Tullie Museum & Art Gallery

Tullie is a museum, art gallery, community hub and generally cool place to be (even if we do say so ourselves). 

Despite being far away from the UK’s big cultural centres, the collections we care for are truly world class. We care for an impressive set of Pre-Raphaelite artworks, an Arts Council England Designated Natural Science collection, and a vast Human History collection covering over 10,000 years. The total number of items we look after now totals over one million!  

Our four galleries span from present day all the way back to neolithic times. Discover Carlisle’s social and natural history in the Border Galleries. Marvel at 300 years of Cumbrian fashion in one of the largest dedicated costume galleries in the north. Go back to Roman times with our British Museum partnership gallery showcasing our significant Roman collection and loans from the British Museum. Finally, our impressive Fine and Decorative art collection, including our world-class Pre-Raphaelite artworks, is located in Old Tullie House. Originally built in 1689, the house retains some original features including an oak staircase and ground floor fireplace.

Our purpose-built exhibition gallery has hosted some incredible, world-renowned shows. We’ve had Turner, Rembrandt, the Crosby Garrett Helmet and even Paddington Bear. Not bad for a city of fewer than 100,000, eh?  

On top of that, we have a pretty great café serving brunch, lunch, hot and cold drinks and homemade cakes. The perfect place to meet a friend or refuel after a trip round the museum.