![]() |
A drive which includes Cumbria’s capital city Carlisle, Hadrian’s Wall and the attractive Irthing valley. The area has a fascinating history and plenty of associated interests, the highlight being some of the best preserved Roman remains in the country. |
![]() |
Summary of main attractions on route (click on name for detail) | ||
---|---|---|
Distance | Attraction | Car Park Coordinates |
0 miles | Carlisle | N 54.89652, W 2.94328 |
1.2 miles | Rickerby Park | N 54.90417, W 2.92775 |
8.7 miles | Solway Aviation Museum | N 54.94352, W 2.80572 |
13.3 miles | Brampton | N 54.94224, W 2.73432 |
17.1 miles | Lanercost Priory | N 54.96542, W 2.69728 |
18.8 miles | Banks East Turret | N 54.97548, W 2.66510 |
21.7 miles | Birdoswald Roman Fort | N 54.99155, W 2.60092 |
23.6 miles | Gilsland | N 54.98924, W 2.57952 |
33.2 miles | Talkin Tarn | N 54.92408, W 2.71355 |
34.9 miles | Gelt Woods | N 54.90867, W 2.73075 |
40.5 miles | Wetheral | N 54.88235, W 2.83356 |
46.6 miles | Carlisle | N 54.89652, W 2.94328 |
Distance: 0 miles Location: Carlisle, Devonshire Walk car park Coordinates: N 54.89652, W 2.94328
![]() |
Carlisle centre |
The impressive Carlisle Castle is over 900 years old and has been the focal point of many battles. It is now open to the public and includes the Cumbria Museum of Military Life. Across the road is the interesting Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery which tells more of the local history. Further towards the city centre are some wonderful attractions including Carlisle Cathedral, Guildhall Museum, St Cuthbert’s Church and the old West Walls. The city centre itself has some attractive buildings and a good pedestrianized shopping area. Devonshire Walk car park is adjacent to the castle and only a few minutes walk from the city centre.
Travelling:
Leave the car park and turn right along Devonshire Walk in the shadow of Carlisle Castle. Turn left on the A595 dual carriageway and soon meet the huge Hardwicke Circus roundabout where you take the first exit on the A7. Cross Eden Bridge and get in the right lane to take the next right turn at the traffic lights on the B6264. After approx 0.3 miles, take the first right turn which immediately leads over a cattle grid and enters the open parkland of Rickerby Park. The layby parking area is a short distance on the right.Distance: 1.2 miles Location: Carlisle, Rickerby Park Coordinates: N 54.90417, W 2.92775
![]() |
Rickerby Park |
Travelling:
Continue through the attractive parkland, passing the impressive war memorial on the right. Over a cattle grid, soon pass an octagonal Victorian folly on the left and continue approx 1.0 miles to cross the M6 motorway and enter the village of Linstock. Pass through the pleasant village and shortly beyond meet a roundabout. The drive continues via the third exit on the A689 towards Carlisle Airport. However, if you take the second exit towards the M6, in approx 1.0 miles is Houghton Hall Garden Centre which is an extensive and popular shopping experience, possibly worth a diversion. Back at the roundabout, continue eastwards on the A689. After approx 0.6 miles is another interesting diversion to Walby Farm Park attraction on the left. Back on the A689, continue approx 3.0 miles to take a left turn for Carlisle Airport. After approx 0.8 miles, take another left turn and approx 0.6 miles beyond is the entrance to Carlisle Airport. Just beyond that again, the next left turn is the entrance to Solway Aviation Museum.Distance: 8.7 miles Location: Solway Aviation Museum Coordinates: N 54.94352, W 2.80572
![]() |
Vulcan Bomber |
Travelling:
Retrace your steps back to the A689 and turn left towards Hexham. Soon pass The Golden Fleece pub and restaurant on the left and continue for approx 1.5 miles to take the left turn for Brampton. Shortly, enter Brampton town and continue towards the tower of St Martin’s Church. In front of the church turn right on the B6413 towards town centre. Soon enter the town centre and Market Place area where there are various parking spaces on the roadside.Distance: 13.3 miles Location: Brampton, Market Place Coordinates: N 54.94224, W 2.73432
