The best road cycling routes around Waterhead

At this small sacred monument, there are several reasons why cyclists should not pass by carelessly, but should linger for a moment: Firstly, the church, together with the surrounding cemetery and the 'Bewcastle Cross' standing on the grounds, form a very harmonious unit. Secondly, when contemplating this cross, one looks far back into history, as its creation is dated to the 7th or 8th century. Thirdly, however – and mainly (!) – the artistic design of the obelisk, which rises to about the lower eaves of the church roof, tapering slightly upwards, is extremely noteworthy ('Amy' and 'Joe' have already described this in their contributions). My personal conclusion: Although the actual cross, which once crowned the obelisk, has long been missing, it is still a noteworthy small sacred monument!

Stamp point for your passport. Inside the Sands Centre.

Well, we got here nearly at the end of our Hadrian's Wall hike for the day and had a bit of bad luck. Fancy turning up at one of the best Roman forts on Hadrian's Wall to be told it was closed because the wind was too strong and it might blow us off the wall. A place to come back to.

Along Lanercost Road near Banks in Cumbria, you'll find the well-preserved remains of Leahill Turret (51B), a Roman watchtower built around 122 AD as part of Hadrian's Wall. The tower was fully excavated and consolidated in 1958 and is still visible today to a height of approximately one meter. Leahill Turret served as a staging post between Milecastles 51 and 52, providing Roman soldiers with a strategic vantage point over the northern border region. Inside, traces of a raised platform against the north wall and a later shelter structure against the south wall are visible, suggesting reuse in the 4th century.

Banks East Turret, also known as Turret 52A, is one of the best-preserved watchtowers along the western section of Hadrian's Wall. Built around 122 AD on the orders of Emperor Hadrian, this tower was part of an ingenious network: two turrets stood between each milecastle, manned by a handful of soldiers who guarded the boundary. The tower is built of stone, even though the wall here was originally turf—a rare example of early Roman engineering. You'll find an impressive section of wall reaching 1.75 meters high at the tower itself. The site offers panoramic views of the southern landscape, while the northern terrain is higher—a strategic yet surprising choice.

The war memorial in Rickerby Park, Carlisle, is an impressive tribute to the fallen of the First World War, later expanded to include commemorations for the Second World War and subsequent conflicts. Officially opened on May 25, 1922, by the Earl of Lonsdale, it commemorates the men and women from Cumberland and Westmorland who gave their lives in the Great War. Formal gardens and a monumental entrance were added in 1932–33 by landscape architect Edward Prentice Mawson and city engineer Percy Dalton.

Carlisle Castle, built in 1092 by William II, is an imposing medieval fortress on the edge of Carlisle city center, near Hadrian's Wall. The castle played a key role in the Anglo-Scottish conflict, withstanding at least seven sieges between 1174 and 1461. In 1568, Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here, and during the Jacobite Rising of 1745, it was the last English fortress to be besieged. Visitors can explore the 12th-century gatehouse, the Tudor gun platform, and the keep with its 15th-century carvings. Also within its walls is Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, which chronicles 300 years of military history.

Askerton Castle is a rare example of a fortified medieval manor house, situated in remote north Cumbria, about three miles north of Hadrian's Wall. The original building was constructed around 1290 as an unfortified hall, but in the late 15th century, two battlemented towers—the Dacre Tower and the Dovecot Tower—were added by Thomas, Lord Dacre, as part of a border defense against the notorious Border Reivers. In the 16th century, the complex was expanded with a stable block and additional wings for troop accommodation. A third tower on the northwest corner is believed to have been lost, possibly to fire, but traces of its stonework and staircases are still visible in the walls. The structure contains impressive oak beams, dated between 1494 and 1510, and shows clear stages of architectural evolution—from a simple hall to a military stronghold. Although the castle is not open to the public, it is now part of the Askerton Castle Estate, an organic farm that produces beef, lamb, pork, and poultry. The building is a Grade I listed building, indicating its exceptional historical value.