Walking The Best of Hadrian's Wall

6 Days Excluding Flights From

6 Days from

£ 699

Walking & Trekking

Activity Level

Moderate

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Ages :

12+

Trip Code :

W05HW

Hadrian’s Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is Britain’s largest archaeological feature and was the northernmost limit of the Roman Empire.

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.

Highlights

Walk along Hadrian's Wall - the largest historical monument in Britain
Visit the ancient Roman forts of Birdoswald, Vindolanda, Housesteads and Chesters
Walk from West to East, keeping the prevailing winds behind you (and better views)
Beautiful scenery with views across to the Lake District and the Northumberland Coast
Discover other historical buildings including Lanercost Priory and St Oswald's Church

What's Included

All breakfasts
Route notes and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels

What's Not Included

City break add-on in Newcastle (available for a supplement)
Travel insurance
Single supplement (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

4 Days of Walking & Trekking

Day 2

14 km / 8.7 miles

Day 3

11 km / 6.8 miles

Day 4

20 km / 12.4 miles

Day 5

15 km / 9.3 miles

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

TRIP

W05HW - Walking The Best of Hadrian’s Wall

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Itinerary

Greenhead Corbridge

Arrive in Greenhead and overnight.

Meals included: Breakfast

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.

Distance covered: 9mi (14km)

Meals included: Breakfast

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.

Distance covered: 7mi (11km)

Meals included: Breakfast

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.

Distance covered: 12mi (20km)

Meals included: Breakfast

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.

Distance covered: 9mi (15km)

Meals included: Breakfast

Depart after breakfast

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Vaccinations and Health

United Kingdom

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for polio, tetanus and rabies (bat lyssavirus). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Visa

United Kingdom

Travellers from the US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.