Cartref Guest House

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jul 2026

John

We had a warm welcome, a spacious comfortable room, excellent shower - everything required for a pleasant stay. Breakfast, too, was plentiful and of excellent quality. Highly recommended.

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jul 2026

barry

Everything about my one night stay was perfect 👌

Self

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2026

Nicola

As a solo traveller, I booked a single room. It was perfect for my needs with comfortable bed, clean bathroom with a powerful shower and tea & coffee making facilities. The host was extremely helpful and friendly. I didn't take up the offer of breakfast but it certainly smelt good! Parking was available close by and was free with guest permit.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 Jun 2026

Sue

Excellent place to stay, convenient for town centre, parking was free and good, close to property . Melanie and Graham were great hosts, and gave good info on where to eat, drink and get transport from. The guest house was clean and a great breakfast.
Will definitely book again if we go to Carlisle.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jun 2026

christina

I needed an overnight stay en route to scotland . Cartref was easy to get to from M6 and felt clean and cosy. Traffic was a little noisy ( I had to open window due to heatwave) but the host thoughtfully supplied earplugs as well as various other \"extras \" for myself and the dog. Shared bathroom was clean and easily accessible. I would recommend Cartref if visiting Carlisle or just passing through and i would certainly consider staying here again if in the area.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Jun 2026

Stewart

Excellent B+B. Would recommend.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jun 2026

Wasif

very enjoyable stay and helpful staff

8/10

Excellent

20 Apr 2026

Emma

Lovely stay - friendly welcome and comfortable room. Good location with a short walk into town.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

13 Mar 2026

Jennifer

Host Melanie was both helpful and thoughtful and the accommodation was welcoming, considered and spotless.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

12 Mar 2026

Caroline

Beautiful room. Great value. Lots of little touches

Self

10/10

Exceptional

19 Oct 2025

Peter

Excellent

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2025

Dallas

It’s a nice place to stay when walking Hadrian’s Wall.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Sep 2025

Simone

Melanie was very sweet and attentive. Check in was easy despite arriving very late in the evening.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Sep 2025

ROBIN

We enjoyed our stay so much, and highly recommend!

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

14 Aug 2025

Kathleen

Lovely room for the three of us. Nice breakfast. We enjoyed our stay.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

29 Jul 2025

Trish

Very helpful and pleasa t. Room was beautiful, bathroom superb.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jun 2025

Carl

Cartref guest house Carlisle

Would highly recommend the Cartref guest house. The room was cosy, clean and modern. It’s like home from home the host (Melanie) was very personable and friendly, nothing was too much trouble and will cater to your needs. Overall and lovely and relaxing experience

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jun 2025

Andrew

Real coffee and cafetiere in the bedroom and super breakfast

10/10

Exceptional

15 May 2025

Robert

Lovely guest house, spotless, comfortable and fantastic value for money.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

28 Apr 2025

S

We really enjoyed our stay. Everything was beyond expectation. The breakfast was delicious and the owner went out of her way to ensure we had information as well as suggestions to make our vacation better.

8/10

Excellent

23 Apr 2025

Georgia

Good value but lacking in a few areas

I booked the single room with shared bathroom - it was very affordable and the room was basic, so it was good value. However, it didn’t feel very clean - the window ledge was dirty with hairs and mould, and when I filled the mug for tea, there were several hairs floating on top :( the towel folded on the bed was also damp which wasn’t very reassuring.

The check in process was okay, but it would've been nice to be shown to the room and bathroom as I was left to figure it out by myself. The hotel is quite noisy and I was disturbed whenever someone entered or exited, or had a conversation in the reception area.

The room was also very damp so maybe a dehumidifier could be a good investment?

Overall the stay was okay for the price, very well located in Carlisle and the bed was comfy. It was good value but I think I would only want to stay for one night.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

20 Apr 2025

Randy

Nice but noisy

Quite loud. The people above us sounded like a football club walking around.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Apr 2025

Robert

The property was beautifully presented and our host could not do enough to ensure we had a lovely stay. Communication before and during our stay was exceptional.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2025

THOMAS

Very convenient to everything in a central location and a very welcoming host.

