Where England and Scotland meet across stunning scenery and miles of coastline
The beautiful northern coast of Cumbria stretches inland from the Solway Firth dividing England from Scotland and Cumbria from Dumfries and Galloway. More of a region than an individual town, Solway boasts a pretty estuary, sandy beaches, mudflats teeming with birds, several nature reserves and stunning scenery in every direction. This hidden corner of Cumbria is home to the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated as such due to the uniqueness of its habitats, heritage and landscape. The small village of Bowness-on-Solway sits right on the seashore and is part of the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail which travels the length of the Wall from South Shields to Ravenglass and attracts many visitors each year who come to walk from fort to fort along this fascinating historic route. It is easy to reach the Lake District from here too and just a short drive will see you in Keswick or Cockermouth and amongst the peaks of the northern Lakes, where you’ll find the peaks of Blencathra, Skiddaw and the ever-popular Cat Bells.
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In the town itself there is a pub, The Kings Arms Bowness on Solway, and several cafes offering delicious baked treats. Accommodation in Bowness on Solway tends to be self-catering cottages that provide all the comforts of home with the benefit of the beautiful surroundings of northern Cumbria. Outlying villages offer a choice of traditional Cumbrian fare and further afield Carlisle boasts a range of restaurants, bars and takeaways featuring all the dining options you’d expect from a busy city centre, as well as plenty of visitor attractions, places to visit with the kids and interesting historic sites.
Nearby
In addition to Bowness-on-Solway, the seaside town of Silloth is situated on the northwestern tip of Cumbria offering coastal views inland across the estuary and out to sea along the Solway Firth. Further south you’ll find the village of Allonby which has miles of quiet sandy beach, followed by the larger towns of Maryport, Workington and Whitehaven which form a northern gateway to the Western Lakes.
Location
Visitors to Solway should take time to walk along the marsh paths, spot the protected wildlife, including the many bird species that can be found here, exploring the ancient Roman remains along the way. Besides the natural landscapes of the Solway Coast AONB, there are scenic walks exploring the local beaches, hiking trails along the coastal way or turn south to find both high- and low-level walks in the north of the Lake District.
