I'm not very familiar with Carlisle. I'm meeting someone (OK, so there's a romantic angle to this) in Carlisle next week late afternoon (4pm-ish), and I'd like to find a cosy tea shop for a couple of hours; preferably somewhere that doesn't close at 4pm as well. They're coming in on the train, so preferably something close to the station (to save time and travel although I'll be driving); 10 mins walk from the station would be fine (this is someone who does Wainwrights, so walking in Carlisle is not a problem!). There's the Hallmark Hotel right by the station, no idea what that's like, whether it's typical/chain-like/town-centre-ish/anonymous, or whether it's a good place; there's the newly refurbished bar in the station although that's a bit impersonal; the Cathedral crypt is good but it seems closed for renovation at the moment (https://www.carlislecathedral.org.uk/priors_kitchen). Any thoughts/recommendations welcome. TIA
Most seem to close around 4 including Pennylins Wee Irish Café and Foxes Café Lounge, but Coffee Genius is open until 5 - all good bets. It is a shame you can't meet at the station café at Langwathby - Close Encounter! Good luck.
Tell your romantic interest to bring climbing shoes, then a nice cuppa and a couple of hours bouldering at Eden Rock will confirm whether there’s any future in a potential relationship
Go to Waterstones on Scotch street, there’s a Costa upstairs and if she’s as dull as ditchwater you can grab a book and have a read. Alternatively if she’s a cracker there’s an Ibis on Botchergate that’ll do you a room for an hour (or 3 minutes if you’re from south lakes)
The John Watt and Son coffee shop on Bank Street is pretty good. The coffee is certainly very decent, as it should be given that John Watt and Son is a coffee roasting business. I think it closes at 5pm. Quite close by is a Greek restaurant called Alexandros, on Warwick Road, which would be good for a light meal.
> Go to Waterstones on Scotch street, there’s a Costa upstairs and if she’s as dull as ditchwater you can grab a book and have a read. Alternatively if she’s a cracker there’s an Ibis on Botchergate that’ll do you a room for an hour (or 3 minutes if you’re from south lakes)
Yeah, I would recommend John Watt and Son too. It's quite a traditional coffee shop but, as Guy says, the coffee is pretty good. Certainly a much better bet than one of the chains.
Thanks for all the useful info. Due to the timing of (4.30-6.30), none of the coffee/tea shops were ideal, so it ended up being the Hallmark next to the station, which was a convenient point for arriving and departing by train, but that would be its only plus point. Maybe it was the time of day, but the service was slow, and the bar was "quiet".
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