Old Fire Station

Creative Tourist
Old Fire Station

A converted fire station in the City of Carlisle, this venue offers a variety of spaces for live performances, workshops, exhibitions and more, encourage local art and artists and attract international acts.

The building originated in 1901, and was used to house horse-drawn fire engines and equipment. Over time, the station evolved to accommodate modern fire engines and technology, until it was finally decommissioned in 1982. Despite its new role as an arts centre, the venue retains much of its original character and charm, making it a beloved landmark in the heart of Carlisle.

Peter StreetCarlisleCA3 8QP View map
Telephone: 01228 938110 Visit now

Opening Hours

  • Monday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Friday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Saturday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sunday12:00pm - 4:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Old Fire Station

Tom Branfoot. Photo Eleanor Hall, Museum of the Home
LiteratureWest Yorkshire
Poetry at the Dusty Miller

Poetry at the Dusty Miller is a now regular night with invited readers, organised by Carcanet-published Carola Luther and Judith Willson in the Coiners’ Room in the Mytholmroyd pub.

Free entry

Where to go near Old Fire Station

Cumbria
Gallery
Carlisle Contemporary Arts

An eclectic display of Carlisle’s talent, this gallery not only platforms its community but hosts regular events and constantly changing exhibitions.

Carlisle and Keswick
Music venue
The Brickyard

Opened in 2002, The Brickyard is Carlisle’s longest-running independent music venue, offering live performances in an intimate church hall.

Shop stock image
Cumbria
Gallery
Weft Studio

This gallery is a hidden gem, just outside Carlisle town centre. Beautiful hand-crafted textile artworks and creations, with delicate things in the shop to take home.

Cumbria
Museum
A World in Miniature Museum

Considered one of the best collections in the world, whether you are already a miniaturist fan, or a fresh face, you won’t leave this Museum without an appreciation.

Upfront Puppet Theatre
Cumbria
Theatre
Upfront Puppet Theatre

Upfront Puppet Theatre is located near Penrith, Cumbria and is one of only four authentic working puppet theatres in England.

Cumbria
Tourist Attraction
Hutton-in-the-Forest

A few miles north of Penrith, Hutton-in-the-Forest is an exquisite country house, described by Simon Jenkins as “one of Britain’s top 100”.

Café or Coffee Shop
The Village Bakery Melmerby

The Village Bakery is there to fortify those in need – with fresh breads and good food – and you don’t have to cycle there to try it.

Cumbria
Event venue
Quirky Workshops

A unique creative venue offering an inspiring range of art, craft and heritage ‘Quirky Workshops’ and courses.

Culture Guides

Hannah Platt 'Playing Out', courtesy of Threshold, photograph by Jules Lister.
Exhibitions in the North

From city-wide art festivals to open-air sculptural installations, we have exhibitions from all around the North, both indoors and out.

Sextile
Music in the North

Gigs are coming in hot this spring – from long-awaited returns to one-off happenings you’ll blink and miss (unless you’re paying attention).

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Eclectic as ever. You'll find inventive reworkings, world-class contemporary dance and Greater Manchester's inaugural Improv Festival in our guide.

portrait of Lorsung in a dark shirt with dark hair and dark round glasses
Literature Events in the North

We've got laughs and we've got leftfield on the live literature radar this month. Something for everyone, from poets playing with form to short story writers looking long.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.