Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Designated in 1996, the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) stretches across approximately 97 square miles of the Cumbrian coast along the Solway Firth between the towns of Silloth and Maryport in northwest England. This protected landscape includes rocky shorelines, expansive mudflats, salt marshes, dunes, and fertile farmland. It serves as an important habitat for a wide range of bird species, including wintering wildfowl and waders such as oystercatcher, curlew, and golden plover, making it a favored destination for birdwatchers. The AONB also embraces small villages, historic market towns, and cultural heritage sites like the Roman-era Hadrian’s Wall in the nearby hinterland. Visitors can enjoy well-maintained walking and cycling routes that follow the coastline and inland through quiet farmland and heathland. The Solway Coast Path provides scenic views of tidal flats and distant hills. Notable landmarks include the WWII Wampool and Silloth coastal defenses, the saltmarshes at Wolsty Banks, and sandy beaches at Dubmill Point. The area's combination of wildlife richness, tranquil rural landscapes, and accessible coastline attracts nature enthusiasts, photographers, and outdoor adventurers alike.
