Beckfoot
Beckfoot | |
---|---|
North end of Beckfoot. | |
OS grid reference | NY0949 |
Civil parish | |
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | WIGTON |
Postcode district | CA7 |
Dialling code | 016973 |
Police | Cumbria |
Fire | Cumbria |
Ambulance | North West |
UK Parliament | |
Beckfoot is a hamlet in the
History and etymology
The name "Beckfoot" is derived from the
The area around Beckfoot was fortified during
During the 14th century, a castle was built at Wolsty, approximately one-and-a-half miles to the north, to guard the vulnerable Holmcultram Abbey at Abbeytown from raids across the Solway Firth. The castle had been demolished by the year 1700, and not much remains today, but an archaeological survey was carried out in July 2013.[4]
In the 16th century, shifting sands and severe storms on the Solway Firth saw many houses in the hamlet destroyed or severely damaged. Many people lost their homes, and it was this event which prompted the Lord and Steward of Holme Culterham to construct the town of New Mawbray, today known as Newtown, three-quarters of a mile inland from Beckfoot.[5] Also during this era, Scots continued to raid this section of the Solway coast. A system called the "seawake" - a night watch along the coast - was created, and residents of coastal communities including Beckfoot would have participated in guarding against such raids.[1]
A
The hamlet today
There are two attractions in the vicinity - Bank Mill Nursery and Visitor Centre, which includes a garden, nature reserve, play area, and restaurant,[8] and the Gincase near Newtown, a farm park with a gift shop and tea room.[9]
A bus service runs between
Beckfoot is within the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,[11] and its sand dunes, together with those at Mawbray and Wolsty, form a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 0954882318.
- ^ "Google Maps - The beck at Beckfoot". Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ Historic England. "Milefortlet 14 (9098)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "Holme Low Parish Council - Wolsty Castle". Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "British History - Records of the Holme Under Elizabeth". Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "Diocese of Carlisle - Holme St. Cuthbert". Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "Holme St. Cuthbert History Group - Beckfoot". Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "Bank Mill". Retrieved 18 December 2014.
- ^ "The Gincase". Retrieved 18 December 2014.
- ^ "Reays City Hopper - 60". Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
- ^ "Solway Coast AONB - Location". Archived from the original on 5 January 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.