Trip code: W05HW 4.8 (29 reviews)
Self-guided walking
5 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
10.0Kg CO2e
Printed route
directions
Dog friendly
Hadrian's Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is Britain's largest archaeological feature and was the northernmost limit of the Roman Empire. An immense feat of labour, the building of the wall started in AD122 during the reign of emperor Hadrian and took 6 years to complete. Three Roman legions completed the task of building a 73 mile long wall with 80 milecastle fortlets with two observation turrets between each one and then larger garrison forts every five miles or so along the wall.
This 5-night self-guided walk along Hadrian's Wall, from West to East, starts at Lanercost Priory and ends in Corbridge, taking in some of the best-preserved Roman sites in the UK. We've chosen this route direction so the prevailing winds (and any inclement weather!) are always at your back and the scenery in this direction is considerably better than the other way round.
Follow Hadrian's Wall Path across the rolling countryside and rugged moorland of Northumberland. The route passes the world-famous Sycamore Gap and over craggy hillsides, such as those of Walltown, Winshield and Sewingshields Crags.
You'll have the possibility of visiting some amazingly well-preserved sites including the Roman forts of Birdoswald, Vindolanda, Housesteads and Chesters. These sites offer a captivating journey into the history and significance of this iconic frontier and allow you to truly appreciate the engineering feat that marked the northernmost boundary of the Roman Empire. Wander through the ruins of a Roman fort, a turret, and a milecastle, each telling a unique story of life along the wall. Delve into the story of Hadrian's Wall through informative displays, artifacts, and interactive elements that bring the history of the Wall to life. Gain a deeper understanding of the strategic importance of this frontier and the lives of those who inhabited and defended it. You finish your route in the affluent and once-bustling Roman town of Corbridge.
Stay in welcoming inns, guesthouses and B&B's with hearty Northumberland breakfasts to set you up for a day of exploring.
Some of the paths can be very muddy and occasionally boggy and/or waterlogged, not just in early season, but throughout the whole summer. This is the north of England after all.
Arrive in Greenhead and overnight.
You stay at Blenkinsopp Castle Inn.
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Dating back to the 13th century, this traditional former Coaching Stable is a treasure trove of architectural features. Connected to the grade 1 listed Blenkinsopp Castle, originally a medieval fortified manor house. Featuring 5 spacious rooms, all with external doors with access to an outside patio and sun terrace. Amenities include a bar and bistro serving evening meals.
All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, tea and coffee making facilities and private bathroom.
Take a taxi to Lanercost Priory (payable locally) to discover the beauty and tranquillity of Cumbria's best-preserved Augustinian monastery with its intact triple tier arches and cloisters. It is an evocative place, constructed almost entirely from sandstone pilfered from Hadrian's Wall. Walk back to the hotel in Greenhead along Hadrian's Wall Path and the longest remaining stretch of the wall. Along the way, you will pass the remains of numerous Milecastles and Turrets and impressive sections of The Wall, enjoying wonderful views (notably from Banks East Turret). Look forward to the expansive Birdoswald Fort; Harrows Scar Wall and the impressive Willowford Wall. Overnight in Greenhead.
You stay at Blenkinsopp Castle Inn.
ShopsMastercardVisaWiFiTV
Dating back to the 13th century, this traditional former Coaching Stable is a treasure trove of architectural features. Connected to the grade 1 listed Blenkinsopp Castle, originally a medieval fortified manor house. Featuring 5 spacious rooms, all with external doors with access to an outside patio and sun terrace. Amenities include a bar and bistro serving evening meals.
All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, tea and coffee making facilities and private bathroom.
Follow the Hadrian's Wall Path (and parts of the Pennine Way) to Once Brewed. Walk along the top of the stunning Walltown and Cawfields Crags, both offering wonderful views of the wild and dramatic landscape. Reaching the summit of Winshield Crags, enjoy a superb 360 panorama from this, the highest point on the whole of the Hadrian's Wall Path. Extend your walk to visit the highly recommended Roman Fort and Museum at Vindolanda, constructed before Hadrian's Wall as a garrison on the Stanegate Road - the first Roman frontier in the north. The site provides a unique glimpse into the history of Roman occupation in the region and showcases the evolving nature of the fort over the years. Overnight in Once Brewed.
