Hadrian's Wall Path
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The Hadrian’s Wall Path is a long distance footpath in the north of England, which became the 15th National Trail in 2003. It runs for 84 miles (134.5 kilometers), from Wallsend on the east coast of Great Britain to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast. The path runs through urban areas, and over moors. For most of its length it runs close to Hadrian's Wall. The walking is easy, though muddy in places. The highest point on the path is only 1,000 feet, and for most of its length the path is more or less flat. The best part of the path is between Chollerford and Walton. This is the highest and wildest part of the path. It is also the part where the Wall is most visible, and there are several important Roman forts. Though most of the Wall runs through remote countryside, there are lengthy sections which pass through the cities of Newcastle and Carlisle. For most of the walk there are many signs of human activity, and, in summer, many other walkers. Though there are villages and farms near to the path, there are not many places to buy food and drink, especially in the middle sections. The path is well signposted.
Contents |
[edit] An itinerary
This itinerary breaks the walk into down into six stages.
- Wallsend to Heddon-on-the-Wall - this section is 15 miles long.
The path starts by the Swan Hunter Ship Yard. Before starting the walk, it is worth visiting the nearby site of the Roman fort of Segedunum. Most of this section runs through urban areas, including through the center of Newcastle upon Tyne, and along the banks of the Tyne. Only the last part, leading to Heddon-on-the-Wall, is in open countryside. There are occasional glimpses of the Wall.
- Heddon-on-the-Wall to Chollerford - this section is 15.5 miles long.
This section is almost entirely through open countryside. The Wall is occasionally visible, and the Vallum (earthworks) is frequently visible on the south side.
- Chollerford to Steel Rigg - this section is 12 miles long.
The Roman fort of Chesters is close to the start of this section. The path starts to rise now and the countryside becomes moor, rather than farmland. This is one of the best parts of the walk. Much more of the Wall is visible, and parts of it run along the edge of crags, giving superb views over the open countryside to the north. The path passes the Roman fort at Vercovicium (Housesteads), which has been extensively restored and contains much of interest. The Pennine Way long distance path branches off north just after this.
- Steel Rigg to Walton - this section is 16.25 miles long.
This is another excellent section across open countryside, with the Wall occasionally visible. The Roman fort at Birdoswald has a museum. The Pennine Way long distance path joins the Hadrian’s Wall Path near the village of Greenhead. As the path approaches Walton, Lanercost Priory is a short walk to the south. Much of the Priory was built with stones taken from the Wall.
- Walton to Carlisle - this section is 11 miles long.
This section of the path moves back down into farmland, and crosses the M6 motorway. Part of the path is alongside the River Eden, passing through a pleasant park and over a large footbridge.
- Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway - this section is 14.75 miles long.
The first part of this section is rather boring, but the walking improves once the path gets beyond the outskirts of Carlisle. Most of the path runs alongside either the River Eden or the Solway Firth. There is not much of the Wall to be seen, but the walking is open and pleasant. The path ends in the village of Bowness-on-Solway.
[edit] Map
Annotated map of Hadrian's Wall Path
[edit] Access
Both Newcastle and Carlisle are on the UK national railway network. The start of the walk at Wallsend can be easily reached by taking a local train from Newcastle to the Wallsend Metro Station, and then walking a short distance. The Tyne Valley railway line runs between Newcastle and Carlisle, with stops at Wylam, Corbridge, Hexham, Haydon Bridge, Bardon Mill and Haltwhistle. For most of its length, the line is not within easy walking distance of the Wall. The Wall can also be easily accessed by car, bus or taxi.
There is a Hadrian’s Wall bus service which runs close to the Wall during the summer. The service runs along the full length of the Wall, but the most frequent services are between Carlisle and Hexham. The bus stops at the main sites along the Wall.
[edit] Accommodation and services
The increasing popularity of the walk, and the lack of accommodation along the route, has made it necessary to book lodgings well in advance.
If you have a car, the attractive small town of Corbridge has three hotels, and is a convenient point from which to tackle the path.
There are five youth hostels near the path.
Services such as accommodation, restaurants and taxis can be best found by using the Google Local UK site. This takes listings from the UK Yellow Pages and other sources and locates them on Google’s maps. Additional information on accommodations can be found on the National Trail website (see External Links).
[edit] John Clayton
Much of the Wall has disappeared. That any part remains is due to John Clayton. He trained as a lawyer and became head of the law firm started by his father. He was also Town Clerk of Newcastle in the 1830s. He became enthusiastic about preserving the Wall after a visit to Chesters. To prevent farmers taking stones from the Wall, he began buying some of the land on which the Wall stood. In 1834 he started purchasing property around Steel Rigg. Eventually he had control of land from Brunton to Cawfields. This stretch included the sites of Chesters, Carrawburgh, Housesteads and Vindolanda. Clayton carried out excavation work at the fort at Cilurnum, and at Housesteads and excavated some milecastles.
Clayton managed the farms he had acquired with considerable skill, and succeeded in improving both the land and the livestock. His successful management produced a cash flow which could be invested in future restoration work.
Workmen were employed to restore sections of the Wall, generally up to a height of seven courses. The best example of the Clayton Wall is to be seen at Housesteads Crags. After Clayton’s death the estate passed to a fool of the family, who soon lost it at gambling. Eventually the National Trust was to begin the process of acquiring the land on which the Wall stands.
At Wallington Hall, near Morpeth, there is a painting by William Bell Scott, which shows a centurion supervising the building of the Wall. The centurion has been given the face of John Clayton.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Hadrian’s Wall Path by Anthony Burton. Published by Aurum Press in 2003. ISBN 1-85410-893-X.
[edit] External links
- Hadrian's Wall National Trail Path
- Harvey Map Shop. Strip map of route.
- Aerial photographs of Hadrian's Wall
