Carlisle Cathedral: One of the finest jewels of North West England
This magnificent cathedral in the heart of Carlisle has been part of the city’s story for almost 900 years. It never fails to delight our visitors. While visiting Carlisle, we strongly recommend taking the time to see Carlisle Cathedral. It may not be the best known medieval cathedral in the UK, but it does have a certain quiet charm that makes it a ‘must-see’ attraction when visiting the area. The cathedral dates back to 1122 during the reign of King Henry I. It was originally a monastic church in the Norman architectural style with solid masonry, large round piers, round arches and smallish round-headed windows. In those early years, it was home to a community of Canons who followed a strict canonical life influenced by the practices of Cistercian monks. It was eleven years later in 1133 when it gained its status as a cathedral rather than just a church, and continued to host several priory communities. With the Dissolution of the Monasteries from 1536 and the establishment of the Church of England by King Henry VIII, the friaries at the cathedral were dissolved. Worship was taken over by a secular chapter like the cathedrals at Lincoln and York. This practice continues to the present day.The East Window
The most significant architectural feature of Carlisle Cathedral is the East Window. It was created in the ‘Flowing Decorated Gothic’ style, and is the largest and most complex window of its type in England. It’s around 51 feet high and 26 feet wide. The window still retains much of its original medieval glass.
