Today’s trip took us to Carlisle, a city we’ve visited a few times before, but this time we decided to skip the usual visit to the Castle and explore a little more of the town instead.

We kicked off our adventure at Bitts Park, which is just behind the Castle. The boys were absolutely delighted when they saw the park—it’s a fantastic spot for families! The climbing frame with slides, the gym equipment, the flying fox, and even a water park made it a great place to let off some steam. We even had a picnic here, so we were able to fully enjoy the park for quite a while. If you’re ever in the area and looking for somewhere to keep the kids entertained, this park is definitely worth a visit.

After finally prising the boys away from the park, we strolled into the town center, passing a monument of Queen Victoria along the way. The monument is a nice historical touch to the walk, adding a bit of culture before we reached the heart of the town.

Once in the town center, we couldn’t resist a little break and stopped by a quaint square where we treated ourselves to a Costa—because sometimes, nothing beats a warm drink while watching the world go by. The boys also got a chance to spend some of their pennies in The Entertainer, which, as you can imagine, was a big hit.

Our final stop for the day was the Cathedral, a place we’ve always wanted to explore in more detail. It was as stunning as we remembered, and the boys enjoyed a treasure hunt inside, which kept them engaged while we wandered around. One of the most impressive sights was the sheer size of the organ—it was absolutely massive! We all agreed that it would have been amazing to hear it played, but even just admiring it from afar was a treat.

All in all, it was a lovely, relaxed day spent exploring a familiar city in a new way. Whether it’s the fun of Bitts Park, a quiet moment with a Costa, or the awe-inspiring beauty of the Cathedral, Carlisle proved once again to be a perfect spot for a family day out.