In
122 A.D the Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered a great wall to be built ‘to
separate Romans from Barbarians’ across northern Britain at its
narrowest point between the Solway Firth and the North Sea. It was
extended and enhanced with impressive stone defences following natural
ridge lines and with a deep ditch (The Vallum) dug alongside it. Later
much of the stonework was mortared allowing it to survive the centuries to
become one of the oldest structures in the country today. However the
walking path that traces its line is in fact the youngest National Trail,
opened only in May 2003 and now with Sherpa you too can feel like a
Legionary, or at least an auxiliary, with the opportunity of walking its
82 mile/133 km length!
This is a great
walk, with a lot of scenic variety from the modern, busy cityscapes of
Newcastle Upon Tyne to the red sandstone hues of medieval Carlisle. From
the barren blustery heights of Highshields Crags in the Northumberland
National Park; to the lime green pastoral scenes of the Eden valley.
Omnipotent along the route the Wall snakes its way. In sections
interrupting a housing estate here, popping up under a road there. Then
from being little more than a grassy bank it transforms into stone and
rollercoasters over crag tops and down into impressive fort like
structures such as at Housesteads.
After a visit to
the excavated fort at Segedunum, you commence along the River Tyne and
under the Tyne Bridge, alighting on the line of the wall for the first
time at Heddon On The Wall. The route runs beside the road, past
milecastles and Roman forts at Vindobala, Onvvm and Chesters at
Chollerford with its impressive bath house and relics of a Roman Bridge.
Crossing into the Northumberland National Park, the route passes the
temple at Mithraeum, before leaving the road and up onto Sewingshields
Crags, with great views over Broomlee lough to the impressive Housesteads
Fort – watch out for the latrines! Via Steel Rigg we continue crossing
the wilds until dropping down to the romantic remains of the 14th century
Thirlwall Castle and past the Romano-Victorian Birdoswald fort. The
landscape becomes a little tamer as you head down into the beautiful Eden
Valley and so on into Carlisle with its chequered border history and both
Roman and medieval features. Normally you have two nights here as the
final flattish push to Bowness on Solway we do in reverse by taking the
morning bus and walking back into Carlisle giving you plenty of time to
look around the town.
7
nights/8 days - The accommodation on this tour may vary
with availability at certain times, however we include a good range
from guesthouses and small hotels. Ensuite bedrooms are normal, but
cannot be guaranteed. In Whitley Bay the hotel sits on the promenade
overlooking its golden sands. In Wylam
we stay in a homely guesthouse with ensuite. At HumsHaugh,
located only half a mile from the wall, is a welcoming working farm
which offers magnificent views of Northumberland. At Housesteads,
half a mile north of the wall, there is a beautiful farm
accommodation with vast views across the moors. Our attractive Inn
at Lannercost is close to the ancient bridge and priory. It
has ensuite rooms, a nice bar and a drying room. Finally we have two
nights in a friendly small hotel in Carlisle, close to the
centre.
Sherpa Notes
Waymarks
This is a National Trail and is generally well waymarked with the
White Acorn marks on ‘finger’ posts, stiles, fences, signs etc.
Accommodation
and Meals
On a bed and breakfast basis. Evening meals are either available
locally in nearby pubs or restaurants or at your accommodation. We
provide ensuite rooms as a rule but they may not always be available
at some locations.
Start
and End of Tour
The starting point of the tour is Whitley Bay, easily reached by
Metro from Newcastle. After breakfast on Day 8: Carlisle is straight
forward to exit from and get onto mainline rail or bus services.
In
122 A.D the Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered a great wall to be built ‘to
separate Romans from Barbarians’ across northern Britain at its
narrowest point between the Solway Firth and the North Sea. It was
extended and enhanced with impressive stone defences following natural
ridge lines and with a deep ditch (The Vallum) dug alongside it. Later
much of the stonework was mortared allowing it to survive the centuries to
become one of the oldest structures in the country today. However the
walking path that traces its line is in fact the youngest National Trail,
opened only in May 2003 and now with Sherpa you too can feel like a
Legionary, or at least an auxiliary, with the opportunity of walking its
82 mile/133 km length!