Hadrians Wall Walks and other walks in the region

There are few places in England more trodden by holiday walkers than the Hadrians Wall Path which stretches from Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria, to Tyneside in Northumbria. The trail follows the 84 miles of Hadrians Wall, constructed during the time of the Roman Occupation and completed in AD122.

Landscapes, seascapes and cloudscapes present a panorama which has few equals and has remained largely unchanged over centuries. This area of enduring beauty, once known as the "Debateable Lands", fiercely fought over by local clans and home to marauding Border Reivers created one of the most violent regions in Britain. Some law and order was eventually restored during the reign of James 1, but by this time many Reivers and families had wearied of the constant warfare and sought a new life in the Americas and Australia.

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk the moon, and former President Richard Nixon having the same surname as some of those settlers may well be descendants. Readers can check their own surnames against those of the Reivers by visiting www.hadrians-wall.org or www.reiversguide.co.uk

The Hadrians Wall Path is not a leisurely stroll; it requires careful preparation if the complete length is to be attempted. May to October is the better time when the ground is drier. Allow 6-7 days and research and reserve accommodation well in advance. Try and make a note of shops, cash points and public transport facilities along the route. The Hadrians Wall Bus Service A122 operates between Carlisle and Newcastle from Easter – November stopping at towns and villages on the way. There are some sections which provide easy access for those less well abled and the Walk is also linked to several other appealing shorter walks.

Cyclists are not forgotten. Hadrians Cycleway begins at Glannaventa Roman Bath in Ravenglass and follows the line of Hadrians Wall for much of the ride to Arbeia Roman Fort in the east of the country. It's a well way-marked route largely over gravel and tarmac surfaces and minor roads. As with the walkers, it's advisable to plan and reserve accommodation well in advance.
No matter if you are on foot or two wheels, this is a wonderful journey over some of Northern Englands most spectacular scenery and an adventure not to be missed.

Visit ‘Discover Lakeland’ with friendly and informative guided tours of the Lake District, Hadrian’s Wall and Cumbria. - www.discoverlakeland.co.uk

The Hadrian's Wall Walk Route Information

*Bowness on Solway* There is an air of imperturbability about this small community of brightly painted stone cottages flanking narrow streets, one pub and a 12th C church which was partly built with stone taken from Hadrians Wall. It occupies a position within an area designated as one of Outstanding Natural Beauty with long distance views across the Solway to the Scottish mainland. The nearby saltmarsh and wet grasslands of Campfield Marsh RSPB where cattle quietly graze are home to a varied mix of native wildlife. Viewing points and hides with wheelchair access are available. Bowness on Solway is not only the start and/or finish point of the Hadrians Wall Walk, it is a perfect longer term holiday destination. Accommodation both in the village and the surrounding areas provide high standards of comfort, good value for money, and many with rooms overlooking the beauty that is the Solway Coast. Bus Services. The AD122 operates a service between Carlisle and Newcastle, and Stagecoach operate the all-year-round 93 service between Bowness and Carlisle.. Post Office. The Post Office is housed within a private dwelling half way along the main street. With effect from November 2nd 2009, it will be open on Mondays only from 9am – 5pm. Until then it opens Monday and Thursday from 9am to Noon and 1pm to 3pm. A sign placed on the pavement during opening hours will show the location.
*Port Carlisle* A long straight narrow road without walls or hedging is an opportunity for fine views as it follows the coastline from Bowness on Solway to this scattering of houses, a well kept bowling green, and a comfortable pub with offerings of bar snacks and a selection of real ales, wines and spirits. It occupies a peaceful setting of uninterrupted coastal views. A worthy travellers rest.
*Burgh by Sands* Burgh stands within the Solway Coast area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Hadrians Wall World Heritage Site. Close by are the villages of Moorhouse and Thurstonfield where it is said Bonnie Prince Charlie visited during his siege of Carlisle in 1745. To the west are the hamlets of Dykesfield and Longburgh. Burgh by Sands is a peaceful community far removed from its days as a centre of Border warfare when as the lowest fordable point on the Solway, armies crossed and recrossed during the 300 years of vicious conflicts. John Stagg, Cumbrian dialect poet and known as “The Blind Bard” was born in the village. He lost his sight in a childhood accident and spent his life writing of the local people their dialect and customs. Burgh by Sands is a convenient stop-over on the walk. The coastal area teems with wildlife and is renowned for birdwatching opportunities. There are chances of otter sightings, and, very occasionally, small whales. Accommodation in and around is especially walker friendly. The local pub provides warmth, a good menu prepared from local produce, bar snacks and a good selection of drinks. The Post Office, across the road from the pub opens twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays from 9am to midday and 3pm to 5pm. Here you may purchase from a selection of home-made jams and chutneys. Cash Point within the shop.

