Tullie Street Museum: Searching for Simmonds

Saturday 12 September to Sunday 22 November 2026

Over 20 Tullie artefacts are out and about in locations in Carlisle. There is a casket, a nest, an egg cup and an egg, a school blazer, two marionettes, a model of a train, a painted market scene, a Roman altar, a sculpture, some bells, a wooden golden beaver, a Design and Industry mural, Paddington Bear and a dinosaur tooth, a teapot and candlesticks, an eagle owl, a miners lamp and a mineral, a copy of a custard cream, a Roman comb and coin, a purse – and a very special cat called Simmonds.

Have you seen any of the objects? There are lots of little cats out looking too. There are cats with clues at each location, if you find an object you’ll find a clue to another venue.

We’ve plotted each venue on the map, but we’re not telling you exactly where each object can be found. Look out for the bright orange posters in each location. Each venue has chosen the object because it’s special to them. What might they have chosen, and can you match them successfully?  Where might Simmonds be lounging?

20 Clues for 20 Locations

  1. Did we mention Simmonds? This very special cat loves books and cosy nooks and he’s found a place where there is a book for everyone
  2.  A prehistoric object and a cuddly toy, are in a place specially created for the younger generation of Carlisle
  3. Where might a 500 year old money box and some very old coins be kept safely today?
  4. A sculpture with a rich, dark presence is lighting up a wonderfully creative local organisation
  5. An object that symbolises school and learning can be found in a special place full of books and cosy nooks
  6. Do you know where the nation’s favourite stained-glass window is? If you find that, you’ll be close to another rather special object
  7. Sound and feel helped people at this location choose their musical object.
  8. Will a beautiful Roman object representing wealth and good fortune bring luck to Carlisle this season?
  9. An object that celebrates the heart of a town, can be found at the heart of our town.
  10. For years this fella lived above a shop at 69 English Street. Today he looks after the cats with clues
  11. Something soft and safe at a place where people are making Carlisle home
  12. A bright yellow shop front and a pink gate: two tiny objects here.
  13. The Romans loved to race with horses and chariots – racing today doesn’t include chariots, but horses still win prizes!
  14. Where might you go in Carlisle for a good show? More Tullie objects to be found in a place where performances regularly draw in a crowd.
  15. An owl is one of the most popular images to have as a tattoo. Tu-whit, tu-whoo, who tattoos you?
  16. Looking for a hair do? Inspiration from a coin and a rather special comb are very close by
  17. Travelling home, you might find yourself in a place of comings and goings for almost 200 years, where a beautiful object tells a local story that is still largely unsung
  18. A lovely Tullie object is located with a local business, established in 1835 with a global reputation for quality
  19. A little collection of ceramics where people gather for good health and wellbeing
  20. From the deepest darkest place, where might you find things that sparkle and shine?

Bonus Object! In 1831, a Mr Carr got busy in Carlisle. We’ve been enjoying biscuits ever since and there’s now a very large one to be found – just don’t try and eat it!

cat and books
cat and books
cat in the sun
cat in the sun
cats out
cats out

Found a Cat?

Some tiny handmade cats are out of the bag.

They’re knitted, crocheted, felted or fashioned from balls of wool and wire, while others are formed from rolled paper and tape. These tiny cats love art and books and cosy nooks and smiling faces in special places.

This is an adventure-loving little cat. Take it somewhere special then photograph it and let us know! Share and tag us on social media if you’ve found a cat – we’re @tulliecarlisle.

Then, let your little feline loose in the city for someone else to find, or entrust them to someone to take them on another adventure.

If you haven’t found a cat yet…..

No problem, you can make your own! They’re easy and fun to create, in fact there’s no ‘right’ way of making one. If you fashion a miniature feline, share a photograph of your own creation out and about in Carlisle.

Tullie Street Museum is part of Project Tullie, a ten-year plan to transform the museum. As Border Galleries are being redeveloped, we’re excited to share the collections with people in Carlisle in a different way, and in a venue that is meaningful for them.

This project is possible through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.