Guildhall Museum, Carlisle, England United Kingdom

Carlisle's oldest domestic city centre building. The building is nearly 600 years old and has survived largely intact through wars, fires and re-building. Its unique atmosphere gives a sense of the rich heritage Carlisle keeps within the heart of the city.

The Guildhall was originally a row of shops and workshops attached to a wealthy merchant's house. It has been owned by Carlisle City Council since the 1400s and is now home to a museum of civic history.

For many years, the upper floors of the Guildhall had been used by Carlisle's Trade guilds for their meetings. The eight Guilds (butchers, merchants, shoemakers, skinners and glovers, smiths, tailors, tanners and weavers) began as specialist trade associations, a mixture of trade union, political pressure group and drinking club.

Each Guild had its own rituals and rules and many of their treasures can be seen on display in The Guildhall. The Guilds have survived to the present day. Although only four are still active, the traditional Ascension Day celebrations, 40 days after Easter, are still marked with the hanging of the Guild banners.