It is situated to the west of Carlisle on the southern side of the Solway Firth estuary separating England and Scotland.

The west end of the Hadrian's Wall Path is marked by a pavilion on the small coastal cliff at Bowness.

[2] The village is situated on the site of the Roman fort called Maia, the second largest on Hadrian's Wall.

The two original bells were stolen by border raiders in 1626, accidentally dropping them in the Solway during their flight.

Traditionally, on inception, the vicar of Annan petitions the village's neighbours for the return of his bells.