Carlisle, Cumbria: History in Old Images

Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Carlisle, in Cumbria, England, UK.

Old Maps of Carlisle

The illustration of Carlisle’s streets and landmarks in an 1806 publication shows only a portion of the city, but with lots of detail about the buildings and structures, and layout of the plots of land.

The map below it shows the city’s layout and streets in 1891.

Old Map of Carlisle 1806 — From page 370 of “Magna Britannia; being a concise topographical account of the several counties of Great Britain [With copious illustrations.] vol. 1-6. L.P”, Daniel Lysons, M.A., F.R.S., Samuel Lysons F.R.S. and Matthew Gregson, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies in 1806, British Library archives

Old Map of Carlisle Cumbria England 1891 — Old map of Carlisle, from page 644 of “Our own country. Descriptive, historical, pictorial”, published by Cassell in 1891, British Library archives

In the 1850s

By the 1850s, the interest and fascination for England’s historic places had long been recognised, and an increasing number of books and prints brought images of these ancient structures to homes around Britain and beyond.

Old image of Carlisle Cumbria England Published 1850 — Old image of Carlisle from page 61 of “The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott, Bart. … With all his introductions and notes, etc [With plates, including a portrait.]” by Sir Walter Scott, published by Robert Cadell in Edinburgh (Scotland) in 1850, thanks to the British Library

Illustration of Carlisle Cemetery 1858 — Illustration of Carlisle Cemetery from page 84 of “The Border City. Carlisle and its associations, etc”, published by Geo. Coward in 1858, British Library archives

Carlisle Cathedral 1858 — Carlisle Cathedral from page 10 of “The Border City. Carlisle and its associations, etc”, published by Geo. Coward in 1858, British Library archives

The 1880s and 1890s

By the 1880s, the trade in books about history or historical places was well established. Photography was now almost 60 years old, but illustrations still dominated handbooks about places around Britain, even as filmmakers began to record Victorian streets and communities.

But as the twentieth century dawned, photography for commercial distribution was about to take centre stage.

Court Houses Monument and Gaol Carlisle 1880 — Court Houses Monument and Gaol Carlisle from page 118 of “Arthur’s Guide to Carlisle … Third edition”, Thomas W. Arthur and George Tuck, published 1880, British Library Archives

Illustration of Carlisle Cumbria England1881 — From page 83 of “Historical & Descriptive Guide to Carlisle and district. Originally published as ‘Arthur’s Guide to Carlisle.’ Fourth edition. Revised and extended”, published by A.B.Moss in Carlisle (England), 1881, British Library archives

Old advert Robert Armstrong Silk Mercer Carlisle 1881 — Robert Armstrong, Silk Mercer, from page 186 of “Historical & Descriptive Guide to Carlisle and district. Originally published as ‘Arthur’s Guide to Carlisle.’ Fourth edition. Revised and extended”, published by A.B.Moss Carlisle (England) in 1881, British Library archives

Carlisle Cathedral from the South East 1890, illustration from page 30 of “Carlisle Cathedral, Ward and Lock’s Illustrated Historical Handbook to Carlisle Cathedral, etc”, Ward, Lock & Bowden, ltd, 1890, British Library archives

Carlisle Cumbria England 1890 — From page 36 of “Carlisle Cathedral, Ward and Lock’s Illustrated Historical Handbook to Carlisle Cathedral, etc”, Ward, Lock & Bowden, ltd, 1890, British Library archives

Illustration of Carlisle Cumbria 1890 — From page 10 of “Carlisle Cathedral, Ward and Lock’s Illustrated Historical Handbook to Carlisle Cathedral, etc” Ward, Lock & Bowden, ltd, 1890, British Library archives

Illustration of The Castle Gate Carlisle in 1890 from page 12 of “Carlisle Cathedral, Ward and Lock’s Illustrated Historical Handbook to Carlisle Cathedral, etc” by Ward, Lock & Bowden, ltd, 1890, British Library archives

