On a low ridge south of the Wall, near the village of Low Row, the foundations of a Roman stone tower sit in a field with a commanding view up and down the Irthing valley. The signal station on Mains Rigg belonged to the system of the Stanegate, the road that ran from Corbridge to Carlisle before the Wall was built, and it allowed messages to be passed between forts by fire, smoke or flags. From here, on a clear day, you can see for miles: west to Carlisle, east toward the Pennines and north over the Wall.
The Irthing valley here is a lovely mix of farmland, woods and river, with the moors rising to the north and the Pennines to the south. It is quiet country, with small villages and farms. Talkin Tarn, a small glacial lake near Brampton, is a popular spot for walking, rowing and picnics, and the woods around it are full of birds.
The riding here is gentle and pleasant. The A69 runs along the valley as the main road, fast and busy, but the minor roads that branch off it are quieter, winding through farmland and villages with good views. The roads can be narrow, with high hedges and tractors, so take care. North of the valley, roads climb onto the moors, with wide open views and few cars.
Brampton, nine kilometres away, is a market town with fuel, shops and cafés. It was where Bonnie Prince Charlie received the surrender of Carlisle in 1745, and six of his supporters were later hanged from the Capon Tree on the edge of town, where a memorial now stands. Carlisle, twenty three kilometres away, has everything, including a cathedral, a castle and the Tullie House museum, which tells the story of the Wall and the Border reivers.
The signal station is on private land but can be viewed from a footpath. The weather here can be wet and windy, so bring waterproofs. Spring and early summer are lovely, when the hedgerows are full of flowers and the lambs are in the fields.