Address/Postcode: Bitts Park, Car park. CA3 8UZ

How to get to Bitts Park?

Bitts Park is located off Castle way in the Center of Carlisle, and the Car Park is just off Dacre Road. The Car park is a pay and display and does have limited availability so on busy days it may be worth looking to park towards the Centre of town and walking through as it is only a short walk. On foot, you can safely access Bitts park by either walking down Lowther Street leading to West Tower Street, where there is a walkway under the castle way bridge. You can also use the underpass to get there, which, from Scotch street (the city centre), walk through the Centre and then cross the road onto Rickergate and keep walking straight until you get to the underpass. Once in the tunnel, follow the signs for bitts park, which will be the exit to the left. To get directions from your location, you can click on the map above.

About

Bitts Park has a circular route with a tarmac path that is well maintained. The area has plenty of grassy areas for sitting and relaxing or giving your kids or dogs some exercise. Bitts Park boasts beautiful flower arrangements, landscaping and trees and is a lovely sight in Spring and Summer.

There is also a wonderful statue of Queen Victoria (which was erected on the 7th May 1902), a well-equipped children's play area, splash water park, outdoor exercise area, Skate Park and Tennis Courts.

There are toilet facilities available between 9 am and 5 pm.

A little about the history of Bitts Park, The park was the first public park to open in Carlisle. Dating back to 1893, it was initially opened as Peoples park. Still, it was later extended and renamed to "The Bitts", a term used for pockets of land used for grazing, most likely just a reference to its appearance with paths breaking up the greenery. Some of the Pathways, particularly near the river, dating back to 1818 and were built by unemployed weavers to form a riverside walkway beside the River Eden.

Bitts Park is subject to flooding from the overflow of River Eden. In 2015 the park was almost entirely underwater due to this and took a few years to recover in full.

Further information

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