
Engagement and Families
We love welcoming families to Carlisle Cathedral. Our beautiful buildings and grounds are a wonderful space to learn, explore and relax. We want people of all ages to feel at home in this special place in the heart of the city. No matter your age or background, a warm family welcome awaits you at Carlisle Cathedral.
There’s something for everyone at the cathedral, no matter your age! From peaceful exploration to hands-on fun, here are some of the ways you can get involved:
-
Sensory Trail – A gentle, immersive experience inviting you to explore the cathedral using your senses. Pick up one of the special book marks at the Welcome Desk and use the map on this to find the different points in the trail. -
Colouring and Children’s Trails – Designed to spark curiosity, these interactive trails guide children through an ‘I-Spy’ sheet and a colouring activity. There is no charge for these trails which can be found a the Welcome Desk. -
Explorer Rucksacks – Packed with fun items such as binoculars, magnifying glasses, and more, these rucksacks help young adventurers uncover the cathedral’s secrets. Ask one of our helpful volunteers if you would like to borrow a rucksack for the duration of your visit. -
Holiday Children’s Activities – Join us during school holidays for hands-on craft sessions, storytelling, seasonal fun and much more for children and families. Details of these activities will be added to the website calendar and social media pages. Advanced online booking recommended -
Little Stars Toddler Group – A welcoming monthly group with play, singing, stories and crafts for toddlers and their carers, held in a relaxed, supportive environment. This takes place on the last Friday of each month at 10am and every Friday during the school holidays. We sometimes even welcome special guests from the library and local museums.
Creative Learning Workshops for Adults – Explore arts and crafts and learn new skills through a range of workshops designed to inspire and connect.
For more details about specific activities, please keep an eye on Carlisle Cathedral’s social media pages and the calendar page on the website.
Accessibility
We want visiting Carlisle Cathedral to be an enjoyable experience for all.
Preparing to visit
Our visual story is free to download and aims to help prepare families planning on visiting the Cathedral. Download the Visual Story.
The Cathedral is wheelchair accessible including a wheelchair lift to the Treasury exhibition.
There is no parking at Carlisle Cathedral, so please plan ahead, pay and display car parks are located nearby. If you visit by public transport we are a 10-minute walk from the train station and a 6-minute walk from the central bus station.
Visiting the Cathedral
Entry to the Cathedral is free and you can re-enter as many times as you like throughout a visit.
Toilets, including an accessible toilet, are located in our Cathedral Café.
Please check the What’s On calendar to find out about events and services happening on the day.