You stay at Twice Brewed Inn.
Set in the village of Once Brewed, The Twice Brewed Inn has a restaurant, bar, garden, and free WiFi throughout the property. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. There is an onsite Brew House (brewery) producing some excellent ales named after local landmarks and Roman connections (Ale Caesar!, Sycamore Gap and Northern Frontier). There is also an observatory and a group of guides who run regular star-gazing sessions. These can be booked online in advance at an extra charge.
All guest rooms in the inn are fitted with a kettle. At The Twice Brewed Inn all rooms include a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a Full English/Irish or a vegetarian breakfast.
You can also play darts at The Twice Brewed Inn and private parking can be arranged (at an extra charge).
Today's walk takes you along Hadrian's Wall Path past the famous Sycamore Gap to enjoy fabulous views of Crag Lough and the rolling Northumberland hills. Visit the Housesteads Roman Fort & Museum - one of the best-preserved Roman forts in the country and its setting is without doubt the most impressive. The Museum adds another layer to the understanding of Roman history in the region, offering a unique and immersive experience by utilizing various multimedia elements to bring the story of the fort to life. Walk along the Sewingshields Crags with excellent views over Broomlee Lough and on to Chesters Fort. One of the notable features of Chesters Roman Fort is its unusually well-preserved baths and steam room. Overnight in Chollerford.
(n.b. Sadly, the tree at Sycamore Gap was vandalised and felled in September 2023 so is no longer there. The site continues to be a popular landmark and has since sprouted from the stump. Standing in a dramatic dip in the landscape created by glacial meltwater, it was one of the country's most photographed trees and an emblem for the North East of England).
You stay at The George Hotel.
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Northumberland hotels are known for their historic beauty, and the George Hotel is no exception - the picturesque stone-build building dates all the way back to the 18th century.
Out of all of the hotels in Hexham and Chollerford, The George is in one of the most wonderful positions on the pretty North Tyne River, near to the walking route for Hadrian’s Wall and five minutes’ walk to Chester’s roman fort. Browse the shops, galleries, theatre and arts centre clustered round the medieval Abbey in nearby Hexham or explore Muckle Moss National Nature Reserve, the North Pennines, Kielder Water and the International Dark Skies Park.
In total The George Hotel sports 47 bedrooms, each room contains the familiar comforts including a tea and coffee making station, in-room safe, en-suite and TV.
Follow the Hadrian's Wall Path to visit St Oswald's Church, then head south, passing the idyllic hamlet of Halton with its (private) castle before calling in at the magnificent Aydon Castle. Open to the public, Aydon Castle is a must-see (closed on a Mon & Tues). This fortified 13th century English manor house is almost completely intact and has a walled orchard perfect for picnics. The walk meanders across fields and grazing pastures, and through small woodlands, with expansive and far-reaching views over the rolling Northumberland countryside. Quiet country lanes and field paths then take you down into the delightful Roman Garrison town of Corbridge. Overnight in Corbridge.
You stay at The Angel Inn.
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Dating back to 1569, The Angel of Corbridge is an historic coaching inn offering great British hearty pub grub, local real ales and roaring log fires. Set in affluent Corbridge, itself surrounded by beautiful Northumberland countryside, this inn is the perfect location for discovering Corbridge Roman garrison town with its main street, flanked by the remains of granaries, a fountain house, markets, workshops and temples.
The Angel Inn has 11 quaint and quirky rooms with en-suite bathroom, tea & coffee making facilities, flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi and bottled water. The inn offers a wonderful menu of pub grub and there is even an in-house 'chippy' (fish & chip shop)! A hearty cooked Northumberland breakfast is offered the following morning.
Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used
Depart after breakfast
These tour prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £315.
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
Self-guided walking
5 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2
Moderate
10.0Kg CO2e
Printed route
directions
Dog friendly
