← Back✦ Historic site

St Mary's Abbey, Holmcultram

2 ha

📷 The Carlisle Kid · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal

Free entryDogs welcome2 ha

Getting here

54.84487, -3.28176

Open directionsv

Google Maps↗Driving directions Apple Maps↗Driving directions Waze↗Live driving navigation Google Transit↗Bus, rail or tram Apple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

£Free to visit — no entry charge
🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Blackbird, House Sparrow, Jackdaw +69 more · last seen 2024; Birds — Blackbird, House Sparrow, Jackdaw +69 more · last seen 2024

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Salad Burnet, Scorpion Weed, Fool's Water-Cress +24 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Salad Burnet, Scorpion Weed, Fool's Water-Cress +24 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Banded Demoiselle, Knotgrass Leaf Beetle, Scathophaga stercoraria +20 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Banded Demoiselle, Knotgrass Leaf Beetle, Scathophaga stercoraria +20 more · last seen 2025

Free

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Waterside walks

Good match

Grazing marsh and ditches — waterside walking

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

King Charles III England Coast Path: Gretna to AllonbyWalking route

Named routeRef ECPNational walking route

🚴

Cycling

10 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Hadrian's CyclewayCycling route

Named routeRef 72National Cycle Network

Main RouteCycling route3.1 km

Named routeRef 72Length 3.1 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route204 m

Named routeRef 72Length 204 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route3.8 km

Named routeRef 72Length 3.8 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route3.3 km

Named routeRef 72Length 3.3 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route808 m

Named routeRef 72Length 808 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

2,508 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

2,508 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds69 species

spring

2024

Blackbird · Rook · House Sparrow · Jackdaw · Carrion Crow +64

BlackbirdTurdus merula2023
RookCorvus frugilegus
House SparrowPasser domesticus
JackdawColoeus monedula2023
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2023
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2023
MagpiePica pica2023
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2023
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2023
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2023
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2023
SwallowHirundo rustica
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2023
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2023
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2023
Rock DoveColumba livia2023
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2023
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2023
BuzzardButeo buteo2023
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella2023
RobinErithacus rubecula2023
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2023
LapwingVanellus vanellus2023
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2023
House MartinDelichon urbicum
Herring GullLarus argentatus2023
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2023
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2023
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2023
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2023
Great TitParus major2023
Common GullLarus canus2023
ShelduckTadorna tadorna2023
Greylag GooseAnser anser2023
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2023
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2023
LinnetLinaria cannabina2023
WhitethroatCurruca communis2023
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2023
Stock DoveColumba oenas2023
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa2023
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnus2023
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2023
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2023
DunnockPrunella modularis2023
GreenfinchChloris chloris2023
CootFulica atra2023
CurlewNumenius arquata2023
GoosanderMergus merganser2023
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2023
WheatearOenanthe oenanthe2023
Little EgretEgretta garzetta2023
FieldfareTurdus pilaris2023
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsis2022
Red-breasted GooseBranta ruficollis2022
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
SwiftApus apus2023
Tree SparrowPasser montanus2023
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2023
JayGarrulus glandarius2023
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca curruca2023
CuckooCuculus canorus2023
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2023
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2023
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2023
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2023
Coal TitPeriparus ater2023
TealAnas crecca2022

🦌

Mammals3 species

springsummer

2025

Roe Deer · Brown Hare · Otter

Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus2023
Brown HareLepus europaeus
OtterLutra lutra2022

🐸

Amphibians2 species

spring

2025

Frog · Common Frog

FrogRana
Common FrogRana temporaria2022

🐝

Insects9 species

spring

2025

Knotgrass Leaf Beetle · Scathophaga stercoraria · Banded Demoiselle · Red Mason Bee · Common Darter +4

Knotgrass Leaf BeetleChrysolina polita2023
Scathophaga stercorariaScathophaga stercoraria2022
Banded DemoiselleCalopteryx splendens
Red Mason BeeOsmia bicornis
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum2022
Mesembrina meridianaMesembrina meridiana2022
Green Nettle WeevilPhyllobius pomaceus2022
Green Dock BeetleGastrophysa viridula2022
Heteromyza commixtaHeteromyza commixta2022

