Carlisle
At Carlisle Castle, founded in 1092, you can explore the imposing dungeons and labyrinths, find the licking stones which gave prisoners life-saving moisture and look for the prisoners’ carvings. In 1746, the castle became the last English fortress ever to suffer a siege. The splendid cathedral has superb oak carvings and a famous 14th century stained-glass window. The Citadel, built by Henry VIII as a prison with twin-drum bastions, is an interesting place to spend time.

At the award-winning Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, discover thousands of years of Carlisle and Border history with ever-changing exhibitions and special events for children. July sees the annual Festival of Nations in Carlisle, a celebration of world culture with music, food and dance. Carlisle is also acclaimed as a vibrant and convenient shopping destination, so why not bag a bargain on your travels with Northern!


Maryport
Built on a grid system in the 18th century, Maryport is a pleasure to discover on foot and very easy to navigate. Enjoy the sea view, wander around the recently refurbished harbour and discover the wonders of the sea at the Lake District Coast Aquarium. The Maritime Museum tells of the town’s strong links with the ill-fated Titanic, as well as featuring a display on HMS Bounty mutineer Fletcher Christian. Discover the town's role as a Roman fortress in the Senhouse Roman Museum, which also houses an exceptionally well preserved collection of Roman sculptures. Cobbled Fleming Square and nearby Senhouse Street host many specialist and local shops for browsing.

Whitehaven
The picturesque harbour dates back to 1633 and was once one of the busiest ports in England: its businesses were major players in the rum and shipbuilding markets. Get the full story at The Beacon Visitor Centre on the harbourside. The town’s mining interests started in the 13th century and the Haig Colliery Mining Museum will give you the chance to see one of only two remaining Bever Dorling and Co. winding engines in daily operation. Delve into the town’s dark past at The Rum Story visitor attraction and be plunged into a tropical rainforest, walk through an African village and climb aboard a realistic slave ship.

St Bees
Visit the impressive St Bees Priory, with its magnificent West Door, dating back over 850 years. With over 2,000 pipes, the stunning Willis organ of 1899 is housed in the south transept and is one of the finest examples of an unaltered late-Romantic Victorian organ. You can also take the Priory Trail around the surroundings of the Priory. Parts of the village date back to 1600 and many interesting buildings can be found around the village.

Ravenglass
Ravenglass, the Lake District National Park’s only coastal village, was an important Roman naval base. The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, affectionately known as ‘La’al Ratty’, opened in 1875 to bring ore to Ravenglass, and now takes visitors on a steam-hauled journey from the station to Dalegarth, calling at Muncaster Mill, Irton Road, The Green and Beckfoot. At Ravenglass Station you can pick up an illustrated Wainwright guide of ten ‘Walks from Ratty’.

Bootle
Sandwiched between the coast on one side and the slope of Black Combe and Bootle Fell on the other, this stone-built farming village has lots to recommend it – although Wordsworth did not enjoy his holiday in the village: ‘Here on the bleakest point of Cumbria's shore / We sojourn stunned by the Ocean's ceaseless roar / Grim neighbour! Huge Black Comb’. Bootle Fell is the site of the Swinside stone circle, and north of the village was once the site of a 13th century Benadictine nunnery.

Millom
In 1855, Millom became a prosperous town owing to the finding of iron ore at Hodbarrow. Although once one of the largest industrial sites of its type in the world, very little is left to show visitors of the iron and steel activity that built the town. A reconstructed drift mine can be seen at the Millom Folk Museum. The site of the old mine workings is now a major RSBP nature reserve bordering an artificial lagoon. Whilst in Millom, take a look at the strange 'fish' window in Holy Trinity church beside the site of Millom Castle.

Barrow-in-Furness
The first steamship Aries was built in the Barrow shipyards in 1870. Merchant ships and submarines followed by battleships, oil tankers and passenger liners have all played a part in the town’s history. The spectacular Dock Museum tells how this small hamlet became a world leader in steel and shipbuilding. The ruins of Furness Abbey are well worth a visit whilst in the area. The 700-year-old abbey was once one of the richest Cistercian monasteries in England. Built from red sandstone, the majestic remains still give a feeling of grandeur and purpose.