Burgh by Sands
Potted history
Burgh by Sands has numerous Roman remains. This was a vital strategic point, where troops were stationed to guard the two nearby Solway fords which were used by Scottish raiding parties. King Edward I (The Hammer of the Scots) died here on July 7th 1307, and his body was laid out in the village. The church is built on the site of the Roman Fort - Aballva. Out in the marshes you will find a sandstone monument erected in his honour, at the place he died whilst waiting to cross the river to subdue Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland. His long campaign resulted in considerable destruction and death in the Lake District and as a consequence local communities, determined to resist further massacre, built defensive structures known as Pele Towers. These included massive church towers here and at St Michaels at Bowness, which also doubled up as bell towers.
Shopping in Burgh - the local supermarket!
Route information
You continue along the line of the Roman Road to Drumburgh. The remains of the railway runs on your left and the wall, which was probably built of earth in this area, is over across the marshes on the right. When the new town of Silloth was created in 1854, with a deepwater dock into the Solway, the railway was again modified with a new line from Drumburgh through to Silloth. Then the construction of the Bowness-on-Solway Railway Viaduct so altered the deepwater channels that Port Carlisle silted up and was abandoned. The branch line though was maintained as a Victorian tourist route with horse drawn Dandy carriages from Drumburgh.
Accommodation
| Hillside Farm, Boustead Hill, Burgh by Sands, Carlisle CA5 6AA | |
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Charming Georgian Grade II listed farmhouse with bunkhouse in a splendidly converted stable. Stunning views across the marshes and sands to Scotland. You can leave your car here and there's a secure lock-up. Drying facilities. |
Run by: Sandra Rudd 
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01228 576398 |
Rooms : 1D/T, 1T |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Hope & Anchor, Port Carlisle, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 5BU | |
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Family owned country pub with home cooked food (Liz does the catering) and three real ales, mostly from a 20-mile radius. There's a secure lock-up and a boiler room for drying out kit. Part of the Cyclists Welcome scheme. Very obliging and right on the route. |
Run by: Dougie & Liz Hill 
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016973 51460 |
Rooms : 1T, 1F (4 singles). |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Hesket House, Port Carlisle, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 5BU | |
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'Nothing is too much trouble,' says Debs. This Grade II listed Georgian house was once the Steam Packet Inn when Port Carlisle was known as Fishers' Cross. Wonderful views in a wonderful part of the world. Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the USA, once stayed at the Steam Packet. |
Run by: Debs & David Hutton 
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016973 51876 or 07980 857086 |
Rooms : 1F, 2Tpl. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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