Burgh by Sands is perfect if you’re looking for a peaceful place to live with the convenience of a city nearby. Located within the Solway Coast National Landscape, you’ll have dreamy views on your doorstep, gorgeous greenery, historic sites, and a thriving community.
But what does daily life actually look like in this charming village?
Keep reading to find out! Let’s dive a bit deeper into life in Burgh by Sands.
Why choose Burgh by Sands?
Burgh by Sands is a peaceful village with countryside, coastline, and heritage. It’s also perfectly located for quick city access, being just 7 miles away from Carlisle.
Here are some of the reasons why people choose to settle in this charming neighbourhood.
Escape into stunning countryside
Burgh by Sands is a picturesque village with sprawling countryside on its doorstep. Living here means trading in fast-paced city life for something more restorative and potentially better for your health (research shows that a 50-minute walk in nature measurably reduces anxiety compared to walking in an urban setting).
Luckily, Burgh by Sands has no shortage of walking routes. Going right from the village green is the Burgh by Sands Circular route which includes a stretch of Hadrian’s Wall.
If cycling is more your thing, the Burgh by Sands to Solway Coast route (the end part of the 174-mile Hadrian’s Cycleway) takes you through 16 miles of saltmarsh and farmland, ending at beautiful beaches.
Enjoy the best of village and city life
Burgh by Sands is in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside, with all the amenities you need to enjoy village life near Carlisle (including a post office, primary school, and a park). But just a short 7-mile trip from Carlisle, the village offers you the perfect blend of rural life and city amenities.
Recommended reading: Why Carlisle is such a great place to live.
Burgh by Sands also has great links to the Lake District, with Keswick just 30 miles away.
Fun fact: Burgh by Sands is also one of the few coastal villages actually built on Hadrian’s Wall, sitting on the site of a significant Roman fort – not something many other quiet coastal villages can claim!
Feel part of a thriving community
As a small village, you’ll find a real sense of community in Burgh by Sands. Look at the parish hall as an example, which hosts ballroom dancing, badminton, film nights, and workshops for people in the area.
There’s also a children’s play area, King Edwards’ Fauld, so the little ones have somewhere to burn off energy.
The village green is a nice spot to sit with a book or admire the bronze King Edward statue. Plus, the Greyhound Inn is the locals’ choice for great beer and delicious food.
Immerse yourself in incredible history
Burgh by Sands has centuries of history, from Roman soldiers stationed on Hadrian’s Wall to the death of a king out on the salt marsh.
Here are some famous historic sites worth a visit:
- Aballava. The village itself sits on the site of Aballava, a Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall. Aballava is famous for garrisoning a cohort of Aurelian Moors from Morocco, the first recorded North African community in Britain.
- St Michael’s Church. Builders constructed St Michael’s, the most famous Burgh by Sands church, in the 12th century using stones from Aballava. Later, they added two fortified towers as refuge against border raids. This Grade-I listed building still has many of its original features, including a heavy iron gate, arrow slits, and medieval bells.
- Burgh Marsh. This vast salt marsh attracts nature lovers, but it’s more well known for being the site where King Edward I died of dysentery while en route to wage war against the Scots. There’s a monument (erected in 1685) that marks the death site.
- Historic homes. It’s worth just wandering around the streets of Burgh by Sands to observe the ‘clay dabbin’ buildings. This technique uses earth and clay (rather than stone and bricks) and features thatch-topped roofs.
Fun fact: Some believe Aballava to be the setting of King Arthur’s legendary Avalon and St Michael’s to be the site where King Arthur died after Camlann.
FAQs about living in Burgh by Sands
How far is Burgh by Sands from Carlisle?
Burgh by Sands is 7 miles from Carlisle which will take roughly 15 minutes driving or 25 minutes on the 93 bus route.
How do you get around in Burgh by Sands?
The 93 bus service runs between Carlisle and Anthorn, calling at Burgh by Sands, so it’s easy to get in and out of the village without a car. This takes about 25 minutes.
A National Cycle route also passes through the village, connecting these rural Solway Coast parts with Carlisle and the Lake District. This makes Burgh by Sands easy to get around on two wheels, perfect if you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint.
Find houses available for sale in Burgh by Sands with Genesis Homes
Burgh by Sands offers the best of both worlds. You’re close to the city, but you have community, nature, and historic sites right on your doorstep.
If you’re after modern, rural, and energy-efficient Burgh by Sands accommodation, take a look at our new housing development, Edward’s View. All our houses for sale in Burgh by Sands have practical and stylish interiors, with impressive views across the Solway Firth.
Get in touch with the team to discuss plot details and ask any questions about buying a new build home in Burgh by Sands.