Bewcastle: Roman Fort, Cross and Border History

Bewcastle brings together traces of a Roman fort, medieval fortifications, an early medieval cross and routes for walking and cycling. This gives you a range of historical themes to consider when choosing your destination: from the shape of the fort site and surviving structural features to stories from border history. There are also different route options, including a circular walk with a shorter alternative and a section of the Maiden Way.

Roman Fort and Medieval Fortifications

The Roman fort at Bewcastle stands on a natural hexagonal plateau, protected on all sides by steep slopes. Bew Castle, a medieval shell keep, stands at the fort’s northeast corner. Despite its collapse and the removal of stone, substantial medieval masonry remains standing. The Roman site and the castle date from different periods, but their location connects them directly in the history of the place.

Braes Pele includes earthworks and concealed remains from several structures: a medieval tower and barmkins, two shielings, an associated enclosure and a grain-drying kiln. These individual features offer a different insight into medieval use of the site than the standing structures at Bew Castle. Those interested in historic buildings can distinguish between these different kinds of remains, rather than viewing them as a single castle complex.

Bewcastle Cross, Church and Local Tradition

Bewcastle Cross probably dates from after 675. Its high-cross shaft is widely regarded as England’s finest surviving example of early eighth-century stone sculpture. The runic inscriptions have become worn and damaged over the years, and their meaning is now uncertain. The monument therefore combines an early date with an explicitly uncertain reading of its inscriptions.

St Cuthbert’s Church is a 13th-century church that preserves a medieval font bowl. The churchyard is also home to a small museum about life in Bewcastle, spanning the period from prehistory to the present day. If you plan to visit the museum, check visiting arrangements in advance. The church, font bowl and museum offer different ways to explore the history of the place, but do not cover the same subject or period.

Two bastles also invite a closer look at surviving architectural features and later use. Several original architectural features survive at Crew Castle Bastle. According to tradition, it was the birthplace of Hobbie Noble, a Moss-Trooper or Border Reiver. The medieval bastle The Loan is considered a good example of this monument type. It was later altered and used as a post-medieval dwelling; despite renovation, several original architectural details remain. The two sites can thus be distinguished by their building fabric, while the story of Hobbie Noble remains explicitly a matter of tradition.

Walking and Cycling Around Bewcastle

A circular walking route starts from Bewcastle, with a shortcut available for a shorter option. A section of the Maiden Way also runs as a walking route from Birdoswald to Bewcastle. If you are planning a loop rather than a route between two places, you can take these different route types into account. Check the latest route information before setting out.

There are also several route descriptions for cycling. A 16-mile cycle ride takes in the most scenic areas of Bewcastle and follows minor roads for almost its entire length. The Reivers Cycle Route passes directly through Bewcastle and runs between Cockermouth on the west coast and North Shields via Kielder. When planning your trip, note the difference between the 16-mile ride, which follows minor roads for almost its entire length, and the Reivers Cycle Route, which passes directly through Bewcastle and runs via Kielder between Cockermouth on the west coast and North Shields. Before setting out, check route information and current road and surface conditions.

For a stay in Bewcastle, you can choose according to your interests: the fort and medieval buildings, the cross and church history, or a walking or cycling trip. These themes complement one another, but each has a different focus. When looking for accommodation, this distinction can help you plan your stay around the sights and activities that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Eskdale, Crosby Ravensworth, Soulby, Stapleton, Whitehaven, Ravenglass, Sedgwick, Levens.

For the regional travel overview: Cumbria.