2/10

Poor

05 Feb 2025

Gamal

Profit over Decency

I arrived at about 6:30 pm. The weather was cold, close to zero. The owner Melanie carried out the check in procedure through the intercom (very strange). She said she was outside and would be back in 10m. Inside it was tidy and with character and pretty cold, to be honest a couple of degrees better than outside. I went to the room which was nice but very cold. All heating was turned off, assuming trying to save on bills to maximise profit. Melanie showed me how to turn on the radiator, success. The room was good size and would take ages to warm up. I waited until 9 pm, the room was even colder as the radiator was off again. At this stage I realised the heating is controlled by the owner from their quarter downstairs. I talked to her daughter, presumably, and she said she will turn the heating on. I asked if I could have a second heater, she said she would double check, whatever that meant. I went back to the room and the radiator started to warm again. I was still sitting next to the radiator waiting for the room to warm up so that I could freshen up and get ready to bed but by 11pm I realised the heating was off again. This frustrated me but I was reluctant to disturb Melanie and her family so late. As I am working the next day, I booked a room in another hotel and l left. I asked for a refund but Melanie refused, She cares more about money and profit than the comfort of the guests, shame on you.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

12 Dec 2024

Lisa

So cosy and welcoming. Just a 10 minutes walk from station with cases (at 10:30pm) felt very safe and lovely host. Beds were sooo comfy, we all slept like logs.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Aug 2024

Michael

Lovely accommodation and considerate host. Geat breakfast too!

Self

10/10

Exceptional

18 Aug 2024

Tracey

The property is very convenient for M6 and there is free parking. We received a warm welcome from the owner. The little extras also made us feel very welcome and were appreciated, especially the fresh coffee and cafetière in our room. Our room was clean and the beds were comfortable. We will definitely try to stay here again on our next trip to Scotland.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Jul 2024

Stephen

Very welcoming, lovely breakfast, very clean and warm and friendly

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jul 2024

Stephen

Very welcoming, clean and central, great breakfast.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2024

Rachael

I absolutely LOVED my overnight stay at Cartref! My room was so lovely- spacious, bright, airy, and spotlessly clean everywhere. The furniture in my room was all very tasteful, useful and modern; and the bed was super comfortable, with immaculately clean white bedding. Melanie (the owner) is so friendly, welcoming, and caring about her guests- this really shows in her great attention to detail in all areas of the property.
The en-suite bathroom was beautifully clean and stylish with excellent quality local toiletries, plenty of towels, an excellent shower and a gorgeously soft bathrobe and slippers. There was a mini fridge in the room, containing bottles of chilled water and fresh milk for a cuppa. Plenty of teabags, coffee and hot chocolate by the kettle, and even a cute little jar of marshmallows to add to the hot chocolate. My room had two smart comfy chairs and a little coffee table; as well as a handy dressing table. The lighting was all great, and there were plenty of places to plug in chargers, hairdryer etc.
There is a great breakfast menu to choose from, and it was really pleasant to sit in the pretty dining room the next morning. My breakfast was really tasty, and it was lovely to have a whole pot of tea served rather than just the usual cup with a teabag and a tiny pot of hot water!
I can't fault Cartref; it's a short walk from the train station/short walk into town and a lovely place to stay. I will definitely book to stay again next time I visit Carlisle!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2024

Marc

Practical accommodation for short stay

Good accomodation near Hadrian’s Wall path. Close to city center (7 min walk)

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

01 Jul 2024

Francis

The property was quirky and no personal check in was unusual but worked well. The standard of the room was excellent and very comfortable. The guest house is very close to the town centre, being only 10 minutes walk away. There is also a good dog walking area very close to the property by the river.

Leisure Pet

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jul 2024

Stu

Amazing accomodation.
Great breakfast as well. Worth a stay.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Jun 2024

Louise

One of the best we’ve stayed in, very friendly staff, dog was welcome and room was very thoughtfully decorated, big mugs, fantastic shower and good layout. Only thing we didn’t like was the loo light coming on automatically, so in the middle of the night it shone into the bedroom.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 May 2024

Corrie

Nice location! The host was friendly but be prepared to pay cash for your stay, we didn’t know this until we got there.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 Mar 2024

Stephen

Really handy location for the town centre and far enough away where you can park without issue (permits provided by the host).

