Carlisle, Hadrian's Wall & Borderlands
Carlisle Citadel

Recently restored, the crown courts on English Street are a fascinating piece of Carlisle’s history. Housing courts, a grand jury room and cells these imposing buildings overlook the main road into the city centre from the south. The two bastions known as The Citadel housed, until recently, the civil courts in the East Tower, and the criminal courts in the West Tower. Originally, the gate into the City at the southern end was Botcher Gate or English Gate.

In the 16th Century, Botcher Gate was replaced by a fortress designed by Stephan von Haschenperg, which had a central square tower flanked by round towers designed to take artillery. A new gate was made to one side. This was built as part of the national defense scheme deemed necessary as a result of European anger at Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries.

In 1810-1811 two new towers, to a design originally by Thomas Telford, and later completed by Sir Robert Smirke contained assize courts and a prison. Some 16th Century masonry still survives in the lower levels of the Eastern tower.