Bowness-on-Solway

At the western end of Hadrian’s Wall Bowness on Solway was the location of the Roman fort Maia and guarded the approach from the Solway. The village is built on the site of the fort and Roman stones can be seen in the local buildings, including the Norman church of St. Michael.


It is also part of the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and home to nationally and internationally important species. It is a great place for walking, cycling, and bird watching and there are several nature reserves nearby, such as Campfield Marsh RSPB reserve, South Solway Mosses NNR, Finglandrigg Wood NNR, and Drumburgh Moss.


The Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail, starts (or ends) here; a long-distance footpath with 84 miles (135km) of glorious walking that includes stunning coastlines, rugged moorland, rolling fields and the dynamic cities of Carlisle and Newcastle. It is best walked between May and October when walkers can collect stamps for the Summer Passport to prove that they have walked the Trail.