A prominent two storey Grade I Listed Building of Medieval origin, the Old Town Hall mostly dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. 1345 is the earliest reference to the predecessor of the building, variously termed the ‘Toll booth’, 'Common Hall’ and ‘Motehall’ or ‘Moot Hall’ in later medieval sources. In 1668 the medieval hall was demolished to make way for a new one on the same site. It is this building, finished in 1669, with numerous subsequent alterations and extensions which survives today.
Over the years, the ground floor of the building has consistently remained in commercial and retail use whilst the grander public rooms at first floor level have accommodated a number of important civic functions including, most notably the Courts of Assize until 1881, the City’s Magistrates Court until 1941, and Council Chamber and offices of the City of Carlisle Corporation until 1964.
The first floor now accommodates the Tourist Information Centre and Assembly Room
Carlisle is proud to welcome visitors to our recently refurbished, state-of-the-art tourist information centre (TIC). The TIC is located in the iconic Old Town Hall, which is a stones’ throw from the city’s historic quarter, shopping centre and restaurants.
The friendly team at the TIC are here to help you make the most of your time in Carlisle. Our knowledgeable staff can provide information on attractions, transport, outdoor activities, shopping, places to eat, events and much more. The TIC is also a great place to discover the excellent range of accommodation on offer in Carlisle and the surrounding area, and offers an accommodation booking service
In addition, you can find a wide range of literature for local and national destinations and purchase tickets for may regional events. Our fully stocked gift shop sells a range of souvenirs, many produced in Cumbria, as well as maps and guides to help make your holiday or short break as memorable as possible.
Following official government advice issued on Saturday 31 October, which stipulates that people should avoid public buildings, we regret to announce that the Carlisle Tourist Information Centre will close once again from Thursday 5 November to help slow the spread of Coronavirus. The health and wellbeing of our customers and staff is paramount and must come first. Please bear with us at this difficult and uncertain time. You can email us at tourism@carlisle.gov.uk or info@discovercarlisle.gov.uk, but there will be a reduced service. Any direct messages on our social media pages will also be replied to as soon as possible. We will endeavour to keep as many of our services available as much as possible, however there will be no access in person to the Old Town Hall until further notice. If you have any enquiries with regards to fishing permits or memberships for the River Eden, please contact Nigel Austin at the Carlisle Angling Association directly. His details can be found on their website at www.carlisleanglingassociation.org.uk
The Assembly Room, located within the Old Town Hall, is available to hire for your meeting or event. Located within Carlisle City Centre the Assembly Room is ideal for a variety of events.
We can offer a range of refreshment packages for your event from teas and coffee’s to buffet lunches. The Assembly room also has a fully equipped kitchen which is available to use at no additional cost.
The Assembly Room is located within the Old Town Hall, English Street, Carlisle and is fully accessible. We are situated on the first floor which can be accessed by a lift from ground floor level. Parking is available close by.
The Old Town Hall, a Grade 1 listed building, dating back to the 17th Century has a wedding licence to hold ceremonies in its stunning Assembly Room. With its splendid fireplaces and original wood panelling the room is a beautiful, open, light-filled space that is steeped in civic history.
The Old Town Hall is a building rich in history and is perfect for couples looking for an intimate city centre wedding.
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