![]() |
Brampton Market Place |
Travelling:
Leave the Market Place opposite the Nags Head pub and turn right at the following T junction on the A6071. After approx 0.3 miles, approach a large triangular green where you can turn left to Lanercost Priory. However, a small detour takes you via the historic Naworth Castle which is not open to the public but can be seen from the road. To do this, continue on the A6071 out of Brampton to a T junction with the A69 where you turn left. After approx 0.9 miles, turn left at a cross roads towards Lanercost. Over a cattle grid, enter the attractive Naworth estate with good open views. Descend to a sharp left turn in the road with Naworth Castle directly ahead. Continue on the narrow lane for approx 0.8 miles to a T junction and turn right. Cross the River Irthing adjacent to the wonderful old bridge which was built around 1724. Not far beyond is Lanercost Priory car park on the right.Distance: 17.1 miles Location: Lanercost Priory Coordinates: N 54.96542, W 2.69728
![]() |
Lanercost Priory |
There are also some pleasant grounds with free entry where you will find a gift shop, restaurant, picnic area and toilet facilities. A footpath leads from here across the fields to the attractive River Irthing and the nearby historic road bridge. Free car parking.
Travelling:
Leave the car park and turn right. The picturesque road follows the River Irthing valley and soon begins to climb towards Hadrian’s Wall. Shortly, pass through the small village of Banks which sits on the line of the Wall although there is no sign of it here. As you leave Banks, some wonderful views open up across the Irthing valley and you start a fascinating 3 mile section of road which follows the Wall and includes a number of associated fortifications. Very shortly you reach Banks East Turret car park on the right.Distance: 18.8 miles Location: Banks East Turret Coordinates: N 54.97548, W 2.66510
![]() |
Banks East Turret |
If you follow the footpath east from Banks East Turret for approx 100m you will find Pike Hill Signal Tower which again has some lower remains to explore. This predated Hadrian’s Wall by a few decades and was used to protect the Stanegate which was the nearby Roman Road running from Corbridge to Carlisle. Due to its important position it was later incorporated into the Wall. Free car parking and free entry to local Roman ruins.
![]() |
Piper Sike Turret |
Travelling:
Continuing the drive eastwards, there are two further turrets nearby which are also worth a visit. Leahill Turret 51b is approx 0.6 miles from Banks East and another 0.3 miles beyond that is Piper Sike Turret 51a. Both are adjacent to the road on the left with limited parking on the roadside. The milecastles 52, 51 and 50 are no longer visible. The only other visible turret along this stretch is 49b, on the right side of the road just before Birdoswald Fort. The car park for Birdoswald Fort is a short distance beyond the Fort on the right.Distance: 21.7 miles Location: Birdoswald Roman Fort Coordinates: N 54.99155, W 2.60092
![]() |
Birdoswald Roman Fort |
Travelling:
Exit the car park and turn right. Shortly, approach a T junction and turn right on the B6318 towards Gilsland. Continue approx 1.0 miles to another T junction, turn right, cross the River Irthing and enter the village of Gilsland. Continue on the minor road which bears right, climbs a small hill and passes the village school to the village car park on the left.Distance: 23.6 miles Location: Gilsland, village car park Coordinates: N 54.98924, W 2.57952
![]() |
Poltross Burn Milecastle |
In the opposite direction from the car park, a good footpath follows an interesting section of ruined Wall which includes the remains of Willowford turrets 48a and 48b, overlooking the River Irthing. The path then descends to the river and the remains of Willowford Bridge which was the old Roman bridge across the river. Over the river, the footpath climbs to Harrows Scar milecastle 49 and along the substantial section of Wall leading to Birdoswald Fort. Free car parking and free entry to local Roman ruins.
