Retirement Properties Spotlight in Brampton

Carlisle has always been the premier city in this part of north-west England serving a wide geographical area and one of the foremost agricultural centres in the north. Close to the present day border with Scotland the city was once a Roman camp and there are Roman forts and remains nearby. Carlisle's Museum and Art Gallery has a large collection of objects from the Roman period. Hadrian's wall runs just to the north of the city and the town featured strongly as England's first major defence against the Scots in the Middle Ages. The town was defended by a ring of ramparts part of which survive today as well as its castle with its huge keep.

Today Carlisle is a busy commercial centre with some good shopping and attractive housing. There are many fine buildings including the red sandstone cathedral originally begun as a church in the 12th century. Also the renovated Guildhall built in the 15th century as a private house and an 18th century town hall. The market cross dates from the 17th century and the castle now houses the museum of the former Border Regiment.