Had constant communication from our host regarding arrival, stay, parking & dining.

Can't fault at all, have recommended to others travelling down & will definitely be considered for future stays when we are in the area.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Mar 2024

Amy

Lovely place to stay. Room was immaculate, we were greeted upon arrival, the location is right in the centre.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2024

Verified traveler

Recommended

Nice comfortable room, great service, would recommend.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

22 Oct 2023

Michael

Fantastic stay and host, will definitely be back 10/10

Self

8/10

Excellent

08 Oct 2023

Christopher

Well-appointed, friendly owners

A very well-appointed guest house, about 15 minutes walk from the railway station. It is on a very busy road and crossing during peak hour can be a bit tricky.

Very friendly staff and great rooms, with plenty of inclusions.

We didn’t have breakfast so can’t comment on that.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Sep 2023

Stephen

Clean , Quiet and nice breakfast.

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2023

Thomas

Everything was perfect.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2023

Jennifer

Attention to detail

This guest house was beautiful
Attention to detail was awesome
You could tell the pride Melanie took I her establishment

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jul 2023

Daryl

Everything about the property was welcoming. Room was comfortable with lots of nice touches and breakfast was very good. Great value for money.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jun 2023

Gordon

Best in Carlisle

Absolute brilliant, best ive stayed in the area. Room was perfect with extras you do t get anywhere else

Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 May 2023

Adam

Great stay!
Very caring and hospitable management.
The room was very clean and comfortable
Would highly recommend to anyone

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

26 May 2023

Geoffrey

Ideal location. Excellent breakfast.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

11 May 2023

Janet

A lot of guest houses are a bit run down or “tired” but not this one. Spotless clean and beautifully decorated, we enjoyed our stay!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Apr 2023

Hugo

Very nice room and nice customer service!
The bathroom was a little bit small.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

11 Apr 2023

Verified traveler

Great location

Great place to stay, good central location

Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Mar 2023

Lyla

We had a lovely stay there!

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

01 Dec 2022

Louise

Great Stay.

Clean, comfy, modern. Love the attention to detail and the little extras you don’t receive staying at a mainstream hotel. Would definitely stay again.

Business

8/10

Excellent

23 Nov 2022

Verified traveler

Lovely find

Stayed in a triple room for my Daughters graduation. Warm welcome on arrival by Melanie. The room had everything in needed for a comfortable stay. The hot water bottle and foot spa were a welcome bonus. Room was a little cold as the heating only seemed to be on at certain times but it is November and its a big house. Would stay again if in the area.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Nov 2022

Janet

Good, clean guesthouse, lots of personal touches. Lovely breakfast and great host

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2022

Chantel

I loved all the little prints and signs with pearls of wisdom on them both in my room and dotted around the public areas of the guesthouse.

And they really excelled themselves with their in-room tea and coffee making facilities and complimentary guest toiletries- they thought of everything and more besides.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Apr 2022

S

Excellent

It’s just a delightful place to stay. Easy walk into town. My room was comfortable and full of little touches and extras that made it more homely. Can’t recommend it highly enough just outstanding

Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2022

Adrian

Family Run, Great Service. Excellent Breakfast

Excellent Overall, Family Friendly Service. Close to Work (The Sands Centre). Great Breakfast.

Business

8/10

Excellent

01 Mar 2022

Brenda

Restful Respite Overnight Stay

Central to area everything on your doorstep..&an attention to detail 4 star b&b …Melanie is a fantastic host with all she does for guests.This was a spur of the moment much needed respite break…I was taken by surprise with an upgrade from my usual room I stay in…both rooms are lovely room 6 has a shared shower room&toilet&room 8 had an en-suite…the room was so nice I stayed in b&b from arriving till departure…there was a foot spa in the wardrobe.complimentary bag with elmis shampoo&conditioner&shower gel along with a pack of tissues&a boxed shower cap&another wee box with a sewing kit!cotton wool balls&a mini nail file.as well as 2 twining sleep tea bags .there also was a notebook&pen&a cute homemade shortbread bagged&ribboned along with a biscuit in the China mug…2 bottles of water in the fridge as well as a bottle of milk& a chocolate biscuit&a bag of nuts…bathrobe and a hot water bottle …as. Well as a cute bag of mini mallows to go with hot chocolate…breakfast was as usual a great variety of choice and cooked to perfection.i would encourage anyone reading this to visit as you won’t be disappointed…

Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Nov 2021

Timothy

Very friendly staff.