Travelling:
Exit the car park and turn left. Soon cross the Carlisle-Newcastle railway at a level crossing and continue approx 1.3 miles to a T junction with the A69. Turn right towards Carlisle on the straight main road with good views over the Irthing valley and beyond. Continue for just over 5 miles to take a right turn on the A6071 towards Brampton, the same road you left Brampton on earlier. In just under 1 mile, as you enter Brampton town take the left turn at the large triangular green towards Talkin Tarn. Very shortly, turn left at the T junction then immediate right, again towards Talkin Tarn. Proceed a short distance through the town suburbs to a T junction and turn left on the B6413. Continue out of Brampton for just over 1 mile, passing under the A69 and over a railway level crossing, to a minor road on the left which leads the short distance to Talkin Tarn car park.Distance: 33.2 miles Location: Talkin Tarn Country Park Coordinates: N 54.92408, W 2.71355
![]() |
Talkin Tarn |
Travelling:
Leave the car park on the minor lane to the T junction and turn left, back on the B6413. Continue for approx 1.0 miles, passing Brampton golf course, to a cross roads where you turn right towards Carlisle. The narrow road descends and soon enters woodland. Shortly beyond this the road approaches a mighty railway viaduct overhead and the roadside parking for Gelt Woods is underneath the viaduct on the right.Distance: 34.9 miles Location: Gelt Woods, Middle Gelt Bridge Coordinates: N 54.90867, W 2.73075
![]() |
River Gelt, Gelt Woods |
Travelling:
Continue over Middle Gelt Bridge and follow the road to the right towards Carlisle. Continue approx 0.9 miles to a T junction where you turn right. Good views open up ahead towards Carlisle and beyond. Shortly, pass an impressive looking tower attached to a farm on the right. This is known as Toppin Castle and is a private residence built in the mid 19th century. Approx 1.0 miles beyond, meet a T junction and turn right to enter the small village of Corby Hill. Turn left at the traffic lights on the main A69, pass a service station with shop and enter the adjoining village of Warwick Bridge. Continue through the village and soon cross the River Eden on the bridge which gave the village its name. Immediately take the left turn which is the B6263 towards Wetheral. The road follows the River Eden and enters Wetheral village after approx 1.2 miles. Continue a short distance through the village to a left turn towards the railway station, where the village shop is on the left and the village green is ahead. Roadside parking in this area.Distance: 40.5 miles Location: Wetheral, village green Coordinates: N 54.88235, W 2.83356
![]() |
Wetheral Priory Gatehouse |
A suggested short walk, visiting the majority of local attractions, leads from the village green past the village shop to the pretty railway station. Detour across the impressive railway viaduct, high above the River Eden giving good views. Return to the station and down the 99 steps to the river. Walk upstream to the Eden Benchmark bench sculpture, continuing past the imposing Corby Castle with its cascading waterfall on the opposite side of the river. Continue through woodland to St Constantine’s caves, hewn out of the sandstone rock, overlooking the river. Head back across the fields to visit Wetheral Priory Gatehouse, the only remaining part of the historic Wetheral Priory. Continue along the lane and return to the village green.
Travelling:
Return back along the B6263 a very short distance and take the left turn towards Scotby. Continue approx 1.7 miles to enter the village of Scotby at a T junction with the village shop ahead. Turn right towards Carlisle and pass the village church on the right. Continue through the village for approx 0.6 miles to a T junction with the A69 and turn left. Shortly, meet a large roundabout over the M6 motorway (M6 junction 43) and take the second exit on the A69 which soon enters Carlisle. Continue straight ahead at the Tesco traffic lights, straight ahead at the next traffic lights and continue for approx 0.5 miles to pass Carlisle United football ground and shop on the right. Shortly beyond, get in the right lane at the traffic lights and turn right, towards 'A595 West'. Continue approx 0.5 miles to another junction with traffic lights and turn right, 'A7 North'. Soon approach Hardwicke Circus roundabout and take the first exit, 'A595 West'. Carlisle Castle is ahead on the right and the car park is just beyond but with no right turn you need to continue approx 0.3 miles to a roundabout and double back to Devonshire Walk car park turning on the left.Distance: 46.6 miles Location: Carlisle, Devonshire Walk car park Coordinates: N 54.89652, W 2.94328
![]() |
Carlisle Cathedral |