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Bert Vinyl Vibes Bert Vinyl — North East UK photographer & storyteller. Photos, history, kindness & silly moments with heart.

If one post made you smile today or feel less alone… that’s the legacy there! 😁
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“Carlisle Cathedral: The Grounds Before the Glory”Even before stepping inside Carlisle Cathedral, the grounds feel like ...
02/06/2026

“Carlisle Cathedral: The Grounds Before the Glory”

Even before stepping inside Carlisle Cathedral, the grounds feel like their own little world — full of history, character, and those gorgeous old buildings that make you stop and stare.

1 & 2 — Cathedral Exterior
Hard to believe Carlisle Cathedral is one of the smallest in the UK, because from these angles it looks absolutely mighty. Originally built as a Norman Priory Church in 1122, it became a cathedral in 1133. Its west front and huge Gothic window are standout features — including the largest Flowing Decorated Gothic window in England.
3 & 4 — Mam & Me
Tourist mode activated again — posing in the arches and soaking in the atmosphere before heading inside.
5 — The Medieval Arch
This surviving arch is part of the old monastic buildings from when the site was an Augustinian Priory. Fragments like this date back to the 13th century and once formed part of the Priory of St Mary.
6, 7 & 8 — The Little Historic Buildings
The precinct is full of gems:
• The Fratry — a 15th‑century refectory for the canons, now beautifully restored.
• The Deanery & Prior’s Tower — both 15th‑century buildings once home to senior clergy.
• Bishop Smith’s Registry — built in 1699 as the diocese’s administrative centre.
Together they give the grounds that “hidden village inside a city” feeling.
9 — A Quiet Moment
A peaceful corner of the graveyard — weathered stones, soft greenery, and centuries of stories.What’s your favourite part of exploring historic places — the grand architecture, the hidden corners, or the little buildings with big stories?





"Where the Fratry Whispers and the Centuries Stir" ☕Continuing on with the Carlisle content — today we’re stepping into ...
01/06/2026

"Where the Fratry Whispers and the Centuries Stir" ☕

Continuing on with the Carlisle content — today we’re stepping into the Cathedral precinct, but not quite into the Cathedral itself. This gorgeous spot is the Cathedral Fratry, home to the Cathedral’s official café and one of the most atmospheric places we popped into during the trip.

The Fratry has been part of Carlisle’s story for centuries. Originally built in the 14th century as the dining hall for the monks of the priory, it’s one of the oldest surviving parts of the Cathedral complex. After years of restoration work, the building reopened to the public in 2020, bringing new life to this historic space while keeping its medieval character beautifully intact.

We only stopped in for a drink and a quick snap, but I couldn’t resist wandering around and taking in the details — the stonework, the arches, the sense of history wrapped around every corner. The café itself is fantastic, with the choice to sit in the modern seating area, head into the actual Fratry Hall, or go downstairs into the atmospheric Undercroft. I’d have loved the chance to try more of the food options, but that just means one thing… another trip back to Carlisle is definitely on the cards.

What’s your favourite kind of historic building to explore — cathedrals, castles, libraries, or something completely different?





"Thankful for Every Like, Grateful for Every Smile!" 😄 It’s been such a joy taking the socials more seriously this year ...
31/05/2026

"Thankful for Every Like, Grateful for Every Smile!" 😄

It’s been such a joy taking the socials more seriously this year — sharing, editing, and connecting through photography has become one of my favourite creative outlets.
We’re just 15 Likes away from hitting the page goal, and every bit of support means the world.
Thank you for being part of the journey — keep sharing, Liking, and spreading the Bert Vinyl Vibes love 💛





"A Warm Welcome Under the Old Town Hall”Continuing on with the little getaway to Carlisle last week — today’s all about ...
31/05/2026

"A Warm Welcome Under the Old Town Hall”

Continuing on with the little getaway to Carlisle last week — today’s all about one of the dining spots we absolutely fell in love with.

Tucked underneath the Old Town Hall building (which is now the Tourist Information Centre… and yes, we will be coming back to that in another post 😜) sits a brilliant little café called Espresso Hub. Warm, friendly staff, comfy seating inside and out, right across from the hotel (hey Crown and Mitre Hotel 😘), lovely food options, and all inside such an interesting historic building — it quickly became our go‑to place for the whole trip.

These photos are from our very first visit, when we’d just checked into the hotel and desperately needed food and a proper chill. Espresso Hub delivered exactly what we needed, and I’d genuinely recommend it to anyone planning a visit to Carlisle.

Have you ever visited Espresso Hub before, or do you have another favourite café in Carlisle? ☕


Espresso Hub
Love Carlisle

29/05/2026

"Trainspotting in Carlisle: The Video"

A continuation of my Trainspotting in Carlisle: The Photos post — this time in motion.
Two clips from the platforms inside Carlisle Station, and two filmed as trains roll out along the lines beyond the city.
A mix of passenger services and heavy freight, each with its own sound and pace.
Just a quiet look at the character of Carlisle’s railways, both inside the station and out on the open stretch.





"Trainspotting in Carlisle: The Photos"Over our three days in Carlisle, I ended up taking some of my favourite trainspot...
29/05/2026

"Trainspotting in Carlisle: The Photos"

Over our three days in Carlisle, I ended up taking some of my favourite trainspotting shots ever. I knew Carlisle was packed with history, but what I didn’t expect was just how much of a trainspotter’s paradise it is — freight, passengers, colours, angles, the lot. I’m no Francis Bourgeois like, but I reckon he’d give these a little nod of approval all the same.

What’s the best unexpected place you’ve ever discovered for trainspotting or photography?





