Solway plain past and present

Places to visit

Menu

Local Information

	HOLM CULTRAM ABBEY Abbeytown. Just off the B5307 Kirkbride road, in the centre of the village This beautiful Parish Church is all that remains of a vast Cistercian Monastery, dating from 1150. Several interesting grave slabs are exhibited in the annex which can be visited through the door on the right-hand side of the porch. Part of the old abbey has been excavated at the rear of the present church but most of the monastic remains lie buried in the field to the east of the graveyard. Usually open during daylight hours. Click here to visit our History pages for more details. DUE TO THE RECENT FIRE, THE ABBEY IS LIKELY TO REMAIN CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC FOR SOME TIME
	NEWTON ARLOSH CHURCH On the B5307 Abbeytown to Kirkbride road A unique fortified church in which the villagers could take refuge from the Border Raids. It was first established in 1304 as a ‘Chapel of Ease’ for Holm Cultram Abbey. The walls are enormously thick and the door is only 31 inches wide, making a forced entry very difficult. After the monks left, in 1538, the chapel fell into disrepair. It was restored and extended in 1843 and became a parish church in 1860. A useful leaflet outlining its history is on sale. Usually open during daylight hours.
	BECKFOOT QUAKER BURIAL GROUND On the B5300, just beside the bus stop The Quaker Meeting House has been converted into a private bungalow but the cemetery is open to the public. It was in use from around 1680 until 1990. The early Quakers did not mark their graves but, from the late 1700s, simple headstones were used. The upper part of the burial ground contains many monuments to local families who belonged to the Methodists and other non-conformist sects. A useful information board has been erected at the entrance.
	HADRIAN’S WALL Virtually nothing remains of the wall between Carlisle and the coast. However, the footpath which follows its line is a very pleasant walk and well sign-posted. Click here for full details on the walk. The best way to see the spectacular stretch east of Carlisle is to use the Hadrian’s Wall bus which leaves from the old courts, near Carlisle railway station. Between May and September, a Heritage Guide gives an on-board commentary. Daily Rover tickets are available, allowing passengers to alight at the main sites and continue their journey later. The museum at Vindolanda is quite outstanding and the forts at Birdoswald and Housesteads are also worth visiting. Bus times are available from Tourist Offices or by phone on 0870 608 2 608.
	EDDERSIDE Turn off the B5300 coast road at Old Kiln Farm, just north of Allonby A unique and unspoilt Cumbrian farming village. Click here to find out more
	SKINBURNESS AND GRUNE POINT (Just north of Silloth) The village has a long and fascinating history. Click here for full details. It lies at the south end of Grune Point, a nature reserve and a popular place for bird-watching. An easy walk around the point forms part of the Cumbrian Coastal Footpath. Click here to visit the "British Walks" website for full details of the path from Allonby to Angerton
	CROSSCANNONBY SALTPANS AND SWATHY HILL FORT on the B5300 coast road, two miles south of Allonby. Easy access and car parking for the Roman fort which overlooks the site of the "best-preserved direct-boiling salt works in England" dating from 1634.
	GINCASE ART GALLERY Follow the brown signs from the B5300 coast road between Beckfoot and Mawbray. Constantly changing displays by local artists with licensed restaurant and farm park. Click for more details

More Local Information

Local Links

CLICK HERE FOR TODAY'S HIGH TIDE TIMES AT SILLOTH AND MARYPORT

Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Silloth Tourist Information

Visit Cumbria website

Senhouse Roman Museum

Tullie House Museum, Carlisle

Return to top of page