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From the American War of Independence via two World Wars to the Cold War and beyond, the Solway has witnessed it all.

The Solway Military Trail is designed to take you on a journey of discovery through the beautiful Solway coast area. Each trail has a different character and landscape, and showcases the best of the military history the area has to offer, including some really fascinating museums.

Each trail has been designed to take around half a day by car, as we want you to explore each area as you travel through. From stunning beaches to market towns, rolling hills to beautiful villages, the whole area has so much to share.

Pick a trail to start your journey…

A Little Taster Of the Trails

Featured Attractions

solway coast discovery centre

Solway Coast Discovery Centre

The Solway Coast Discovery Centre is a free exhibition detailing over 10000 years of Solway Coast Heritage. It showcases the Solway Coast, describing its wildlife, heritage, landscape, communities and outlines historic and future perspectives.

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Cumbria's Museum of Military Life

Located within the walls of historic Carlisle Castle, Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life tells the story of the county’s Regimental history from 1702, through two World Wars, to present day.

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 Solway Aviation Museum

Solway Aviation Museum

Solway Aviation Museum is home to a collection of aircraft, aviation artefacts and displays reflecting Britain’s position as a world leader in aircraft design and innovation at the dawn of the jet age.

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 The Devil’s Porridge Museum

The Devil’s Porridge Museum

Discover the remarkable story of the ‘Greatest Munitions Factory on Earth’ and the extraordinary lives of the Munitions Girls who worked there at The Devil’s Porridge Museum!

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 Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum

Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum

Centred around the control tower of the wartime RAF Dumfries, the museum houses a fascinating selection of aircraft, aero engines and personal histories built up over the last 40 years.

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 The John Paul Jones Museum

The John Paul Jones Museum

John Paul Jones Birthplace Museum features the original cottage on the Solway Coast where John Paul Jones, hero of the American Revolutionary War and founder of the US Navy was born in 1747.

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Stoneykirk Aviation Museum

The museum provides a fascinating historical insight into the golden age of British aviation. There is an emphasis on the technology and equipment used by aircrew in post war military jet aircraft.

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Trail One - Silloth to Carlisle

Our first trail starts at the wide open expanses of the Solway coast at Silloth, and takes you through north Cumbria and the many airfields surrounding the city of Carlisle.

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Trail Two - Eastriggs to Moffat

Our shortest trail, but through some of our most scenic countryside. Start the day with a visit to The Devil’s Porridge Museum to learn about the huge munitions factories here, then pass the former RAF Annan on the way to Moffat.

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Trail Three – Dumfries to Kirkcudbright

This trail takes you from the aviation museum at Dumfries with its Battle of Britain Spitfire along the scenic Solway coast road of Dumfries and Galloway. It is a trail with lots of history, but also stunning scenery and is full of towns, villages and beaches which beg to be explored on foot.

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Trail Four – Wigtown to Stranraer

This trail takes you on a journey through ‘Bonnie Galloway’, and includes Top Secret D-Day preparations and the place where a fleet of German U-boats tied up in a military harbour!

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Trails

Locations

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