Hadrian’s Wall Self-Guided

Travel to Newcastle and then onto Whitley Bay (or Tynemouth of you prefer/ subject to availability). Stretch your legs and take the time to visit St Mary’s Island, Lighthouse and Visitor Centre where you will experience spectaluar coastal views.

A short train ride to Wallsend and the start of the walk. If you 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 awardwinning 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.

After crossing over the River Tyne, you have your 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 Wallhouses after about 6 miles. A slight deviation to Halton after 9 miles might be in order to admire the old keep.

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 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 and adjacent Twice Brewed.

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.

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 Wallhead 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 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 ales, 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.

From Carlisle following the southern side of the River Eden. The trail follows 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 journey’s end.

Arrangements end after breakfast.