🌿

Plants120 species

summer

2025

Snowdrop · Polypody · Common Valerian · Meadowsweet · Cleavers +115

SnowdropGalanthus nivalis
PolypodyPolypodium interjectum x vulgare = P. x mantoniae
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis2024
MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria2024
CleaversGalium aparine2024
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata2024
Germander SpeedwellVeronica chamaedrys2024
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2024
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2024
Red CloverTrifolium pratense2024
Prickly Sow-thistleSonchus asper2024
ElderSambucus nigra2024
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2024
DaisyBellis perennis2024
Zigzag CloverTrifolium medium
Salad BurnetPoterium sanguisorba
Scorpion WeedPhacelia tanacetifolia
Fool's Water-CressHelosciadium nodiflorum2024
PoppyPapaver2024
Bird's-Foot-TrefoilLotus2024
MugwortArtemisia vulgaris2024
Field Forget-me-notMyosotis arvensis2024
Fox-and-cubsPilosella aurantiaca2024
Broad-leaved WillowherbEpilobium montanum2024
ValerianValeriana2024
Hedge WoundwortStachys sylvatica2024
Wild StrawberryFragaria vesca2024
Oxeye DaisyLeucanthemum vulgare2024
Cut-leaved Crane's-billGeranium dissectum2024
Heath GroundselSenecio sylvaticus2023
Spear ThistleCirsium vulgare2023
BlackthornPrunus spinosa2023
Great WillowherbEpilobium hirsutum2023
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2023
HawkweedHieracium2023
RedshankPersicaria maculosa2023
Soft-bromeBromus hordeaceus2023
Red CampionSilene dioica2023
Greater Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus pedunculatus2023
Welsh PoppyPapaver cambricum2023
Tufted Hair-grassDeschampsia cespitosa2023
AlderAlnus glutinosa2023
CrosswortCruciata laevipes2023
BrackenPteridium aquilinum2023
Curled DockRumex crispus2023
Creeping BentAgrostis stolonifera2023
YarrowAchillea millefolium2023
Festuca rubraFestuca rubra2023
Hedge BedstrawGalium album2023
Creeping Soft-grassHolcus mollis2023
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2023
White CloverTrifolium repens2023
Lesser StitchwortStellaria graminea2023
Marsh FoxtailAlopecurus geniculatus2023
PineappleweedMatricaria discoidea2023
Marsh WoundwortStachys palustris2023
Callitriche stagnalisCallitriche stagnalis2023
Common OracheAtriplex patula2023
NipplewortLapsana communis2023
Ground-elderAegopodium podagraria2023
Common ChickweedStellaria media2023
Male-fernDryopteris filix-mas2023
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium2023
SilverweedPotentilla anserina2023
Sea MayweedTripleurospermum maritimum2023
Wood AvensGeum urbanum2023
Phleum pratensePhleum pratense2023
Soft-rushJuncus effusus2023
Rosa caninaRosa canina2023
Maidenhair SpleenwortAsplenium trichomanes2023
GorseUlex europaeus2023
Perennial Sow-thistleSonchus arvensis2023
Rusty WillowSalix cinerea subsp. oleifolia2023
Bifid Hemp-nettleGaleopsis bifida2023
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense2023
Broad-leaved DockRumex obtusifolius2023
Meadow FoxtailAlopecurus pratensis2023
Tufted VetchVicia cracca2023
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus2023
Common Hemp-Nettle agg.Galeopsis tetrahit2023
Cock's-footDactylis glomerata2023
Bush VetchVicia sepium2023
Common Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatus2023
Wild AngelicaAngelica sylvestris2023
False Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatius2023
Annual Meadow-grassPoa annua2023
Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne2023
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea2023
BroomCytisus scoparius2023
BrambleRubus fruticosus2023
Field HorsetailEquisetum arvense2023
SycamoreAcer pseudoplatanus2023
HarebellCampanula rotundifolia2023
Lady-fernAthyrium filix-femina2023
Salix fragilisSalix fragilis2023
HollyIlex aquifolium2023
Polygonum avicularePolygonum aviculare2023
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2023
DandelionTaraxacum2023
IvyHedera helix2023
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis2023
Upright Hedge-parsleyTorilis japonica2023
Red BartsiaOdontites vernus2023
Malus sylvestrisMalus sylvestris2023
Creeping CinquefoilPotentilla reptans2023
AshFraxinus excelsior2023
Common NettleUrtica dioica2023
Rough ChervilChaerophyllum temulum2023
Shepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastoris2023
HoneysuckleLonicera periclymenum2023
Pale PersicariaPersicaria lapathifolia2023
Greater PlantainPlantago major2023
Hemlock Water-dropwortOenanthe crocata2023
American WillowherbEpilobium ciliatum2023
Marsh CudweedGnaphalium uliginosum2023
Common SorrelRumex acetosa2023
Sharp-flowered RushJuncus acutiflorus2023
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris2023
Centaurea nigraCentaurea nigra2023
Scots PinePinus sylvestris2023