Greyhound Inn, (Burgh by Sands)

Walkers will find the doors open for food and drink from 10a.m. Tuesday to Thursday inclusive during the summer months.
Excellent home cooked fare from local produce. Call 01228-576579.

Burgh to Carlisle
Monkhill, Grinsdale and Beaumont are examples of small village communities close to Hadrians Wall where everyday life comfortably co-exists with relics of days gone by. Friendly owners offer a comprehensive range of accommodation suited to the needs of the walker and cyclist. There are views over and beyond the Solway Estuary and relaxing riverside walks alongside the northwards flowing River Eden, where, at its narrowest point close to Beaumont, cattle drovers and border raiders crossed. Sections of St; Marys Church, Beaumont was built using stone taken from the Wall. There are some limited bus services to the regions capital of Carlisle.

Carlisle
A city with the imprints of history for all to see. Plenty of accommodation both within and on the outskirts plus the chance to replenish your rucksack from any number of retail outlets. A choice of cash points, post offices, banks, bus and mainline railway services. Take time to visit the very informative Tullie Museum, Carlisle Castle, the Cathedral and the old city walls. From here you will soon be entering a section of fewer amenities so stock up well.
For more information on Carlisle, see our Carlisle Tourist information page.

Irthington
Irthington is a small community standing only half a mile from Hadrians Wall and set amidst a peaceful countryside crossed by paths and bridleways for both walkers and cyclists. It's a small collection of houses, a pub, and a general store. The stores owner, Mrs Davidson, supplies just about everything including groceries, fruit and vegetables. A mobile Post Office calls and operates from within the store on Mondays 1pm. – 5pm. and from 9am. – 1pm. on Thursdays. A limited AD122 bus service request halt is close to the village on the A689. There's a good choice of accommodation within the area catering for both short term and long term guests and especially the walkers and cyclists undertaking the Hadrians route.

Brampton
Brampton is the perfect stop-over whether you are taking part in all or only a shorter section of the Walk. It stands in beautiful countryside a few miles to the south of the Wall and provides a varied selection of shops, a Bank, Post Office, Cash Point, Tourist Information Centre, bus and rail services. This ancient market town and surrounding villages has a large choice of year round accommodations serving all categories of guests.
See below for our featured Hadrian's Wall accommodations.

Gilsland
Gilsland stands astride the border between Cumbria and Northumbria in the very heart of Hadrians Wall country. Birdoswald Roman Fort, the Roman Army Museum, Poltross Burn Milecastle and the highest remains of the Wall at Walltown Crags are nearby popular visitor attractions. The village's two comfortable pubs and a tea-room provide food and drink and a well stocked general store with cash point opens 7.30am. - 5.30pm. (lunch 12-1.30pm.) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Half days, mornings only, on Thursdays and Saturdays. Closed Sundays. A mobile Post Office visits and operates from the Village Hall from 1pm.- 4pm. on Tuesdays and 9.30am. - 12.30pm. on Thursdays and Fridays. Good quality comfortable accommodation is available in and close to the village.

