Carlisle Castle
Carlisle, Cumbria
One of the most besieged castles in England, with open grass inside the curtain wall for your dog, in the middle of Carlisle.
Carlisle Castle guarded the wild western end of the Anglo-Scottish border for centuries and has the scars to show for it. It survived seven Scottish sieges between 1174 and 1461, was adapted for artillery, and in 1568 held Mary Queen of Scots prisoner. It stayed operational well into the 20th century.
Whilst you explore the Tudor battery, the 12th century gatehouse and the conserved keep, where the second floor carries intriguing 15th century carvings cut by prisoners, your dog has a solid walled city castle with open grass inside the curtain wall and plenty of ground between the buildings. Cumbria's Museum of Military Life is also here, covering 300 years of the Border Regiment, and English Heritage members enter free.
Dogs on leads are welcome but not in the Military Museum café, with assistance dogs welcome across the site. Parking at the castle is for disabled visitors only, so everyone else uses the city centre car parks and walks in. There is a shop, toilets, exhibition and picnic seating.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs on leads are welcome but are not allowed in the Military Museum café. Assistance dogs welcome across the site.
- Site Type
- Medieval & Tudor
- Entry
- £15.30 adult
- £7.65 child · £38.25 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Exhibition, Museum, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
- Telephone
- 01228 591922
- Parking
- 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).
English Heritage Membership
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Entry here is £15.30 for an adult. English Heritage Membership covers it, along with free entry to 170+ dog friendly attractions across England.
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carlisle Castle dog friendly?
Yes, dogs on leads are welcome throughout most of the castle grounds, including the open grass inside the curtain wall and the spaces between the historic buildings. The one exception is the Military Museum café, which is off-limits to dogs, though assistance dogs are welcome across the whole site.
Are dogs allowed at Carlisle Castle year round?
The location data doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions on dogs, so they appear to be welcome throughout the year. It's always worth checking with English Heritage directly before you visit, particularly over bank holidays or during special events.
What should I know before visiting Carlisle Castle with my dog?
Keep your dog on a lead throughout the visit, and bear in mind they won't be able to join you in the Military Museum café. Parking at the castle is reserved for disabled visitors only, so you'll need to use one of the city centre car parks — Devonshire Walk (CA3 8UL) is right next to the castle and a convenient option. On the plus side, there's plenty of open ground inside the curtain wall for your dog to enjoy while you take in over 900 years of history.
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