Hadrian's Wall Guided Walk

Travel to Newcastle and then onto Whitley Bay. Stretch your legs and take the time to visit St Mary's Island, Lighthouse and Visitor Centre where you will experience spectacular coastal views. This evening you will meet your fellow walkers and guide for a trip briefing. Accommodation: We use different accommodations near the Promenade, both are 4* properties.

Today we take the 20-min train from Whitley Bay to Wallsend; the start of guided Hadrian's Wall walk. If we have time before setting off, take a close look at the remains of the Roman fort of Segedunum which marks the beginning of the route today. This is a multi award-winning site, with reconstructions of a Roman Bath House and an excellent interactive museum. From the Tourist Information in Wallsend, by the Swan Hunter Ship Yard, the trail heads out following the walls of the ancient Roman fort of Segedunum. Take the old Tyne to Blyth railway line, now a footpath through to Walker where you join the River Tyne at the Riverside Park and pass Byker. You come into the riverside area of downtown Newcastle upon Tyne with vistas of the elegant Tyne Bridges and of the Newcastle skyline including St. Nicholas Cathedral. There should be time to climb up to Newcastle Keep. Walk out of the city alongside the river. There is plenty of evidence of present and former industrial activity. As you get to the old village of Newburn, the countryside really begins to open up. You are now in the county of Northumberland. Just before you would cross the River Tyne for Heddon on the Wall, on the trail, we turn off for Wylam and our overnight stop at the end of this flattish day. Accommodation: You will be split between accommodation in the small village of Wylam

After crossing over the River Tyne, we have our first steep ascent up to Heddon on the Wall, where there are some wall remains. To beyond Chollerford now, the National Trail follows beside the roads that have been built over part of the Wall. The Wall itself became a source of material for the foundations of General Wade’s military road, the trail often follows along the Vallum, the ancient ditch line created as a defensive feature when the Wall was built. Look out for remains of Vindobala Fort and the reservoirs around Welton. There is a pub at East Wall Houses after about 6 miles. A slight deviation to Halton after 9 miles might be in order to admire the old keep. Accommodation: The George Hotel is situated close to Hadrian’s Wall route and the Tyne. This hotel is an ideal spot for walkers to relax.

The route follows beside the road as far as Fozy Moss, where the road veers off the wall as it reaches the crags of the Whin Sill Escarpment. This stage of Hadrian's Wall roller coasters to Housesteads, with its famed fort and National Trust Museum. There are excellent views over the “Northward Tynescape” to the Bellingham and Simonside Hills. You now follow arguably the most scenic section of the trip; over Highshield Crags and then down via Peel Crags to Steel Rigg. From here you can walk out to Once Brewed. Accommodation: Twice Brewed Inn is situated a stones throw from the Wall. The Inn is a firm favourite with our clients.

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed start to the day as your guide will lead a short, scenic morning walk to Vindolanda. This is a remarkable Roman frontier fort and settlement where archaeologists are still unearthing new discoveries to this day. This award-winning museum offers a rare glimpse into life on the edge of the Roman Empire and is well worth exploring at length. Alternatively, you may want to make use of the local AD122 bus service to visit nearby sites such as Housesteads Roman Fort, Chesters Fort, or the Roman Army Museum. Alternatively, stay local to rest your legs or stroll over to The Sill, the UK’s National Landscape Discovery Centre, with its immersive exhibits and rooftop views across Northumberland National Park. As night falls, you’ll have a special stargazing experience. This area of Northumberland lies within Europe’s largest Dark Sky Park, and with expert guidance and telescopes on hand, you'll have the chance to spot constellations, planets, and maybe even the Milky Way. A fitting end to a day that blends ancient history with the wonder of the cosmos. Accommodation: Your second night is spent at Twice Brewed Inn. Take the option to visit their purpose-built planetarium with a 360 degree immersive dome and join an experienced astronomer who will bring the universe to life in a Stargazing Experience. Head outdoors to gaze at the stars through telescopes and contemplate life beyond earth.

The wall climbs to its highest point over Windshields Crags, before descending to the delightfully named Bogle Hole. Then down steps through Thorny Doors and up Cawfields Crags with excellent views onto the Pennines. The way passes by Great Chesters and Magnis (Roman forts), passing Greenhead, the ruin of medieval Thirlwall castle and in another mile or so crosses the Cumbria / Northumberland border on the River Irthing at Gilsand. There are interesting Roman defences to visit at Birdoswald, and eventually after a trek to Banks you will hopefully find a shop/post office open for refreshment. Banks overlooks the Irthing Valley and Lanercost priory below. From here there are few signs of Hadrian's Wall remaining so enjoy the last significant portion maintained by English Heritage at Hare Hill. The path starts to slowly descend to Garthside. There are interesting views over the Irthing Valley as the walk heads into Walton. This is easy walking along the edge of fields and beside some old established hardwood trees. On approaching Walton the way drops into the valley below crossing King Water. A short section of road takes the walk into the village of Walton, a small village with an interesting church in the centre beside the village green. From Walton, a group transfer takes you to your accommodation in Brampton. Accommodation: Your accommodation tonight is The Howard Arms. It is a family run pub that has a relaxed atmosphere. *For the May departure, you will be spread across two accommodations.

Return by taxi to Walton, from there the route continues undulating across country. After crossing the very attractive Cam beck, you briefly join the road at Newtown Village near the green before skipping across the fields. Here you are following the wall line via Old Wall, Blea head and Wall head farms, before detouring on a little “sandy lane” that takes you down to The Stanegate, the old Roman road that leads into Crosby on Eden and the River Eden. Now you will be riverside walking for about a mile. At Linstock there is a medieval ‘pele’, Peel Tower that rang in times of danger so that the locals could congregate within its fortifications. Next you come to Rickerby which has, in contrast, a Victorian folly tower. Finally cross the River Eden, meander towards Stanwix, then up into Carlisle - a very interesting historical city, with a castle started by Henry I, extensive wall and other Roman remains and then there is the cathedral. The town has changed hands several times between Scotland and England and this is reflected in parts of the town’s structure. Carlisle is quite a bit smaller than Newcastle. A lot of the buildings such as the castle and the Old Town Hall are made of fine red sandstone. Beer fans will not want to miss out a couple of drams, as this is the centre for the Theakstone’s Brewery. Visit the Tullie House Museum for a fine collection of Roman remains. The inner city has been pedestrianised making exploration enjoyable around the market square. Accommodation: For two nights we stay at the comfortable Crown & Mitre Hotel, it is centrally located sitting within a grand Edwardian property just behind Carlisle Cathedral.

As you have a second night in Carlisle, this afternoon, we take the bus back. The walk itself from Carlisle follows at first the southern side of the River Eden. The trail follows the Eden once again, more or less parallel with the line of the Wall and Vallum, through Grinsdale and Beaumont where you at last veer away from the Eden. You get good views from just north of the village to the peaks of Skiddaw and High Pike to the south and across the Solway Firth to the West. Through Burgh by Sands, a short detour takes you to the point on the marsh where Edward I died in 1307. In the vicinity of Dykesfield House, the trail joins an old railway embankment for a couple of miles before rejoining the line of “The Wall” near Glasson. From here the route follows the minor road to Bowness on Solway, the site of the Roman fort of Maia and our journey’s end. You have walked across England along Hadrian's Wall, congratulations!

Trip concludes after breakfast.