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

2,508 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds69 species

spring

2024

Blackbird · Rook · House Sparrow · Jackdaw · Carrion Crow +64

BlackbirdTurdus merula2023
RookCorvus frugilegus
House SparrowPasser domesticus
JackdawColoeus monedula2023
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2023
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2023
MagpiePica pica2023
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2023
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2023
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2023
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2023
SwallowHirundo rustica
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2023
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2023
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2023
Rock DoveColumba livia2023
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2023
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2023
BuzzardButeo buteo2023
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella2023
RobinErithacus rubecula2023
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2023
LapwingVanellus vanellus2023
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2023
House MartinDelichon urbicum
Herring GullLarus argentatus2023
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2023
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2023
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2023
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2023
Great TitParus major2023
Common GullLarus canus2023
ShelduckTadorna tadorna2023
Greylag GooseAnser anser2023
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2023
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2023
LinnetLinaria cannabina2023
WhitethroatCurruca communis2023
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2023
Stock DoveColumba oenas2023
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa2023
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnus2023
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2023
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2023
DunnockPrunella modularis2023
GreenfinchChloris chloris2023
CootFulica atra2023
CurlewNumenius arquata2023
GoosanderMergus merganser2023
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2023
WheatearOenanthe oenanthe2023
Little EgretEgretta garzetta2023
FieldfareTurdus pilaris2023
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsis2022
Red-breasted GooseBranta ruficollis2022
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
SwiftApus apus2023
Tree SparrowPasser montanus2023
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2023
JayGarrulus glandarius2023
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca curruca2023
CuckooCuculus canorus2023
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2023
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2023
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2023
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2023
Coal TitPeriparus ater2023
TealAnas crecca2022

🦌

Mammals3 species

springsummer

2025

Roe Deer · Brown Hare · Otter

Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus2023
Brown HareLepus europaeus
OtterLutra lutra2022

🐸

Amphibians2 species

spring

2025

Frog · Common Frog

FrogRana
Common FrogRana temporaria2022

🐝

Insects9 species

spring

2025

Knotgrass Leaf Beetle · Scathophaga stercoraria · Banded Demoiselle · Red Mason Bee · Common Darter +4

Knotgrass Leaf BeetleChrysolina polita2023
Scathophaga stercorariaScathophaga stercoraria2022
Banded DemoiselleCalopteryx splendens
Red Mason BeeOsmia bicornis
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum2022
Mesembrina meridianaMesembrina meridiana2022
Green Nettle WeevilPhyllobius pomaceus2022
Green Dock BeetleGastrophysa viridula2022
Heteromyza commixtaHeteromyza commixta2022

