Must See Sights and Landmarks in Hay Area

"The poet William Wordsworth was born on 7 April 1770 at this handsome Georgian house at the end of Main St. Built around 1745, the house has been meticulously restored based on accounts from the Wordsworth archive: the kitchen, drawing room, study and bedrooms all look much as they would have to a young William. Costumed guides wander around the house for added period authenticity. Outside, the walled kitchen garden was mentioned in Wordsworth's autobiographical epic The Prelude."

"Carlisle's brooding, rust-red castle lurks on the north side of the city. Founded around a Celtic and Roman stronghold, the castle's Norman keep was added in 1092 by William Rufus, and later refortified by Henry II, Edward I and Henry VIII (who added the supposedly cannon-proof towers). From the battlements, the stirring views stretch as far as the Scottish borders. The castle also houses Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, which has collections of military memorabilia associated with the region's regiments."

"It has withstood many sieges, contained a valuable royal prisoner, and been home to the King's Own Royal Border Regiment. Discover the castle's turbulent past in the fascinating family-friendly exhibition. Explore medieval castle rooms as well as 19th century military buildings, and visit Cumbria's Museum of Military Life"

"There may not be a castle in England that has lived through as much carnage as Carlisle Castle. It was established by the Normans on top of a Roman fort during the reign of William II at the end of the 11th century. For the next 650 years there was near-constant conflict."

"Consecrated as an Augustinian Priory in the 12th century, Carlisle Cathedral is the second-smallest cathedral in England after Oxford. One reason for this is that a big piece of the nave was torn down in the English Civil War to bolster Carlisle Castle. The architecture is Gothic, mostly from the 13th and 14th centuries."

"This old slate mine has been reinvented as a centre for all kinds of activities: you could venture underground into the bowels of the old 'Edge' and 'Kimberley' mines, tackle a via ferrata, or climb inside the mine along a system of fixed cables, tracing the route followed by the slate miners. A tour into the 'Cathedral' mine runs on Friday by request, but you'll need eight people and it costs £25 per person."

"The ruins of Caerlaverock Castle, by Glencaple on a beautiful stretch of the Solway coast, are among the loveliest in Britain. Surrounded by a moat, lawns and stands of trees, the unusual pink-stoned triangular castle looks impregnable. In fact, it fell several times, most famously when it was attacked in 1300 by Edward I: the siege became the subject of an epic poem, ‘The Siege of Caerlaverock’."

"Seven miles east of Caerlaverock Castle, in tiny Ruthwell, a church holds one of Europe’s most important early Christian monuments. The 6m-high 7th-century Ruthwell Cross is carved top to bottom in New Testament scenes and is inscribed with a poem called ‘The Dream of the Rood’; written in a Saxon runic alphabet, it’s considered one of the earliest examples of English-language literature. Bus 79 running between Dumfries and Annan stops in Ruthwell."

"has borrowed one of David Bowie’s names, and celebrates a certain raucous irreverence and artistic flair. The restaurant and bar take advantage of this cool historic building, with exposed brick walls, antique lighting, and plenty of character. Try something from the bar’s playful cocktail menu, like a rhubarb cosmo or a spiced pear mojito."

"This place scores points for the name alone (at least for Bowie fans), although the Duke himself would have been most unlikely to tuck into the burgers, tandoori chicken and flat-iron steak on the menu."

"Styled like an American Diner there is always a friendly welcome here and we love the food. Its American, Mexican, and tasty. Something a little different from your normal Lakeland fair."

"Owned by a family from the north-east region of Bangladesh, the restaurant has been in business for over 15 years. Located across the street from Bitts Park, and just a short distance from Carlisle Castle, Bari is central to many of the town’s main attractions. Stop in after a museum or church visit for classic dishes like meat korma or masala or something new like the adhraki chicken cooked with green olives and fresh green chillies."

"This top-notch museum is centred on a Grade I-listed Jacobean mansion from the start of the 17th century. The museum opened inside in the 1890s, and modern extensions were made in the 90s and early 2000s. The Tullie House Museum has enthralling artefacts from the Roman forts in Carlisle, including Petriana, which was the largest on Hadrian’s Wall."