Roman heritage
The Romans had a huge influence on the area we know today as the Solway Coast National Landscape. The long straight roads, the stonework of so many buildings, the archaeological finds and, of course, Hadrian’s Wall, are all part of their legacy. The Romans arrived in the area in AD 71-72 and advanced into southern […]
Prehistoric
The Solway Coast National Landscape we see today has been shaped by nature, and by man, for many, many thousands of years. If we head back to the Ice Age – historians and scientists actually think there have been around 19 ice ages, the most recent of which dates back more than 12,000 years – […]
Reptiles and amphibians
The habitats of the Solway Coast National Landscape are a haven for some reptiles and amphibians. There is one stand-out example of a rare species which has made this area its home – the natterjack toad. More than 10% of the total British population lives here, the creature’s most northerly outpost. The natterjack is easily […]
Plants, flowers and fungi
There are so many different environments along the Solway Coast National Landscape that it means a vast array of plants can grow here. From the varying dune conditions that range from the strandline, through to the fixed dunes at the rear, as well as the marshes and the raised peat mires, it’s a haven for […]
Marine and seashore
The sand and mud of the Solway Coast National Landscape hides a fantastic array of plants and animals that can easily be overlooked. Under the rippled sand lies a whole world of life, from small animals such as crabs and worms to the larger shellfish like the razor shell, or the tiny Baltic tellin – […]
Mammals
It’s fair to say that the bird population is the first wildlife you’ll spot on a visit to the Solway Coast National Landscape. Our mammals are a little more elusive – and they’re not just on land. Cetaceans are a group of warm-blooded marine mammals which have become aquatic and adapted to life in the […]
Insects and invertebrates
It’s the diverse habitats of the Solway Coast National Landscape which make this such a great place to discover insects and invertebrates. One additional factor that allows so many species to thrive so far north is the influence of the Gulf Stream. Some of those creatures who like the warmer climes are the purse-web spider […]
Birds
Not a moment goes by when you can’t spot at least one species of bird as you explore the Solway Coast National Landscape. The Solway Firth changes constantly thanks to the twice daily force of the tide and this creates a dynamic backcloth where birds are moved from their feeding grounds on to their roosting […]
The Firth
The Solway Firth doesn’t just include the Solway Coast National Landscape – it stretches from St Bees Head in West Cumbria to the Mull of Galloway, the most southern tip of Scotland. The two coastlines are very different. In England, it’s based on soft sandstone, while the Scottish side is made of harder granite rocks […]
Lowland raised mires
The lowland raised mires – or peatbogs to give them a more familar name – are the living, breathing heart of the Solway Coast National Landscape. They have evolved over thousands of years into a dome of peat covered in pools and plant life. They are rare and important habitats, which is why all of […]
