The best road cycling routes around Stapleton

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.

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.

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.

St Cuthbert Bewcastle Church stands on the foundations of a Roman fort and has roots dating back to the 13th century. Although the current building largely dates from the 18th and 19th centuries, parts of the east chancel are still medieval. The church exudes simplicity and tranquility, with a rectangular plan and a wooden gallery on the west side. Within the church, traces of the Border Reivers' turbulent history can be found, including gravestones bearing names like Armstrong and Routledge.

Bewcastle Fort (Latin: Fanum Cocidi) was a Roman fort in the English town of Bewcastle. The fort lay north of Hadrian's Wall and was connected by a road (Maiden Way) to the Banna (Birdoswald) fort on the wall. The fort's Latin name (The Shrine of Cocidius) indicates that it enclosed an existing local shrine. The Romans equated the deity Cocidius with Mars, and the fort was possibly built there to control tribal gatherings. In the second century, the Cohors I Dacorum mil. eq. (a mixed cohort with infantry and cavalry in dual garrisons, with auxiliaries from Dacia) was stationed there. A dual garrison cohort was also likely stationed there in the third century. By 400, before Hadrian's Wall was abandoned, Bewcastle Fort had already been abandoned. Around 1092, Bewcastle Castle was built in a corner of the former fortress, using Roman stone. The church of St. Cuthbert is also located within the old fortress walls.

Cattle grid, a bypass and an intersection