It comprises two towers, both of which are Grade I listed buildings: the Nisi Prius Courthouse[1] and the former Crown Court.

[2] The citadel was commissioned by King Henry VIII to replace the medieval Botcher's gate,[3] which was a gateway through the city walls.

[3] The Western Tower was completely rebuilt to designs by Thomas Telford and Sir Robert Smirke and converted for use as the Crown Court in 1822.

[9] The citadel ceased to function as a judicial facility after the new Courts of Justice in Earl Street was completed in 1992.

[11] The county council submitted proposals to the Government for funding to redevelop the Citadel area in April 2016[12] and published a plan to convert it into a campus for the University of Cumbria in May 2020.