Top 10 Things To See
Where is it?
The Panelled Room in Old Tullie House
What is it?
A nationally important collection of 19th century Pre-Raphaelite art.
Why should I see it?
Carlisle is one of only a few cities in the country where you can see works by this popular artistic movement. Pre-Raphaelite art was hugely influential and attracted many followers and admirers. Today their art is popular worldwide.
Collection highlights include a rare early watercolour by Dante Gabriel Rossetti called ‘Borgia’, ‘Windermere, A Storm’ by Ford Madox Brown, ‘Artemis’ embroidery design by William Morris, ‘The Rift within the Lute’ by Arthur Hughes and Burne-Jones’ original stained glass window designs for the East window of St Martin’s Church, Brampton.
Where is it?
Old Tullie House
What is it?
A complete Victorian tiled staircase that houses an important collection of works by local and nationally important artists
Why Should I See It?
Carlisle and the surrounding area has produced a number of talented artists since the late eighteenth century. Matthew Nutter is one of the most important Carlisle artists of the first half of the nineteenth century. William James Blacklock and Sam Bough are two of the areas most outstanding nineteenth century landscape painters. 20th century artists include Lucien Pissarro, William Rothenstein, Stanley Spencer, Vanessa Bell, John Nash and Winifred Nicholson key works are on display.
The tiled staircase itself dates from the opening of Tullie House in 1893. It is a fine example of a Victorian tiled interior using beautiful relief moulded earthenware tiles, made by Craven Dunill and Co Ltd., at Jackfield in Shropshire.
Where is it?
Foyer of Old Tullie House
What is it?
An internationally important musical instrument of great rarity
Why Should I See It?
This small, decorated violin is of outstanding international historic interest. It was made in around 1564 by Andrea Amati of Cremona, Italy, the ‘father of violin making’. Not only is it a very rare survivor from the earliest period of violin-making, but it also formed part of the earliest and most famous set of stringed instruments ever made.
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Where is it?
In the Border Galleries
What is it?
A fascinating collection of Pre-Roman artefacts
Why Should I See It?
Of a wonderful selection of exhibits, one of the most spectacular is the Bewcastle Cauldron. The quality of the workmanship to make this item out of very thin metal is very good. Cauldrons were rare objects in the Iron Age and were probably owned by chiefs and associated with giving feasts. The importance of the chief was proportional to the quality of the feasts he gave.
A cauldron full of Celtic beer would go a long way to making it successful!
Where is it?
In the Border Galleries
What is it?
An excellent collection from one of the museums real areas of strength
Why Should I See It?
There’s an impressive range of exhibits. One of the most intriguing is the small relief of three hooded figures. These are referred to as the Genii Cucullati, but this just means hooded small gods. Their significance isn’t known for certain. They are Celtic in origin, but only appear during Roman times. Three was a magic number for the Celts. The hooded figures are often shown holding objects which may be associated with fertility, a male equivalent of the mother goddesses which can also be seen in this part of the museum.
Where is it?
In the Social History Gallery, Border Galleries
What is it?
A collection of Carr’s biscuit tins
Why Should I See It?
During the 1830s, Carlisle baker Jonathan DodgsonCarr devised a method of producing fancy biscuits on a huge scale, making them a popular and affordable luxury.
Crucial to Carr’s success was his close working relationship with fellow Carlisle company Hudson Scott, who manufactured decorated metal tins. Not only did these airtight containers enable Carr’s to export their products around the world without spoiling, but the decorated tin designs made the products even more desirable.
Where is it?
In the Border Galleries
What is it?
Objects relating to Carlisle’s railway heritage
Why Should I See It?
Before the nineteenth century, Carlisle was a remote backwater, with poor communication links to the rest of the country. The coming of the railways transformed the city, beginning with the Newcastle to Carlisle line (fully opened in 1838). Carlisle was soon a vital link between Scottish and English rail companies and by 1880 no fewer than seven different companies operated out of the huge Citadel station.
The railways stimulated the city’s growth, with new industries, businesses and housing all springing up.
Where is it?
In the Border Galleries
What is it?
An imaginative interpretation of Cumbrian Wildlife
Why Should I See It?
The Dome follows the Eden Valley from its source to the Solway Firth with a series of dioramas packed with exhibits from our extensive Natural History Collections. Of particular interest is the display of Peregrines by Ernest Blezard, which cleverly uses a model of the exact nest site of Peregrines in the Caldbeck Fells. Due to controls on use of pesticides, Peregrines, virtually extinct in the ‘60s, are now increasing with around 90 breeding pairs in the county.
The Guildhall is one of the oldest buildings in Carlisle and is Grade 1 Listed. As it is so old it requires a significant amount of care. The building will be closed throughout 2011 to enable essential preservation work to take place. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope that you will visit nearby Tullie House Museum where you can experience a virtual tour of the building for free.
Where is it?
In the Greenmarket, Carlisle city centre
What is it?
A Medieval timber building
Why Should I See It?
This building was constructed around 1397 by a local merchant called Richard de Redness as a Medieval ‘office block’ development, with shops on the ground floor, workshops and accommodation above, and a town house behind. Today, the town house has gone, but the rest has survived Carlisle’s turbulent history and is now the oldest domestic building in the city. Amongst other uses over its 600-year history, the trade guilds of Carlisle often held their meetings here, giving the building its name.
Today, the upper floors are open as a free museum every day from Easter to October. Discover the building’s atmospheric charm and find out more about Carlisle’s unique civic and guild history. Please note: The Guildhall is a historic building and access is only possible via stairs.
