Carlisle Gloucester Train

Carlisle is the only city in Cumbria and its compact city centre is largely pedestrianised and The Lanes shopping centre is home to around 75 stores. Carlisle's historic centre has a castle, museum, cathedral and semi-intact city walls. The former law courts or citadel towers which now serve as offices for Cumbria County Council were designed by Thomas Telford. The first Citadel building was a Tudor fortification replacing the medieval Englishgate, designed by the Moravian military engineer Stefan von Haschenperg in 1541.

The city has a nickname of the "Great Border City" due to its proximity with the English border with Scotland and is the county town of Cumbria in the north west of England. The city's fortunes were transformed during the Industrial Revolution where milling became an important industry in the town. The city is also home to the University of Cumbria where it has four campuses in the city.

Carlisle is a principal railway station on the West Coast Main Line and is also on other lines that go to Newcastle along the Tyne Valley Line, Leeds along the Settle and Carlisle Line, Glasgow Central via Dumfries along the Glasgow South Western Line which connects Ayr and Stranraer for the Stena Line ferry to Port of Belfast or P&O Ferries to Larne Harbour, and west Cumbria along the Cumbrian Coast Line to Whitehaven, Barrow-in-Furness and Lancaster.

Located in the county of Gloucestershire, the historic city of Gloucester lies on the River Severn and is close to the Welsh border. Gloucester is a friendly, relaxed and safe city. Recent developments have seen the city emerge as a key regional centre with a lifestyle and culture of its own. It is entirely possible to while away an entire afternoon and evening in one of the many coffee shops and pubs.

In the heart of the city in College Green is the Norman cathedral with its fan vaulted cloisters and great east window. The nearby pedestrianised shopping area can be reached by a walk down narrow cobbled streets, passing ancient buildings on the way. From the shopping area it is a short walk to the Victorian Docks with its impressive converted warehouses. In the dock you will see many different kinds of vessels from narrow boats to sea going ships. Pleasure boats also depart from here that will take you on a journey through the past when Gloucester was a thriving commercial port.

The wider Gloucester Quays area is a favourite for visitors, with a great mix of waterside museums, bars, cafes, restaurants and Designer Outlet shopping plus beautiful new communal squares, walkways and dramatic public art, all nestling comfortably alongside the docks’ maritime heritage.