Hadrian’s Wall

Day 1: Carlisle
Day 2: Bowness on Solway to Carlisle, 14 mi. (22 km)
Day 3: Carlisle - Walton, 11 mi. (18 km)
Day 4: Walton- Gilsland, 8 mi. (13 km)
Day 5: Gilsland - Once Brewed, 8 mi. (13 km)
Day 6: Once Brewed - Chollerford, 12 mi. (19 km)
Day 7: Chollerford - Heddon on the Wall, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 8: Heddon - Wallsend, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 9: Newcastle, departure

Day 1: Carlisle
Arrive at your hotel, Warwick Hall, on the outskirts of Carlisle at your leisure. Your host will meet you and run through your itinerary, answering any questions you may have. Enjoy the scenery at this fine country house hotel and spend the evening as you wish.

     Preferred accommodation: Warwick Hall

Day 2: Bowness on Solway -  Carlisle, 14 mi. (22 km)
You will be transferred to Bowness on Solway after breakfast for the start of your walk. Here on the west coast estuary of the Solway Firth, your adventure begins where Hadrians Wall rises from the sea as the most northerly frontier of the Roman Empire. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty where the birdlife is prolific and more of a feature than the Roman remains. Occasionally, very high tides in the Solway Firth can interfere with the walk. Follow quiet tracks with salt marshes and distant Scottish hills in view through Port Carlisle and Burgh by Sands. Pastures and wooded banks lead on to the River Eden as you enter the heart of Carlisle with its imposing castle. Here you will catch a transfer back to Warwick Hall for a second night.

     Preferred accommodation: Warwick Hall

Day 3: Carlisle - Walton, 11 mi. (18 km)
A morning transfer to Carlisle will then allow you to enjoy a relaxed section of walking through lovely rural countryside and hamlets to a charming inn for a hearty lunch. As the wall here was predominantly dirt and turf there is not much evidence of it remaining as you follow the banks of the River Eden out of Carlisle. Imagine the huge fort that was once here which housed the largest body of cavalry anywhere in the empire. At the end of the day, you are transferred to Farlam Hall, your hotel for the next two nights.

     Preferred accommodation: Farlam Hall

Day 4: Walton- Gilsland, 8 mi. (13 km)
Another transfer will be provided, this time to Walton. Your path leads through farmland to Haytongate, where there is an option to take a detour to visit the romantic Lanercost Priory ruin and the adjacent vicarage's Edward Tower, where Edward I once convalesced. It then turns downhill from Banks, a very pleasant section of walking before the rigors of the next few sections. The turf wall gives way to consolidated stone now, and there are some great views from some of the turrets of the stunning countryside all around. The Roman gem of the Birdoswald estate on Banna fort is yours to explore too - this is a magical place coupled with informative exhibits. At the end of the walk in Gilsland you will be met by your driver and transferred back to Farlam Hall.

     Preferred accommodation: Farlam Hall

Day 5: Gilsland - Once Brewed, 8 mi. (13 km)
You pick up the trail in Gilsland after a short transfer. Today is one of the most demanding sections, but when you reach the highest point of the trail at Winshields Crags, you will be rewarded by stunning views in every direction. The quality of the wall is also excellent along this section. Upon reaching Once Brewed, you will be transferred to Vindolanda, en route to Langley Castle, your base for the next two nights. Vindolanda was a Roman auxiliary fort that guarded the Stanegate Roman road. It is noted for the Vindolanda tablets, considered to be among the most important finds of military and private correspondence found anywhere in the Roman Empire and the oldest surviving handwritten documents in Britain. They are also probably the best source of information about life on Hadrian's Wall, so a visit here is highly recommended!

     Preferred accommodation: Warwick Hall or Langley Castle

Day 6: Once Brewed - Chollerford, 12 mi. (19 km)
Pick up your packed lunch from the hotel before a transfer back to Once Brewed for the start of the trail, or to Vindolanda if you missed it yesterday. Once en route, you will experience some of the most spectacular sections of the wall, through rugged countryside and a host of Roman ruins and forts. Housesteads Fort has an interesting museum and a tea shop. At Shield on the wall, you rejoin the wall and follow the Roman road past Tower Tye and on to Chesters Museum, which marks a key site on the wall. At the end of the walk, at Chesters Museum, you will catch your end of day transfer back to Langley Castle.

     Preferred accommodation: Warwick Hall or Langley Castle

Day 7: Chollerford - Heddon on the Wall, 16 mi. (26 km)
Again, by car, first to Chollerford, and then by foot on the trail where you left it. You will follow the old military road for much of the day, passing through the beautiful rolling countryside of Northumberland. Walk to Brunton and then reach the highpoint of Whittington Fell, at 268 m. Beyond lies East Wallhouses and the lovely old Robin Hood’s Inn, Vindovala Fort, and Heddon on the Wall. At the end of the walk, you will be transferred to Matfen Hall Hotel for the evening.

     Preferred accommodation: Matfen Hall Hotel

Day 8: Heddon - Wallsend, 16 mi. (26 km)
Setting off from Heddon again after a quick transfer from your hotel, signs of the wall become less frequent as you leave the countryside behind and head towards Newcastle, which you approach along the River Tyne. The route leads through the heart of this vibrant city and invites you to discover the industrial history of Newcastle. The official end of the walk is the Segendunum Roman Fort and museum. You will be met here and transferred to Jesmond Dene House by your driver for this final evening of the tour.

     Preferred accommodation: Jesmond Dene House

Day 9: Newcastle, departure
Depart at your leisure today from Newcastle which has a mainline railway station and airport.

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Listed in the daily itinerary, you’ll find the preferred acommodations used for this tour. If the hotel listed is not available, a hotel of equal standard will be offered. All hotels are high quality 3 and 4-star charming boutique country house hotels and one very special restored castle, all chosen for their quality, character, and location.