This article is about the English city. For other Carlisles see Carlisle (disambiguation).

Carlisle is a city in the extreme north west of England, some 10 miles from the border with Scotland in the county of Cumbria. It is part of the City of Carlisle local government district, and acts as the administrative centre for both the district and the county. It was the historic county town of Cumberland.

Carlisle has a compact, historic centre, including a fine castle, unique museum, excellent cathedral, and intact city walls. The law courts are also of architectural interest. If you have a couple of hours to spare while waiting for a connection at its busy main line station it is well worth exploring the centre, which is on its doorstep (many chain stores shops are also to be found nearby).

Because Carlisle was the last English town before the Scottish border, in the days when the two countries were separate kingdoms, it developed importance as a military stronghold, and Carlisle Castle is still relatively intact. Built in 1092 by William Rufus, and having once served as a prison for Mary, Queen of Scots, it still houses the King's Own Border Regiment. Because of the frequently changing position of the Anglo-Scottish border during the Wars of Independence, Carlisle has a distinct Scottish ambience, despite being in England.

Carlisle is an ancient city, and the seat of the diocese to which it gives name. It is situated on a slight rise, in the Cumberland Ward, at the confluence of the rivers Eden, Caldew, and Petteril.

An important centre for trade, it is located 56 miles W of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 71 miles N of Lancaster, 90 miles S of Glasgow, 93 miles SE of Edinburgh, 119 miles NW of York, and 300 miles NNW of London, at 54 deg. 52 min. north latitude, and 2 deg. 50 min. west longitude.

The Tullie House Museum, an award-winning museum, tells the story of the Border country, including much material on Hadrian's Wall, the Roman defensive structure which runs close to the city, and many items of Roman architecture. Tullie House used to house an excellent lending and reference library, but that has now been placed on top of a supermarket in the lanes. (The lanes are Carlisle's main shopping area in the centre of the city). Carlisle cathedral has the largest east window of any cathedral in Europe, but unfortunately the western end of the cathedral was demolished by Oliver Cromwell to shore up the castle. Carlisle also has a first-class racetrack.

The city is linked to the rest of England via the M6 motorway towards the South, and the M74/A74 towards Glasgow and the North. Carlisle is also a principal station on the West Coast main railway line. Carlisle used to have largest train marshalling yard in Europe, now closed.

Carlisle is represented in the Conference National by Carlisle United F.C., after relegation from the old Third Division in the 2003/04 season.