Formed in 1898 in the village of Carlton, north of Nottingham and was taken over by Raleigh in 1960. Carlton cycles was run by Gerald O'Donavan, son of the previous owner of Carlton, who eventually set up Raleigh's special products division. Carlton bicycles are always seen as top quality and exclusive.

Carlton was always associated closely with the racing aspect of cycling, helping to keep designs up to date with the latest development, and having access to the very best test riders around. Carlton bicycles won many World Championship, Olympic games, Commonwealth games and National championship medals.