Access

Borderlines Book Festival CIC aims to ensure that all venues are, as far as reasonably possible, are accessible to all. The specific facilities are detailed under each venue. If you have any access requirements or queries at all, please don’t hesitate to contact us via borderlinescarlisle@gmail.com or 07969 082302.

We understand that in-person events are not possible or comfortable for many of our audience members. This is why all Borderlines events this year will be filmed and uploaded after the festival, with tickets available to purchase. All workshops can be attended virtually – please email borderlinescarlisle@gmail.com if you would like to access this.

Guide and Assistance dogs are very welcome. Please advise us in advance if you are bringing one with you.

The Festival is taking place in the following venues this year:


Cakes & Ale Café

The Café is part of Bookends Bookshop, located on 17-19 Castle Street, access to the Café is via a side door down Long Lane alley. The venue is wheelchair accessible and there are no steps.


Tullie House Museum

The Museum has a full access statement on the website: https://www.tulliehouse.co.uk/sites/default/files/tullie_house_accesss_statement_2022.pdf which includes directions, parking and other useful information. The Museum has wheelchair accessible toilets.

Borderlines events will take place in one of three rooms:

Lecture Theatre – this can be accessed step-free via the Old Tullie House entrance to the Museum. The Lecture Theatre itself has tiered seating. There is space for wheelchair users at the back of the room or, alternatively, there is space at the front of the room. This is accessed via single platform lift – please let our staff know. 

A hearing loop will be in place for events in the Lecture Theatre. 

Book signings will take place after the event in the Function Room – this is adjacent to the Lecture Theatre, in between the Museum Café. Access is via the same level as the Lecture Theatre, with no steps.

Community Room – this room is fully accessible and is located in the Reception of the Museum. Access is step free.

Meeting Room – this room is located in Old Tullie House on the ground floor of the Museum. Access is step free. There will be a member of staff in the foyer of Old Tullie House to show visitors to this room.


Carlisle Cathedral

Full access information for Carlisle Cathedral can be found here: https://carlislecathedral.org.uk/visitor-information/ 

Although the Cathedral do not have designated disabled parking available in the Abbey grounds, if you require disabled parking while visiting the Cathedral please contact the Verger’s Office 01228 535169  in advance to ask for a parking permit. Disabled parking is also available at the Lanes shopping centre nearby.

Borderlines events will take place in one of two spaces:

Fratry Hall – this room is located just off the Fratry Café in the grounds of Carlisle Cathedral. There is a set of short steps to reach the room, with an adjacent platform lift available. Author signings will take place on the stage, which has a one step to access. If any audience members are unable to access the stage, we will arrange for the author to sign in another location.

Cathedral - Wheelchair access is available to the Cathedral itself.

A hearing loop will be in place for events in the Fratry Hall and the Cathedral. 


Tithe Barn

Access to the Tithe Barn is via two steps, but a ramp will be available for wheelchair users. Once inside the venue is wheelchair accessible and has an accessible toilet on the ground floor.

Borderlines Book Festival would like to thank our Partners:

Tullie House Bookends Free Radicals Pinc

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