Itinerary Planner

CCR 200 - Add on 1 - Carlisle to Birdoswald - The Roman Frontier

Route: A69, A680

Miles: 34

Route Guide and GPX File

If you feel like you can easily conquer the CCR200 then try out Roman Frontier add on. Rather than heading down the M6 form Carlisle you can push on and discover Hadrian’s wall country.

Leave Carlisle on A69 eastwards towards Brampton and Newcastle. At the Brampton Roundabout follow the brown signs for Talkin Tarn.

The countryside around Carlisle contains many hidden treasures in contrasting landscapes. Nine miles east of Carlisle is Talkin Tarn Country Park, a 65-acre lake set amid 120 acres of farmland and woodland. The tarn is an ideal place for a quiet stroll through mature woodlands or an active day of bike riding and watersports. 

The tarn is glacial in origin, being formed about 10,000 years ago and is fed by underground streams. A variety of events are held throughout the year.

After a fun packed afternoon, the pretty town of Brampton offers a great place to pitch up, with a number of campsites within a short walk of the town centre.

With the Moot Hall standing in Brampton’s centre, this is the town’s Tourist Information Centre, so be sure to call-in.

St Martin’s Church boasts one of the most exquisite sets of stained-glass windows designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and executed in the William Morris studio. Weel worth a visit and there are a few public car parks within walking distance.

whilst like Carlisle Castle, the Old Parish Church (only part of which still stands) was constructed using stones taken from Hadrian’s Wall - a 75-mile long former line of defence stretching all the way from The Solway Firth in the west, to Wallsend-on-Tyne in the east.

Nearby in rolling countryside, the beautiful Lanercost Priory founded by Augustinian canons in 1166 provides peace and tranquillity for all. When completed in 1220, canons came from a priory in Norfolk, and remained for some 370 years until the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The nearby Tearooms offer a visitor information centre, great shopping opportunities…and not to forget the afternoon teas!

There is a 4 mile walking route from Brampton to lanercost if you want to really earn your cake.

If you leave Lanercost towards Gilsland (lookout for brown signs). You can follow the old military road to Birdoswald Roman fort.

Now an interactive Visitor Centre and situated on a superb stretch of Hadrian's Wall, Birdoswald Roman Fort was once home to Roman soldiers 2,000 years ago. Excavations have uncovered a unique basilica or drill hall, granary buildings and the west gateway.

There are some great walks which run through this area of the county and connect Lanercost, Birdoswald and some of the most impressive remaining sections of Hadrian’s wall. You could spend a couple of days exploring the wall and its turbulent history.

When you are ready to head home just retrace your journey back to the A69 towards Carlisle, where you can pick up the M6 motorway.