Allonby sits on the Solway Coast, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village itself is small and quiet, which is the point. But within 30 minutes you have Roman forts, a Victorian seaside town, nature reserves teeming with birds, and the western gateway to the Lake District.
Allonby Beach
Three miles of wide, firm sand. One of the best dog beaches on the Solway, completely undeveloped. Good for sea swimming in summer, kite flying year round. The tidal range is large so check tide times.
Grune Point
A shingle and grass spit jutting into the Solway. Ringed plovers, oystercatchers and terns nest here in spring and summer. A flat 2-mile circular walk from Skinburness. Wild, exposed and brilliant.
Hadrian's Cycleway
National Cycle Route 72 runs right through the village, following the Solway coast. The route links Whitehaven to Newcastle along Hadrian's Wall. Bikes can be hired in Carlisle and Whitehaven.
Sea swimming and water sports
Allonby Bay is popular with wild swimmers and sea kayakers. The prevailing south-westerly wind also makes it a spot for kite surfing. The bay faces Scotland across the Solway, with views of Criffel on clear days.
Maryport
A compact harbour town with a strong Roman past. The Senhouse Roman Museum holds the largest collection of Roman altar stones in Britain, found from the fort above town. The harbour has a small maritime museum and a Friday market.
RSPB Campfield Marsh
One of the best wetland reserves on the Solway. In winter, up to 15,000 barnacle geese roost here after flying in from Svalbard. Curlews, lapwings and redshanks breed in summer. Free entry, hides provided.
Silloth
A well-preserved Victorian planned town with a wide green promenade facing the Solway Firth. Good fish and chips, a popular links golf course, and the best views of the Scottish hills across the water.
Wordsworth House, Cockermouth
The National Trust Georgian townhouse where William Wordsworth was born in 1770. Beautifully restored with period interiors. The garden runs down to the River Derwent. Cockermouth itself is a pleasant market town with good independent shops.
Birdoswald Roman Fort
One of the best-preserved forts on Hadrian's Wall, sitting high above the River Irthing gorge. The longest continuous stretch of the Wall visible anywhere runs east from here. English Heritage site with a good visitor centre.
Whitehaven
A Georgian harbour town with a surprising amount of history. Once the third busiest port in Britain. The harbour has been restored and has good coastal walks north and south. The Rum Story museum is a popular family visit.
Shops and supplies
Allonby has no supermarket. Maryport has a Co-op and a Lidl. Silloth has a small Tesco. Cockermouth has a good range of independent food shops. Most guests stock up before arriving or make a morning run to Maryport.
Getting around
A car is the most practical way to explore. The X5 bus runs between Carlisle, Wigton, Maryport and Whitehaven and stops in Allonby. Carlisle and Penrith are the nearest rail stations with good connections.
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