"Carlisle Station - Citadel of the Rails" 🚂 Carlisle was already shaping up to be a brilliant little getaway with Mam, b...
29/05/2026

"Carlisle Station - Citadel of the Rails" 🚂

Carlisle was already shaping up to be a brilliant little getaway with Mam, but one thing I knew I wanted to capture for yous all was the station itself. I’ve been into trains since I was little — proper fascinated by them — so after learning a bit about Carlisle Station’s history, I was practically buzzing to see it in person.

Carlisle Station, officially known as Carlisle Citadel, opened in 1847 and was designed by the famous architect Sir William Tite. It was built as a grand joint station for two rival railway companies who, believe it or not, were forced to share the same building by Parliament. The result is this stunning mix of Victorian stonework, soaring arches, and later additions of glass and steel that give it that old‑meets‑modern charm you can see in the photos.

It became a major crossroads of the north — linking Scotland, the Lake District, Newcastle, Leeds, and beyond — and it’s still one of the most important stations on the West Coast Main Line today. Standing there, surrounded by the architecture, the rumble of trains, and the history layered into every platform, it felt like stepping into a living museum of British rail.

So here are a few of my favourite shots from exploring Carlisle Station — a place that’s every bit as atmospheric as the stories behind it.

If you could teleport to any station in the UK right now, purely for the vibes, where are you going?






Network Rail
Avanti West Coast

"The Historical Plague Series: Thomas Bewick (1753–1828)So I really hope you’ve all been enjoying the Carlisle content a...
28/05/2026

"The Historical Plague Series: Thomas Bewick (1753–1828)

So I really hope you’ve all been enjoying the Carlisle content as much as I’ve loved sharing it... and trust me, there's a lot more to go!? 😄
However, for today’s Historical Plague Series, we’re heading back in time — and back to Newcastle — where me, Tom and Leah discovered this plague dedicated to Thomas Bewick during our Newcastle adventure out hunting for plaques a few weeks back.

Born in 1753 in Northumberland, Bewick became one of the most influential wood engravers in British history. His groundbreaking illustrations for A History of British Birds didn’t just change natural history art — they inspired generations of artists, writers and nature lovers. His tiny engravings were so detailed people joked he could fit a whole world onto a thumbnail.

The plaque marks the site of the workshop where Bewick worked from around 1790. This little corner of Newcastle was once alive with the sound of engraving tools, copperplates and the steady craft that made Bewick famous across the country. From here, he trained apprentices, produced prints that travelled far beyond the North East, and helped shape the artistic identity of the region.

Standing there with Tom and Leah, looking up at the plaque tucked into the brickwork, it’s wild to think how much history sits quietly on the streets we walk every day.
Starting this Plague Series has genuinely made me value these stories more with every step.

What hidden bits of history have you spotted around your own city lately?





"Wandering Through Bitts Park" ⭐I took so much content on our little Carlisle getaway last week that I could fill the so...
27/05/2026

"Wandering Through Bitts Park" ⭐

I took so much content on our little Carlisle getaway last week that I could fill the socials for ages — but today it’s all about Bitts Park. This beautiful Victorian park sits beside the River Eden, with roots going back to 1818 when unemployed weavers created the first riverside path. It opened to the public in 1893 as the People’s Park before becoming the Bitts Park we know today.

Here are seven of my favourite moments from our wander:

1. Bitts Park Sign — Fresh from the Castle and absolutely shattered, so Mam suggesting “let’s walk to the park” was a shock… but I’m glad she did.
2 & 3. Tourist Mode Activated — Me and Momsie couldn’t resist the oversized mosaic chairs at the entrance. Probably gave the roundabout traffic a giggle 🤣
4. Old Park Building — Spotted this colourful, boarded‑up place and still wondering what it once was.
5. The Bandstand — Snapped during an early‑morning wander when I somehow ended up back in the park again.
6. Under Eden Bridge — A Grade I listed sandstone beauty from the early 1800s. Finding the path beneath it felt a bit magical.
7. Look Out Over — One last peaceful view before we wrapped up our walk. Such a calm little gem of a park.

What’s your favourite hidden gem you’ve discovered on a trip? ☺️





🌿 "Where Our Little Escape Began"So this time last week, Momsie and me had our first little getaway together in years — ...
26/05/2026

🌿 "Where Our Little Escape Began"

So this time last week, Momsie and me had our first little getaway together in years — and we chose Carlisle, a place neither of us had ever been. You’ll be seeing a lot of Carlisle over the next few weeks, but to kick things off, here are my 8 favourite photos from the hotel we stayed at.

1. First Impressions — Arriving and seeing The Crown & Mitre for the first time. That building doesn’t just sit there… it towers. Proper awe‑striking.
2. Our Room — Spotless, comfy, and exactly what we needed… even if the corridor/room was hotter than the sun.
3. The Staircase — Those stained‑glass windows, that carpet, that history. Wild to think I walked the same steps as Queen Elizabeth II and Woodrow Wilson.
4. The Bar — We didn’t actually go for a drink, but the room itself was breathtaking.
5. The Mystery Room — No clue if I was even meant to be in here, but it was set up beautifully.
6. The Ballroom — I had to ask to peek inside, and the staff were lovely about it. I’m guessing it’s used for weddings, but I was just buzzing to see it.
7. Pool & Hot Tub — Tiny changing rooms aside, this was my favourite spot in the whole hotel. Being able to swim or just melt into the hot tub whenever you wanted… bliss.
8. Me & Momsie — The trip didn’t go exactly to plan, but this moment right here — just us two relaxing together — is the memory I’ll keep forever.

What’s the one hotel you’ve stayed in that completely surprised you?



Crown and Mitre Hotel
Love Carlisle

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