A MAJOR conservation project at Carlisle Castle has now been completed, English Heritage has announced.

The project, which started earlier this year, aimed to address issues with water damage within the castle keep, both at ground and roof level.

Specialist workers have worked hard to repair parts of the roof and some masonry, ensuring that drainage at ground level is improved and repointing the upper levels of the keep with a lime-based mortar.

Within the keep, workers have carefully conserved stonework - thereby ensuring that the 15th century prisoner carvings are safe for future generations. 

The castle forms a large part of Carlisle’s historic centre which also includes Carlisle Cathedral which has been celebrating its 900th anniversary with a series of events throughout the year.

Juliet Fellow-Smith, English Heritage property manager at Carlisle Castle said: “This has been an exciting project and a significant step is ensuring that this much-loved castle is here for many more generations.

“This is the year that marks 900 years since the keep was built in stone and thanks to the hard work of our specialist teams the historic fabric and the intriguing images carved into the walls during the 15th Century, are protected for years to come.”

Built in 1092 by William II, Carlisle is the most besieged castle in England.

In 1315, Robert the Bruce tried to take it and in 1568 Mary, Queen of Scots, was held captive in one of its towers.

It featured prominently in the English Civil War and Jacobite troops under Bonnie Prince Charlie fought over it in the 18th Century.

English Heritage cares for over 400 historic monuments, buildings and sites – from world famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman forts on the edges of the empire to Cold War bunkers.

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