Carlisle Cathedral coloured illustration 1890 England — From page 6 of “Ward and Lock’s Illustrated Historical Handbook to Carlisle Cathedral, etc”, Ward, Lock & Bowden, ltd, 1890, British Library archives

Coloured illustration of Carlisle Cathedral 1890 England — From page 19 of Ward and Lock’s Illustrated Historical Handbook to Carlisle Cathedral, etc”, by Ward, Lock & Bowden, ltd, 1890, British Library archives

Illustration of The Market Place Carlisle 1890 England — The Market Place Carlisle from page 11 of “Ward and Lock’s Illustrated Historical Handbook to Carlisle Cathedral, etc”, published by Ward, Lock & Bowden, ltd in 1890; British Library archives

Illustration from Historic Handbook Carlisle 1890 — “Carlisle Cathedral” From page 36 of “Ward and Lock’s Illustrated Historical Handbook to Carlisle Cathedral, etc”, by Ward, Lock & Bowden, ltd, in London (England) in 1890, British Library archives

Carlisle Cathedral 1890s — Photomechanical print of Carlisle Cathedral taken between 1890-1900, Detroit Publishing Company Views of England collection, now in Library of Congress Prints and Photographs division

Market Place in the 1890s

The next image, and the two closeups, are of the 1890s photo of Carlisle’s town centre. There is so much activity going on and the buildings are beautifully ornate, that it justifies a pause to admire this moment from the past.

Old photo of The Market Place, Carlisle, Cumbria, 1890s — Old photo of the Market Place, Carlisle, Cumbria, taken between 1890 and 1900. From the Detroit Publishing Co, now in the Views of England collection at the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

old photo of the Market Place, Carlisle, Cumbria, 1890s in closeup — Closeup of an old photo of the Market Place, Carlisle, Cumbria, taken between 1890 and 1900. From the Detroit Publishing Co, now in the Views of England collection at the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Old Postcards of Carlisle

Old postcard of English Street Carlisle Cumbria England — Old postcard of English Street, Carlisle, from Mark Crombie’s extensive postcard collection on Flikr

Old blurry postcard of Carlisle Castle Cumbria England — Old blurry postcard of Carlisle Castle, one of Mark Crombie’s extensive collection of vintage postcards on Flikr

Old Postcard of Pleasure Land Upperby Carlisle Cumbria England — Old Postcard of Pleasure Land, Upperby, in Carlisle, thanks to Mark Crombie on Flikr

A Video of Vintage Postcards of Carlisle

“Postcards from Old Carlisle” – 0ldcarlisle on YouTube

Videos of Old Carlisle Photos

More short videos of vintage film and old photos of Carlisle:

Carlisle 2, Turning Back Time 2 – daverobe1 on YouTube

CARLISLE CUMBRIA UK – old photos & soundtrack – Zigatone on YouTube

Old Carlisle. Then and Now part 2 – Oldcarlisle on YouTube

Carlisle.. Then and Now – 0ldcarlisle on YouTube

Edwardian Denton Holme

The Huntley Film Archives collection contains a short film from 1911. It records the workers of Denton Holme, an inner city area of Carlisle in Cumbria.

The streets are bustling with people, with the occasional bicycle and horse and cart.

Because the men, women and children were curious about the filming, their faces and clothing are captured clearly for posterity. For the majority, this would be the only time in their lives they were filmed.

Workers of Dentonholme, Carlisle 1911, Archive film 977.. – HuntleyFilmArchives on YouTube

Prince Philip Visit 1958

This film from British Movietone records the 1958 Royal Visit of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, to Carlisle. Queen Elizabeth II was unable to attend because of illness, so was represented by her husband.

After arriving by royal train, Prince Philip was greeted at Carlisle station by a number of local dignatories including:

Colonel Sir Robert Chance, BA, JP, Lord Lieutenant of Cumberland – who in 1944 donated Chances Park to the City of Carlisle

Councillor Irving Burrow, the Mayor of Carlisle

Prince Philip was then driven in an open car through the streets to a formal ceremony where he received flowers from a young girl called Pauline Farish. Then there was a historical procession, with local people parading in a range of costumes. Some even appeared on horseback.