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

14 Oct 2021

Verified traveler

Lovely guest house in the centre of Carlisle

I had a lovely stay at the Cartref Guest House. My room was immaculate and I loved all the small touches, for example; little jar of sweets by the bed, water in a carafe in the fridge and a goodie bag of toiletries. A comfortable bed, great shower and I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the area. Thank you!

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2021

Emily

Hidden gem of hotel!

Lovely room and bed, loads of little extras in the room including a cafetiere!! The shower was compact but fit the job. Room completely adorable will definitely stay here again!

Business

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2021

Andrew

Lovely decor,had a nice stay

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Sep 2021

Kate

Very welcoming

Overnight stay on way back from Scottish holiday.
Very welcoming, comfortable and secure with good breakfast available.
Ideally placed for town centre restaurants.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Aug 2021

Brenda

Rebooked immediately

Melanie was a great host…home from home with an amazing breakfast.all the added extras in the room where so nice…esp the fridge sink and robe and elmis

Self

8/10

Excellent

24 Aug 2021

Daren

Lovely host.

I booked a last minute room at this hotel for one night. Good communication front Melanie. I was allowed to park my motorcycle in the rear yard which I was grateful for. There is additional on street parking for cars if required. The room itself had everything you needed including a number of complimentary items (sweets, milk, tea and coffee) and toiletries, a small fridge, TV, bathrobe and towels. The room also had a sink as my room had a shared bathroom. The breakfast, for £7.50, was AMAZING, see pics. My only reservation was the cleanliness, there was some dust in the room which, unfortunately, appeared to have been there for some time and as there were a number of young adults staying in the hotel the bathroom perhaps wasn’t as clean as I’d hoped it could be. Great location for the city centre. Overall I'd stay here again.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jul 2021

John

Great recharge

I received self check in details that was greatly received as i was working late that evening. The room was great quality and there were some great thoughtful touches throughout. Breakfast was great, service was awesome.

Business

6/10

Pleasant

24 Jul 2021

Verified traveler

The welcome was good the welcome pack great even treats for the dogs. The room was up three flights of stairs, a nightmare with two dogs. It was the hottest day so the room was very hot even with the fan provided The window had to be open so it was very noisy from vehicle traffic as it was right on a busy road.

Leisure Pet

8/10

Excellent

23 Jun 2021

RAYMOND

Active elderly couple in their seventies

Very well looked after, attention to detail,excellent breakfast. Close to town centre but area a bit rough but some top restaurants close buy in walking distance

Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Jun 2021

David

Week end jaunt

Enjoyed the stay, people were nice and friendly. Not a critism and I get the theme but a tad gloomy. But would deffo stay again if I'm up that way.
Thanks Guys

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Aug 2020

Locke

Exemplar service and excellent room!

Couldn’t have asked for more for the price, with a great location in relation to the centre.

Would definitely stay here again if We are back up there.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Aug 2020

Chloe

Bedroom was lovely and clean. Bathroom was very clean and had a brilliant lighted and heated mirror and shower with different coloured lights in it. We were provided fresh towels and a goodie bag with essentials in it like shampoo and a sewing kit and even a little cake when we went in. Dog friendly and had breakfast which was excellently priced at £5 and was delicious. Would definitely recommend and will be returning.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Aug 2020

Yvonne

Brilliant

Lovely hotel rooms are beautiful. Owners friendly and very helpful. Lots of little extras make all the difference thankyou

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jul 2020

michael

Great stay in Carlisle, highly recommended.

Tricky time with covid but hotel had great plan and perfect communications, well organised and professional.

Business

8/10

Excellent

25 Jun 2020

Keith GORDON

Nice place for a night stop.

All fine, nice place.
Did not meet the people running this place due to Covid-19 restrictions, but all was organised well, room was fine, would happily stay again

Business