Bewcastle combines a Roman site, medieval architecture, and routes for walking or cycling. Its attractions range from the Roman fort and the motte-and-bailey castle of Bew Castle to the Bewcastle Cross, St Cuthbert's Church, and several bastles. When planning your visit, you can choose a focus: archaeological features, medieval buildings, religious art, or an outdoor route. If you are interested in both local history and getting active during your stay, you can give each theme the emphasis that suits your interests.
Roman Fort and Medieval Castle
The Roman fort at Bewcastle lies on a natural hexagonal plateau. Steep natural slopes protect it on all sides. This makes the topography a striking feature of the site. Bew Castle, a medieval shell keep, stands at the fort’s northeastern corner. Its precise location brings Roman and medieval building history together in one place. Despite its collapse and the removal of stone, extensive medieval masonry at Bew Castle remains standing. The medieval building type and surviving features therefore stand alongside evidence of collapse and stone robbing: the castle is neither fully intact nor gone.
The Bewcastle Cross and St Cuthbert's Church
The shaft of the Bewcastle Cross is widely regarded as the finest surviving stone-carving work from early 8th-century England. The Bewcastle Cross is probably dated to after 675. Its runic inscriptions have become worn and damaged over the years, and their meaning is now uncertain. The dating and inscriptions therefore offer different kinds of historical evidence: a probable date and an interpretation that remains open.
St Cuthbert's Church dates from the 13th century and preserves a medieval baptismal font bowl. A small museum about life in Bewcastle, from prehistory to the present day, is located in the churchyard. This long span of time broadens the story of the medieval buildings and art to include the history of the area. As visiting arrangements may change, check the latest details before planning your visit.
Bastles and Different Building Histories
Crew Castle bastle retains several original architectural features. According to local tradition, it was the birthplace of Hobbie Noble, a Moss-Trooper, or Border Reiver. The building remains and the story of the person associated with it are two distinct aspects; the birthplace story is a tradition.
The medieval bastle known as The Loan is considered a good example of this class of monument. It was later altered and used as a post-medieval dwelling. Despite renovation, it retains several original architectural details. At Braes Pele, the earthworks and hidden remains include a medieval tower, barmkins, two shielings, an associated enclosure, and a corn-drying kiln. The three sites show different aspects of medieval buildings: surviving features, alterations and later use, and a site made up of several elements.
Walking and Cycling
A circular walking route starts from Bewcastle, with a shortcut offering a shorter option. Check route details before travelling. A section of the Maiden Way is a walking route from Birdoswald to Bewcastle. You can choose between a local loop with a shorter option and a walking route with a named starting point and destination.
There are several cycling route options. 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. The first description gives the ride’s length and road type; the second names a route through Bewcastle and the places along its way. Road and surface conditions may change; check route details before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Glenridding, Spark Bridge, Mealsgate, Near Sawrey, Underbarrow, Cleator, Bampton, Camerton.
For the broader travel overview: Cumbria.
