Carlisle - Market Place & Parks

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Carlisle Market Place & Parks, with Explorers joining hopeful treasure seekers in Carlisle as they follow a Roman map linked to a skeleton and sealed vessel, trying to uncover the long-lost hoard of I, Maximus Coinage.

The quest covers 2 miles and should take 2+ hours to complete. You'll explore the historical city of Carlisle from the Market Place, heading past the cathedral, castle and Tullie House Museum, along city-centre streets, pedestrian areas, museums, parks, stores, grand buildings and coffee shops, before returning close to the Tourist Information Centre.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. It mainly follows pavements and clear footpaths, but there are a few steps to navigate, a cobbled street on Fisher Street and a subway section to the castle, making it unsuitable for explorers using wheels.

Use the two crossings on the way to the train station, take care through the subway section to the castle, and follow any diversions in place where the Trail passes through an area with work going on for the Carlisle Station Gateway Project.

If Tullie House Museum is closed, go right from the archway along Paternoster Row and turn left at the end onto Castle Street.

Getting There

By car: Your quest starts outside the Tourist Information Centre, in the Old Town Hall at the northern end of Market Place (CA3 8JE). The Lanes Shopping Centre car park (CA3 8NX) is the recommended car park, not far from the start point, and is the closest car park to the start.

By public transport: If you're arriving by train, the train station is on the route. Make your way to outside the Tourist Information Centre, in the Old Town Hall at the northern end of Market Place, to begin the adventure. The route starts and finishes in the city centre and returns close to the Tourist Information Centre.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are available in The Lanes shopping centre (CA3 8NS) near the start and end points, and also at the train station around Clue 06.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the treasure hunt 🐾

The route includes city-centre pavements, pedestrian areas, road crossings, cobbled Fisher Street, a subway section and park paths, so keep canine companions close around traffic, busier sections and any diversions near the Carlisle Station Gateway Project works.

Food & Drink Stops

There are plenty of places to stock up on provisions in the city centre, including coffee shops and stores along the way. The route also passes The Woodrow Wilson pub on Botchergate.

If your treasure crew prefers a packed lunch, Bitts Park around Clue 16 is suggested for an Explorer's picnic.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Carlisle's Historic City Centre, Cathedral and Market Cross

The historical city centre gives Explorers plenty to enjoy beyond clue-cracking, with grand buildings, coffee shops, pedestrian areas, museums, parks and stores. The Trail takes you past the cathedral, which is worth a visit, and nearby Market Cross was erected in 1682 to replace an earlier cross. It marks the centre of the city, where the Roman Forum stood, where Bonnie Prince Charlie declared his father king in 1745, and where the A6 from London met the A7 from Edinburgh.

Tullie House Museum

The Trail enters the gardens of Tullie House Museum, and the museum is worth a visit while you're exploring Carlisle. If it is closed during your quest, use the alternative route from the archway along Paternoster Row and onto Castle Street.

The Castle

The route passes the castle and takes you through a subway to the castle before continuing towards Bitts Park. It's one of the Carlisle sights called out as worth a visit, so build in extra time if your Explorers like a side helping of history with their Roman-map treasure hunt.

St Cuthbert's church and Head Lane

The Trail passes St Cuthbert's church and a metal plaque set in the wall nearby. For an optional detour, pop down Head Lane just before St Cuthbert's church to walk alongside the medieval Tithe Barn to the old city walls at the end. From the walls, look out for the impressive chimney: Dixon's Chimney.

Bitts Park

Bitts Park is a great green pause on the route, especially around Clue 16 if you've packed an Explorer's picnic. The Trail also goes past the playground, ornamental gardens, a pagoda and tennis courts, making it a handy spot for Mini Explorers to burn off any spare treasure-hunting energy.