Need some advice about arlisle, Cumbria and Edinburgh

Hi travelling fellas. Missed being with you for a while.

I'll be in carlisle, England and Edinburgh in this july (2009). As I had been to London several times, I haven't been much outside of London, except Oxford and Willtshire. I need soem advice on what to do in Carlisle, since I only have one full day there, and in Edinburgh (I have three days there). Have I made a mistake with staying in Carlisle as little as a day?.. Should I go to Hadrian's Wall or the Shore and lakes Region?.. As I won't have a car in the Uk what method of transportation I should use?..
Thanks for all your answers..

I can only help a little with Edinburgh. You might want to visit Edinburgh Castle, very interesting and good enough for a couple of hours. There's also the National Gallery of Scotland if you like art, and perhaps a climb up Arthur's Seat and Carlton Hill (if it's not too hot in the summer). Or if you like whisky, there's also the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre just next to Edinburgh Castle, you get a bit of tasting and a mini tour. The city is very walkable and public transport is pretty good, so you can get around without a car. You might want to just stroll along Royal Mile and take in the view.

I'm not sure if there are any major festivals going on in July, most of them happen around August.

I found a link for Carlisle: http://www.historic-carlisle.org.uk/historiccarlisle/main.asp?page=2

Thanks for the link!.. it helped a lot as I am practically printing out everything that I see on that link
Seems like I made a good choice including Edinburgh to my plan this summer.
I am not that into Whiskey, two shots will knock me out but the Castle will be much fun I presume.

Thanks for the response, it is appreciated.

No offence to the residents of Carlisle, but you MUST NOT MISS the Lake District.
Get on a train south to Oxenholme (The Lake District), a quick change to Windermere will take you into the National Park. From there you can wander on foot or get a bus north to Ambleside, where the mountains begin.

http://www.golakes.co.uk/places/highlights/default.aspx

Thanks stevieh, I am checking the website now and it looks amazing.. I am fasciniated with the climate and flora of the UK countryside, and I am sure I'll have good time there.. I've only been around London here and there, at least ten times between 2007-2009, so I am sure this is going to turn to a big experience for me..

Does Scottish banknotes are valid all around the UK? Can I use English pounds in Edinburgh? Carlisle is still England, that's what I read, so English pounds won't be a problem there.

lastly, any medieval theme restaurants you know of in Edinburgh and Carlisle?
Cheers!

[ Edit: Edited on 15-Jun-2009, at 06:25 by delacroix ]

Quoting delacroix

Does Scottish banknotes are valid all around the UK? Can I use English pounds in Edinburgh? Carlisle is still England, that's what I read, so English pounds won't be a problem there.

Yes, nobody in Edinburgh will even notice if you use an English banknote to pay for something. If you use a Scottish banknote in England you will also not have any problems in 99% of cases - very occasionally (used to be more of a problem 10-20 years ago) someone might say something about it, but it's highly unlikely you'll encounter this and if you do it's generally down to ignorance on the cashier's part.

Quoting delacroix

Thanks stevieh, I am checking the website now and it looks amazing.. I am fasciniated with the climate and flora of the UK countryside, and I am sure I'll have good time there.. I've only been around London here and there, at least ten times between 2007-2009, so I am sure this is going to turn to a big experience for me..

Does Scottish banknotes are valid all around the UK? Can I use English pounds in Edinburgh? Carlisle is still England, that's what I read, so English pounds won't be a problem there.

lastly, any medieval theme restaurants you know of in Edinburgh and Carlisle?
Cheers!

Totally with Stevieh - don't miss the Lake District. An alternative way in would be to take the Lakeslink bus direct to Keswick, or the train from Carlisle to Penrith then bus to either Keswick or to Patterdale, at the Northern end of the Lake District. Personally I'm a bit biased in favour of the North Lakes, but Stevieh's suggestion of getting to Ambleside is a good one too.

Regarding Carlisle, I don't think there are any medieval theme restaurants. My favourite eating place in Carlisle is an Indian called 'Teza', which does really quite good modern Indian dishes and really quite good cocktails too. If you do spend a day in Carlisle, it's worth a wander around the castle, which if nothing else is impressively big, and I really like the Tullie House Museum which will give you a good background to both the history and the wildlife of Cumbria. You'll want to look at the cathedral, too, which whilst comparatively small as cathedrals go is perfectly formed. But if you've only got one day spare in Cumbria then you should certainly spend it in the Lake District.

Re Scottish banknotes, I can't remember having a problem using them 'up North', but last time I went on holiday to Scotland I had a devil of a job trying to get rid of some in London when I got back. They certainly are legal tender, but the shop assistants of the Holloway road wouldn't believe me!

[ Edit: Edited on 15-Jun-2009, at 09:34 by magykal1 ]

Thanks a lot guys, I will totally follow your adivce and try to make it to he lakes district in Cumbria befoer heeding out to Scotland. promise to myself : don't spend all my time in buffets for lunch and Starbucks Carlisle and will explore around

BTW, still open for good food advices, or maybe a Medieval theme restuarant in Edinburgh.