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.

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.

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.

[7] 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.

[10] 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.