The Stunning Solway
THE Solway Firth is the third largest estuary in the UK, famous for stunning sunsets and a protected landscape with a sense of remoteness.
It's home to a wide variety of resident and visiting rare birds; it has historic sites of world importance, such as the Roman coastal defences linked to Hadrian's Wall and there's medieval sites such as that at Holm Cultram between Silloth and Wigton, once a Cistercian monastery with an abbey church bigger than Carlisle Cathedral.
Under way at Maryport this summer is an archaeological dig to find out more about the big second century Roman Cavalry fort there that guarded the south-west flank of Hadrian's Wall. If you want to know more about the Maryport Romans there's a Roman Festival, (July 16 - Aug 29) with enactments, living history days and children's activities, based on the award-winning museum. There's also the newly re-opened Maritime Museum which can tell you all about the town's seafaring past and its family links to the White Star Shipping Line, famous for the "Titanic".
Just a stroll away is the Lake District Coast Aquarium, winner of the Cumbria Tourism Visitor Attraction-of-the -Year, 2010, which focuses on the sea life of the Solway and provides a fascinating day out for children and has a great cafe. The town's golf course offers a links challenge with superb seaside view and Silloth has a fine seaside links too, with more stunning views. It's one of the top 50 UK courses. Silloth is a picturesque town with the Stanwix Park Holiday Village near-by. Sunday markets and car boot sales are held on the former wartime airfield.
The Solway Coast Discovery Centre is a gateway to the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It has a serious side, but also provides a light-hearted and informative look at the environment, heritage, history and development of the area. Visitors can meet Romans, Vikings and monks.
If you want to get close-up and personal a guided walk might be the answer. Informal guided rambles are run on the Solway shore near Allonby, by Ann Lingard. You can find out more about whelk eggs and worm-built reefs, underwater glues and mussel-power, sand dunes and sea-potatoes, submerged forests ... and much more. Walks usually start from Mawbray Banks car-park, opposite Bank Mill Nursery and Café, at Beckfoot and last up to two hours. Numbers are limited to 10 so book by phoning 016973 21967 and take advice about what to wear. Walks are free, but donations towards the guide's travel and publicity costs are gratefully received.
Other places of interest include The Ginn Case, Mawbray... a great tea-room, arts and crafts barn, art gallery and a farm park, packed with fun for children. Allonby offer wide open beaches and dunes and delicious home-made ice-cream ... and the all-important toilets!
