Carlisle is a beautiful city to wander around. Built along the banks of the River Eden, its history dates back to the Iron Age when the Carvetti occupied the Eden Valley. But, of course, it was the Romans who left a substantial mark on Carlisle, not least with Hadrian’s Wall, part of which runs through the city. This gorgeous walk makes use of both Carlisle’s urban and parkland environment, initially following part of the Hadrian’s Wall Path through the Victorian greenery of Rickerby Park and alongside the River Eden, where kingfisher and otter may well be spotted. The route then heads through the city streets, passing a number of striking buildings, including Carlisle Cathedral and Carlisle Castle. The stunning cathedral is one of the smallest in England and was founded in 1122. The castle dates from the medieval era but was also the site of an important fortress during Roman times.
1. START From The Sands car park (NY402565), turn right onto Hardwicke Circus (the A7). Just before Eden Bridge, bear right and descend a walkway into Rickerby Park. At the River Eden (NY401565), turn right and follow a path to a fork. Go left down some steps onto the Hadrian’s Wall Path. A grassy path heads northeast alongside the River Eden with a golf course to the right. It is a beautiful, tranquil spot dotted with mature woodland. Keep along the path, which soon swings right and continues southeast. In due course, it reaches a track beside a sign for Dukes Road (NY407565). Bear left onto the track then keep left at a fork onto a cycle/walkway. Keep along the river until you reach the Memorial Bridge (NY411564), which opened in 1922.
2. Turn left to cross the bridge and the River Eden. Once through a gate, go left onto a waymarked path and follow this along the north bank of the river. Once past a car park and through a gate, continue to reach the striking five-arched Eden Bridge (NY401566), pictured, which dates from 1815.
3. Turn right to reach a gate. Don’t go through, instead walk right and follow a raised path along the left edge of the park. Keep straight on at a fork and then pass a large white house. Beyond a gate, turn right onto a park access road, then – just before the car park that was passed earlier – bear right and continue along a path to reach the impressive cenotaph (NY409569), erected in 1922. Turn right and follow a path to re-cross the Memorial Bridge. Go right and retrace your steps back to the Dukes Road sign.
4. Turn left onto a grassy path and make your way past school playing fields to reach Newark Terrace. Go left, then swing right along Dukes Road back to Hardwicke Circus. Turn right, then descend through a beautifully artworked underpass beneath the A7. Go straight on, taking the City Centre exit. Keep straight ahead along Rickergate onto pedestrianised Scotch Street. At the Old Town Hall (now the Tourist Information Centre) turn right onto English Street, which then becomes Castle Street, to reach the magnificent Carlisle Cathedral (NY399559). The impressive grounds are very much worth exploring. Follow Castle Street to gain Castle Way, opposite the substantial remains of Carlisle Castle. Do not cross Castle Way (it is extremely heavy with traffic). Instead, turn left and keep along onto Bridge Street, then cross at the traffic lights. Turn right and walk back to the castle.
5. Turn left onto Devonshire Walk (NY396561) and follow the pavement as it swings right. Continue along the roadside verge, turning left into Bitts Park. Walk through a car park, then, after a gatepost, turn right and follow a path past a large monument of Queen Victoria. At a crossroads, bear right out of Bitts Park and descend a walkway back through the underpass. Take the Sands Centre exit and climb the steps back to the start.