Drumburgh, Cumbria

Although this walk follows the Hadrian’s Wall Path, there is little obvious evidence of the Wall along the Solway. Instead you can enjoy the far reaching views and birdlife of this tranquil area. Drumburgh is situated on a low hill overlooking the marshes (see the information panel at start/parking area). From here (NY269598), walk along the road into the village, passing Drumburgh Bastle on your L – a fortified medieval manor house (also known as Drumburgh Castle) built around 1307 using stone from Hadrian’s Wall. Just beyond, turn L along a no-through road, following the Hadrian’s Wall Path sign.

The track leads to a junction where the Path turns R, but it’s worth continuing in the same direction a short way (to just past Moss Cottage) to visit Drumburgh Moss National Nature Reserve – important for its lowland raised mire. There are information boards and a waymarked path leading to the viewing platform. Return to the junction and turn L. The track leads to Walker House farm, from where you continue along paths through fields to the road, turning R into Glasson.

Turn L opposite the Highland Laddie pub onto a track which lies along the line of the Vallum (originally a ditch flanked by mounds which ran parallel to Hadrian’s Wall to the south). At the entrance to the holiday park, turn R along the tarmac drive to the road. Cross the road and follow the path through the trees to Port Carlisle. There are better views to be had from the grassy foreshore (accessible through gaps in the trees).

As its name suggests, Port Carlisle (originally known as Fisher’s Cross) was developed as a port in 1819, with a canal linking it to Carlisle built a few years later. The canal closed in the mid-19th century (the remains of the entrance lock and the breakwater can still be seen) and was replaced by a railway, which was also later closed. The Path now follows the shoreline road for its final section to Bowness-on-Solway.

The very finish is reached by turning off the road, as signed, along a path to Banks Promenade. There are information boards at the shelter here about the history of the place (the fort at Bowness was the second largest on the Wall), the story of the Solway Viaduct, the Haaf netting and wildlife. Retrace your steps to the start or catch a bus back. (For a slightly shorter return walk follow the foreshore beyond Port Carlisle then the road – where it bears inland from the coast - back to Drumburgh.)