Guildhall Museum

This attractive medieval building was home to Carlisle's ancient trade guilds and is now a museum of civic history.

The half-timbered building dates from the late 14th century and was built as a private house for Richard of Redness. Richard left the house to the city in his will and it became a meeting point for various trade guilds. Carlisle had 8 of these guilds - for butchers, merchants, cordwainers (shoemakers), glovers (including skinners), smiths, tailors, tanners and weavers, with each using a different room in the Guildhall as a meeting place.

Today, the Guildhall houses treasures such as the great iron-clad chest that stored the city's documents, the medieval stocks and the unique Carlisle Bells (the oldest horseracing prizes in England). Children can experience life in Tudor times by dressing up and trading as a Tudor merchant.

This museum is well worth a look, especially as admission is free.

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