ENGLISH Heritage sites across the country will be welcoming refugees 'from any background' into their sites free of charge, they have just announced. 

When considering Carlisle, this will open sites such as Carlisle Castle, Lanercost Priory and sites along Hadrian's Wall, as they charity are 'determined' to offer a generous welcome to arriving refugees. 

An English Heritage spokesperson confirmed: "English Heritage is welcoming refugees into our sites free of charge. Across Britain, people are extending a warm and generous welcome to refugees, and we at English Heritage are determined to play our part.

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"From gatherings at prehistoric henges, to soldiers from faraway lands stationed on Hadrian's Wall, and medieval pilgrims and wayfarers being received at monasteries, our sites have a long history of offering hospitality, and we want to honour that tradition today.

"We think that our sites represent some of the 'best of Britain', places whose age, beauty and atmosphere can provide comfort in an uncertain world. Sharing them is the right thing to do," they said. 

Both Cumbria Tourism and Carlisle City of Sanctuary welcomed the move. 
Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism said: "Cumbria is world renowned as a warm and welcoming county and this is a lovely and important gesture from English Heritage." 

Adrienne Gill, from the Carlisle City of Sanctuary group, said: "The Carlisle City of Sanctuary group welcomes this move to waive fees for people seeking sanctuary at some of our local English Heritage castles, museums and monuments. We look forward to introducing them to refugees and asylum seekers who have come from all over the world to make Carlisle their home." 

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