Hadrian's Wall, Northumbria

Haltwhistle
Standing half a mile to the south of the Wall, Haltwhistle is within the spectacular and best preserved section of the Wall between Gilsland and Chester Roman Fort and Museum where the wall crossed the River North Tyne.
It is a town attracting an increasing number of visitors to it's walking, cycling and hiking trails and as such is well equipped to meet their needs. There's a good range of shops, a Bank, Cash Point, Post Office and road and rail passenger services between Newcastle and Carlisle.
A Tourist Information Centre is housed in the railway station. It is open all year but closed on Sundays and with reduced hours of 9.30am.to 3.30pm. from 1st November to Easter. Tel: 01434-32202.

Bardon Mill, Haydon Bridge, Newbrough and Fourstones are small villages with accommodations close to the wall as it continues eastwards in the direction of Hexham.

Hexham
A market town retaining a clear sense of its Border history. The first church to be built here was in 674AD and in nearby Chollerford stands a cross to commemorate the conversion of Northumbria to Christianity. The Hexham Races draws large crowds to what is one of the Norths main horse racing venues and at such times accommodation may be hard to find within the immediate area. Hexham has a wide choice of shops, pubs, cafés, tearooms, a library, Post Office, a Bank and regular road and rail passenger services.

Corbridge
Corbridge is rich in Roman History and one of the last larger communities close to the Wall before reaching Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Since its days it was built as the Roman town of Corstopitum it has emerged over the centuries to become an attractive tourist destination of excellent shopping facilities, Post Office, cafés, restaurants, pubs and art and craft shops. Generally busy in the summer months it becomes even more so at the time of the annual Corbridge Agricultural Show and home to the Northumberland County Show held in the early summer. Check for available accommodation well in advance.

Heddon on the Wall
Situated on the line of the Wall, Heddon is a popular walker and tourist stop. Longer term visitors use it as a base from which to explore the Northumbrian National Park. There are shops, two pubs, a library and a Post Office which opens Monday to Saturday from 7.30am. - 6pm. and Sundays until mid-day. A cash point is inside the building. Next door is Dingle Bell selling hot and cold drinks, a selection of sandwiches and other sundry items. It is on regular bus service route which operates between Carlisle and Newcastle. The Hadrians Wall Bus AD122 runs in the summer months. The closest railway station is in Wylam 3 miles away.

Wallsend
The Segedunum Roman Fort Baths and Museum in Wallsend mark, as the name suggests, the end of the Wall. Wallsend lays close to the main conurbation of Newcastle- upon- Tyne which began life as a defensive fort. It is a city full of energy where the walker can rest and celebrate either the start or the finish of an 84 mile journey through some of the most remarkable landscapes in Britain.

Hadrians Wall Passport
These can be obtained from Local Tourist Information Centres close to the route and stamped at 6 positions along the way. They are to encourage long distance users to walk the trail during the drier months of the year and so reduce the risk of erosion which occurs in wetter conditions.
Please support the people living and working along the route of Hadrians wall by using their accommodation, shops, pubs, restaurants and anything related to your journey, and please do not walk or climb on to the Wall and so help conserve it for the benefit of future generations.

Historic Structures on route
Milecastle 48
Birdoswald Fort
Willowford Bridge
Banks Turrets 51B and 52A
Pike Hill Signal Tower

Short Walks in the region

Brampton - Banks Turret - 5 miles. Takes in Lanercost Priory/ Outdoor Sculptures.
Banks Turret - Wallholme Low Row - 6 miles. Woodlands & lanes, roe deer, red squirrel.
Coomcrag Wood - Chapel Burn - 6 miles. Woodland and wildlife.
Birdoswald - Gilsland - 7 Miles. Riverside path, steep wooded areas.
Newtown - Irthington and Walton - 8 Miles. Pastures and farmland.
Kingsmoor Nature Reserve, “Talkin Tarn”
Finglandrigg National Nature Reserve
Milton Rigg Wood
High Strand Plantation
Gelt Woods
Lucy's Cave
Irthing Gorge
Solway Wilderness Walk

Please note that dogs are permitted on walks marked with a dog symbol but must be kept on a lead.

Click here for Hadrian's Wall Photographs