Carlisle is a city situated in the north-western county of Cumbria. Lying just ten miles south of the Scottish border where the rivers Eden, Caldew and Petteril meet, this area is not lacking in glorious landscapes and lush, green countryside. The city remains the largest of Cumbria's cities and is home to the County Council's headquarters.

Being so close to the Kingdom of Scotland, Carlisle (or Cumberland as it was known at the time) was ideal for a vital military stronghold and its status as a major Roman settlement still gives the area much of its special character. Its location has also led to town's given nickname - the Border City.

Carlisle Castle, built in 1092 by William Rufus, remains largely intact and is perhaps most famous for being the place where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned. Nowadays, the castle is home to the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment in addition to the Border Regiment Museum.

Equally dominant is Carlisle town's priory. Having been built under the orders of Henry I in the early twelfth century, the priory was transformed into the magnificent Carlisle Cathedral, after the town was granted the status of a diocese in 1122.

The specific location of the area also led to further developmental advantages. During the Industrial Revolution, Carlisle was transformed into a major industrial town that was characterised by both a significant population increase in addition to a substantial socioeconomic upturn.

These two factors were instrumental in the development of the area as it soon became a significant railway town. In the late nineteenth century, many tracks were laid in the surrounding areas and Carlisle Railway Station found itself shared among some seven different railway companies.

At the same time, the area bore witness to many other major developments. At the turn of the twentieth century, the town's population was close to 50,000, a tram system was built in 1900 (this system continued to serve the area for the next thirty years) and in 1906 the town received its first cinema.

Nowadays, Carlisle remains the primary cultural, commercial and industrial centre in Cumbria, while it is now more education-oriented. The University of Cumbria has its main campuses here and the area is now home to various museums and galleries.

The Tullie House museum and Art Gallery, which has received numerous awards and an equal number of refurbishments and expansions is the highlight. While the focus is on Roman history, the museum also houses many temporary exhibitions. Elsewhere, the Guildhall Museum, located within a fourteenth century house, is an equally interesting alternative.

The nearby Lake District is widely regarded as among the best places in the country for food. Carlisle itself boasts some four Michelin Star restaurants and with the nearby Jennings Brewery producing a huge variety of fine real ales, the area is a favourite for fans of dining out.

In addition, the Carlisle Food Fair - featuring both local and continental produce - is held once a year in august. One of the highlights of this festival is the variety of authentic Cumberland sausage, sauces and mustards on offer. Suffice to say, if you are considering relocating and great food and culture are high on your list of requirements, Carlisle is a place well worth looking into.

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