Hadrian's Wall Country
Getting there, what to see, what to do and where to stay.
Hadrian's Wall is a World Heritage Site. It is one of the best places in the UK for exploring history and culture, enjoying outdoor activities and for taking the kids.
Hadrian’s Wall is ideal for walking. The Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail is a wonderful long distance footpath but it also offers a network of circular walking routes in both rural and urban areas that are ideal for families who want to explore the area on more manageable terrain. Walking is the best way to see the wall up close.
Mark Richards Hadrian’s Wall Path, a Cicerone Guide is one of the best guide books for walking the trail. For short circular walks taking in the finest sections of the wall Jarrold’s Pathfinder Guide to Northumberland the Borders and Hadrian’s Wall is hard to beat. I walked all of these sections in 2006 while re-writing the text and they are some of the finest walks in England.
You can also cycle along the route of Hadrians Wall on Hadrian’s Cycleway. This runs for 120 miles, from Siloth on the Cumbrian coast to South Shields on the North East coast, close to the line of the Roman frontier. Although it’s a long distance route, like the footpath a series of smaller circular routes have been developed to allow families to tackle some more manageable sections with options of stopping off at forts and museums along the way.
Getting There
Hadrian's Wall spans the north of England, from the Irish Sea on the Cumbrian coast to the North Sea on the North East coast. Getting to the World Heritage Site couldn't be easier:
By Air: Newcastle Airport has regular flights to/from Europe and the UK.
By Rail: Fast, frequent rail services connect Newcastle (GNER) and Carlisle (Virgin) with the rest of the UK. Information on timetables and fares is obtainable from National Rail Enquiries.
By Road: There are very good motorway connections between all sections of Hadrian's Wall and the rest of the UK. Information on specific journeys and further details about breaks, accommodation and attractions is available from Hadrian's Wall Country website.
