Must See Sights and Landmarks in High Ireby Area

"Cockermouth was the birthplace of William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy, whose childhood home was this 18th-century town house, carefully…"

"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."

"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."

"23 Main Street Kings Arms Courtyard, Keswick CA12 5BL EnglandItalian, PizzaLunch, Dinner, Late NightDelivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service[email protected]+44 17687 72083http://www.lbspizzahouse.co.uk/"

"14-16 Devonshire Street, Carlisle CA3 8LP EnglandItalian, Contemporary, HealthyServes Alcohol, Reservations, Seating, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Digital Payments, Free Wifi[email protected]+44 1228 548481http://www.hellbelow.co.uk/"

"Play, education, History, Archaeology, Museums, Art, Collections. Tullie House, where historic collections, contemporary art and family fun are brought together in one impressive museum and art gallery."