Robert Lorimer dates from 1916.
- Organ pipesLook for the 32-foot façade pipes added in 1875.
Interesting facts4
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46 dark
The choir contains 46 dark-oak stalls with misericords installed in the early 15th century.
Carlisle Cathedral - Wikipedia -
Candle scorch marks suggest monks sometimes fell asleep during services.
Carlisle - Wikivoyage (see) -
1747
A chiming mechanism was installed in 1747; Potts of Leeds installed a new tower clock in 1899.
Carlisle Cathedral - Wikipedia -
The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Kathedrale von Carlisle - Wikipedia
Shorts
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Carlisle Walk Bitts Park, Tullie Museum, Cathedral & Eden Bridge | Ci…Northern Vistas
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Cumbria Graduates 2015 in Carlisle CathedralJacques R
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Carlisle Cathedral: 900 Years of History.Redhand1872_
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Happy New Year from Carlisle CathedralCarlisle Cathedral
History
Dominican and Franciscan friaries were founded nearby in 1233. The monastic buildings were renewed in the 15th and early 16th centuries. After the nave was shortened, its two remaining bays also served as St Mary parish’s church. The organ was restored in 1962 and 1998.
- 1112Carlisle Cathedral began as an Augustinian priory. Athelwold began the church and became its first prior.
- 1133The church became a cathedral, and Athelwold became its first bishop.
- 13th c.The choir was rebuilt in Gothic style. The rebuilding produced a church about 73 metres long and 22 metres high.
- 1292A fire damaged the church, forcing much of the work to restart.
- c.1500The former refectory, now called the Fratry, was rebuilt.
Show all
- 1527The gatehouse through which visitors enter the cathedral close was built.
- After the DissolutionThe cathedral became Anglican.
- 1646Scottish Presbyterian forces demolished part of the nave and reused its stone to strengthen Carlisle Castle.
- 1853–1870Ewan Christian restored the cathedral.
Sources: Carlisle Cathedral - Wikipedia · Carlisle - Wikivoyage (see) · Kathedrale von Carlisle - Wikipedia · Cathédrale de Carlisle - Wikipedia · checked 24 Sep 2026
- Website
- carlislecathedral.org.uk/
- Phone
- +44 1228 548151
Questions and answers
What are misericords at Carlisle Cathedral?
They are shelves beneath hinged choir-stall seats that let monks support themselves during long services.
What is notable about Carlisle Cathedral’s organ?
Henry Willis built the present organ in 1856 and enlarged it in 1875. It moved to its current position in 1930 and was restored in 1962 and 1998. It has 72 stops across four manuals and a pedal.
How large is the east window at Carlisle Cathedral?
It is 51 feet high and 26 feet wide, with nine lights.
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