Hadrian’s Wall was built in AD122 during the rule of Emperor Hadrian and it took three legions more than 6 years to build it.
With a length of 73 miles (80 Roman miles) it is the largest ancient monument in northern Europe and spans England’s peninsula between Wallsend near Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the east and Bowness-on-Solway in the west.
Hadrian's Wall © flickr/Bryn Pinzgauer
The wall that used to be 15 feet high and up to 10 feet thick was not built to keep the Scots out as popular stories tell, but is believed to have been some sort of customs post to enable the Romans to keep track of population flow between the north and the south of Britain.
Visitors of Hadrian’s Wall Country will find something to suit every taste and every budget. There are 14 major Roman sites, forts and museums and numerous milecastles and turrets to explore. But of course there are interesting non-Roman places in Hadrian’s Wall Country too and throughout the year many events take place to entertain both visitors and locals.
If you enjoy walking you can walk along the wall over the whole distance. The walking trail has a length of 84 miles and leads through rugged moorland, rolling fields and urban landscape.
But there are of course circular walks and shorter trails too to suit all abilities and they also take many sights along the way.
Plenty of accommodation and help with baggage transfer help you enjoy the walk.
And if you don’t fancy walking why not explore the Hadrian’s Cycleway with a length of 174 miles that goes through the entire World Heritage Site. It is clearly signposted and takes the cyclists to the major Roman sites and other attractions located just a short distance from the main route.
For children there are many hands-on activities in places such as Arbeia or Segedunum. At the Roman Army Museum they can learn all about how to join the Roman army and there are special family events at Corbridge, Chesters, Housesteads and Birdoswald. And even though the Stephenson Railway Museum at North Shields is not Roman, train-loving children (and adults) will love it.
When you walk along the wall from east to west, you can get a first impression of how Roman life used to be at the Segedenum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum. Newcastle offers great shopping and dining facilities and a thriving arts scene.
In Corbridge you will not only find the remains of a garrison town but also boutique shopping.
From Haydon Bridge you can easily get to Houseteads Roman Fort and Sewingshields Wall, Turret and Milecastle. Houseteads is the most complete Roman fort in Britain and you can enjoy stunning views from the walls of the fortress. When you walk along the barrack blocks you can imagine how life must have been at Roman times.
Vindolanda © flickr/nicksarebi
From Bardon Mill it is not far to Northumberland National Park or Roman Vindolanda. Another base for visiting Northumberland National Park is Gilsland. From there you also get to Birdoswald Roman Fort and to the remains of the Roman river crossing at Willowford with Thirlwall Castle nearby.
Brampton not only used to be the headquarters of the Jacobites but still is a good place to stay.
Carlisle is a thriving city with not only great shopping facilities as well as art and culture but also remains of the past. Carlisle Castle has welcomed visitors since Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobites.
Sitting on the stunning Solway Firth (an Area of Outstanding Beauty) is Bowness-on-Solway. Gazing at Scotland the area is a heaven for wildlife.
A starting point for the C2C (coast to coast) cycleway is Whitehaven.
Bird lovers will love St Bees Head as it is home of the largest seabird colony of north-west England. A cliff top path leads across the sandstone cliffs.
From Ravenglass with its bath houses you can easily get to the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway and to Muncaster Castle.
