Hadrian's Wall - Northumberland
 

To many the Northumberland coast is its most attractive feature. Its long, uncrowded sandy beaches are a magnet. There are also many attractive fishing villages and little seaside resorts to visit. Of course, there is Hadrian's Wall which is not to be missed.

Hotels  in Northumberland,  Tyne & Wear, Co Durham

Hadrian's Wall: Northumberland has been a border territory for almost 2,000 years. One of Rome’s most northerly outposts, the Wall was built when the Roman Empire was at its height. The Romans occupied Britain from the middle of the 1st century to the beginning of the 5th century and for much of this time Northumberland was the very edge of their mighty empire. It was in 122 AD that the Emperor Hadrian ordered the building of a wall across the country from the Tyne to the Solway to separate the land of the Britons from the land of the Picts. When it was built in stone, the Wall was some 73 miles long and 5 metres high.  The Wall may be accessed from signposted car parks off the B6318, Military Road, which runs parallel to the A69, Newcastle to Carlisle, Highway. There are good car parks close to the Wall at Housesteads , Steel Rigg, Cawfields and Walltown. You may walk the wall and many of the excavated forts are open to the public. For Housetads & Chesters see Web

Housesteads Roman Fort (English Heritage / National Trust)
Off the B6318. The most complete Roman Fort in Britain; the north wall actually incorporates Hadrian's Wall. This is probably your best stop. The fort contains the only visible example of a Roman hospital in Britain and superbly preserved latrines and flush system. There is a also a good museum, a large Visitor Centre with many books and souvenir items and, of course, breathtaking views.  Tel: +44 (0)1434 - 344363. Partially accessible for visitors in wheelchairs - please telephone for details of special parking arrangements for disabled people.

Roman Vindolanda
Near Bardon Mill, signposted from the A69 and B6318. Fort and civilian settlement with ongoing excavations. A full size reconstruction of a section of Hadrian's Wall in both turf and stone. A dramatic new reconstruction is of a full size Roman temple. The superb museum has rare Roman writing tablets, leathers, textiles, pottery and wooden objects. There is also an excellent shop and country restaurant. Open: Daily, 10 am to 5pm from 13 February - 16 November, 2002. Prices around - Adults: £5 (2002). Saver Ticket: Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum - £6 (2002). Tel: +44 (0)1434 - 344277. Partially accessible for visitors in wheelchairs.

Brigantium: Rochester Cafe, Rochester, near Otterburn. Located some 15 miles north of the Wall, Brigantium is an archeological centre with reconstructions of a Romano-British farm and round house; a Mesolithic hunting camp and rock shelter; Roman defences and a Roman road; and a bronze age burial and stone circle. The remains of the roman fort of Bremenium (free) are a short walk away. Open: Daily, all year (2002), 9:00am - 5:00pm. Adults: around £3 (2002). Partially accessible for visitors in wheelchairs. Tel: +44 (0)1830 520801.

Corbridge Roman Site (English Heritage)
The extensive remains of a major Roman town and supply base for Hadrian's Wall - with particularly well preserved granaries. The excellent museum displays artefacts from the site including the famous Corbridge Lion fountain head. Open: Daily, 1 April-Sept, 2002, 10am-6pm (5pm in October). Winter opening: 1 November - 31 March, Wed-Sun only, 10am-4pm. Adults: around £3 (2002). Tel: +44 (0)1434 - 632349. Partially accessible for visitors in wheelchairs.

A few towns with hotels in this area: (click on the town name)

The Lake District and Cumbria is walkers' paradise so why not grab a bit of heaven now. For the energetic you can walk on some of the many cross country paths such as the Hadrian's Wall Path, part of the National Trail. 84 miles from the Solway Estuary through Cumbria and Tynedale and Tyneside or the Cumbria Way, Ulverston to Carlisle.