He then visited the Mitre Hotel for lunch with the city council.

In the afternoon, a childrens’ event took place at Bitts Park.

Many people turned out to cheer the royal visitor in all the locations shown.

The Duke Visits Carlisle – British Pathé on YouTube

Royal Visit to Carlisle – 1958 – British Movietone on YouTube

The same year, both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited the city together.

Queen and Duke Visit Carlisle (1958) – British Pathé on YouTube

Building the Marshalling Yard 1961

Between 1959 and 1963, a new marshalling yard was built in Carlisle as part of the British Rail modernisation programme. Marshalling yards were used to separate wagons and allow a change of crew at a time when freight was commonly transported by rail.

British Pathé recorded some of the building activity in 1961. Several of the men are seen working.

“Marshalling Yards Under Construction – Carlisle (1961)” – British Pathé on YouTube

Carlisle Railway Station 1960s

YouTube channel agdenyer uploaded this 1960s 8mm cine film, which includes shots of Carlisle Kingmoor MPD (Motor Power Depot) and Carlisle Station.

“British Railways Steam 1960’s Carlisle Station & Kingmoor MPD” – agdenyer on YouTube

Carlisle Power Station

Back in the late 1960s or early 1970s, the Carlisle power station was captured on a cine film home movie. It was uploaded by YouTube channel doctordiesel77.

“Carlisle power station” – doctordiesel77 on YouTube

Carlisle in the Early 1980s

This footage from Tony Marshall shows the city in the early 1980s, possibly 1982 or 1983.

“Carlisle – early 80s. Lanes demolished + panorama from top of Civic Centre” – Tony Marshall on YouTube

Carlisle’s Buses (1988)

YouTube channel DaveSpencer32 uploads videos from across the UK showing bus transport from the past few decades. This footage shows buses travelling about in the city back in 1988.

“CARLISLE BUSES 1988” – DaveSpencer32 on YouTube

Carlisle Railway Station 1989

Two pieces of footage show the city’s railway station in 1989.

47570 + 87021 at Carlisle Station in 1989 – Felixjaz on YouTube

Rails in Carlisle 1989. 85/86/87/90 passing through – Mike Wilcock on YouTube

Carlisle Scooter Club 1980s/90s

Two video montages of old photos of the Carlisle Scooter Club in the late 1980s and early 1990s also show a number of locations in the background.

“Carlisle Scooter Club late 80’s+early nineties” – davemicjack on YouTube

“Carlisle scooter club Part 2” – davemicjack on YouTube

River Eden 2009

It’s estimated that the Cumbrian floods of 2009 caused £276m of damage.

YouTube channel naturearoundme caught the moment the River Eden in Carlisle was running very close to the outer flood defences.

“Flooding in Carlisle, Cumbria – Nov 2009” – naturearoundme on YouTube

More Pictures of Old Carlisle

Old Carlisle in Cumbria, England, enjoyed through historic photos, vintage pictures & archive film. Browse history in these fascinating old images of a bygone era on my Pinterest Board.

More about Cumbria

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: History in Old Images
Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, England, UK.
Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria: History in Old Images
Glimpse history through old images of Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria, England, UK.
Ambleside, Cumbria: History in Old Images
Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Ambleside, Cumbria, England, UK.

Alston, Cumbria: Old Images & History
Glimpse history through old images and historic text of Alston, in Cumbria, England, UK.
Old Images of Cumbria, England
Glimpse history through old images of Cumbria, England.
Carlisle, Cumbria: History in Old Images
Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Carlisle, in Cumbria, England, UK. Old Maps of Carlisle The illustration of Carlisle’s streets and landmarks in an 1806 publication shows only a portion of the city, but with lots of detail about the buildings and structures, and layout of the plots of land. The map… Read more: Carlisle, Cumbria: History in Old Images

Cumbria: Local History Resources
Cumbria is a rural county in England’s North West region, with its northern border meeting Scotland. Down the west side of the county, the coastline meets the Irish Sea.