Look local: Carlisle borders on perfection

Carlisle in Cumbria lies at the confluence of the rivers Eden, Caldew and Petteril, 10 miles south of the Scottish border and is located just a mile south of Hadrian’s Wall.

According to a survey of around 25,000 people by the property website Rightmove, the residents of Carlisle are the ‘happiest at home’ in the UK.

Tim Harper, optometrist and co-owner of K France Opticians with fellow optometrist Martin Golden, describes the city as ‘small and brilliant’ with ‘great history’ and beautiful surrounding countryside.

K France Opticians is located in a grade II listed building in the Chatsworth and Portland Squares Conservation area, which Harper says ‘helps to define the practice’ and ‘set it apart from the high street competition’. Due to the independent’s location and proximity to other cities, Golden has supported the Hospital Eye Service with a Cosmetic and Therapeutic Contact Lenses clinic for 29 years. The practice also provides OCT, Corneal Topography and Ortho K lenses. Frames brands include Maui Jim and Silhouette and it has been a Zeiss and Varilux lens specialist for many years.