🌿

Plants120 species

summer

2025

Snowdrop · Polypody · Common Valerian · Meadowsweet · Cleavers +115

SnowdropGalanthus nivalis
PolypodyPolypodium interjectum x vulgare = P. x mantoniae
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis2024
MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria2024
CleaversGalium aparine2024
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata2024
Germander SpeedwellVeronica chamaedrys2024
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2024
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2024
Red CloverTrifolium pratense2024
Prickly Sow-thistleSonchus asper2024
ElderSambucus nigra2024
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2024
DaisyBellis perennis2024
Zigzag CloverTrifolium medium
Salad BurnetPoterium sanguisorba
Scorpion WeedPhacelia tanacetifolia
Fool's Water-CressHelosciadium nodiflorum2024
PoppyPapaver2024
Bird's-Foot-TrefoilLotus2024
MugwortArtemisia vulgaris2024
Field Forget-me-notMyosotis arvensis2024
Fox-and-cubsPilosella aurantiaca2024
Broad-leaved WillowherbEpilobium montanum2024
ValerianValeriana2024
Hedge WoundwortStachys sylvatica2024
Wild StrawberryFragaria vesca2024
Oxeye DaisyLeucanthemum vulgare2024
Cut-leaved Crane's-billGeranium dissectum2024
Heath GroundselSenecio sylvaticus2023
Spear ThistleCirsium vulgare2023
BlackthornPrunus spinosa2023
Great WillowherbEpilobium hirsutum2023
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2023
HawkweedHieracium2023
RedshankPersicaria maculosa2023
Soft-bromeBromus hordeaceus2023
Red CampionSilene dioica2023
Greater Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus pedunculatus2023
Welsh PoppyPapaver cambricum2023
Tufted Hair-grassDeschampsia cespitosa2023
AlderAlnus glutinosa2023
CrosswortCruciata laevipes2023
BrackenPteridium aquilinum2023
Curled DockRumex crispus2023
Creeping BentAgrostis stolonifera2023
YarrowAchillea millefolium2023
Festuca rubraFestuca rubra2023
Hedge BedstrawGalium album2023
Creeping Soft-grassHolcus mollis2023
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2023
White CloverTrifolium repens2023
Lesser StitchwortStellaria graminea2023
Marsh FoxtailAlopecurus geniculatus2023
PineappleweedMatricaria discoidea2023
Marsh WoundwortStachys palustris2023
Callitriche stagnalisCallitriche stagnalis2023
Common OracheAtriplex patula2023
NipplewortLapsana communis2023
Ground-elderAegopodium podagraria2023
Common ChickweedStellaria media2023
Male-fernDryopteris filix-mas2023
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium2023
SilverweedPotentilla anserina2023
Sea MayweedTripleurospermum maritimum2023
Wood AvensGeum urbanum2023
Phleum pratensePhleum pratense2023
Soft-rushJuncus effusus2023
Rosa caninaRosa canina2023
Maidenhair SpleenwortAsplenium trichomanes2023
GorseUlex europaeus2023
Perennial Sow-thistleSonchus arvensis2023
Rusty WillowSalix cinerea subsp. oleifolia2023
Bifid Hemp-nettleGaleopsis bifida2023
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense2023
Broad-leaved DockRumex obtusifolius2023
Meadow FoxtailAlopecurus pratensis2023
Tufted VetchVicia cracca2023
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus2023
Common Hemp-Nettle agg.Galeopsis tetrahit2023
Cock's-footDactylis glomerata2023
Bush VetchVicia sepium2023
Common Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatus2023
Wild AngelicaAngelica sylvestris2023
False Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatius2023
Annual Meadow-grassPoa annua2023
Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne2023
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea2023
BroomCytisus scoparius2023
BrambleRubus fruticosus2023
Field HorsetailEquisetum arvense2023
SycamoreAcer pseudoplatanus2023
HarebellCampanula rotundifolia2023
Lady-fernAthyrium filix-femina2023
Salix fragilisSalix fragilis2023
HollyIlex aquifolium2023
Polygonum avicularePolygonum aviculare2023
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2023
DandelionTaraxacum2023
IvyHedera helix2023
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis2023
Upright Hedge-parsleyTorilis japonica2023
Red BartsiaOdontites vernus2023
Malus sylvestrisMalus sylvestris2023
Creeping CinquefoilPotentilla reptans2023
AshFraxinus excelsior2023
Common NettleUrtica dioica2023
Rough ChervilChaerophyllum temulum2023
Shepherd's-purseCapsella bursa-pastoris2023
HoneysuckleLonicera periclymenum2023
Pale PersicariaPersicaria lapathifolia2023
Greater PlantainPlantago major2023
Hemlock Water-dropwortOenanthe crocata2023
American WillowherbEpilobium ciliatum2023
Marsh CudweedGnaphalium uliginosum2023
Common SorrelRumex acetosa2023
Sharp-flowered RushJuncus acutiflorus2023
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris2023
Centaurea nigraCentaurea nigra2023
Scots PinePinus sylvestris2023

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 The Carlisle Kid · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Holme Cultram Abbey/Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin-March 2016 (12)

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⛪St John's ChurchReligious grounds4.9 km→⛪St Mary's ChurchReligious grounds100 m→⛪St Mungo's ChurchReligious grounds3.7 km→⛪Foulsyke Methodist ChurchReligious grounds4.6 km→✦RAF ROTOR Transmit siteHistoric site2.4 km→✦RAF ROTOR Receive siteHistoric site2.7 km→

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