20 Best Places to Visit Along Hadrian’s Wall – Road Affair

Whether you’re hiking Hadrian’s Wall Path or planning a day journey close by, it’s possible you’ll be questioning which points of interest are price visiting. The smartest thing about Hadrian’s Wall Path is that it affords numerous historic ruins to discover, however there are additionally different distinctive websites that will pique your curiosity. From sampling beers at a brewery and stargazing in the most effective-preserved darkish skies in England to hidden church museums and county parks, there’s one thing on this listing for everybody! So strap in your runners and let’s discover the perfect sights alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path.

Roman Vindolanda

If you solely cease at one Roman fort alongside Hadrian’s Wall, make it this one. Vindolanda was as soon as a key Roman fort and is now house to the Vindolanda Tablets, a number of the oldest surviving handwritten paperwork within the UK. This huge auxiliary fort was rebuilt many occasions with completely different supplies layered on high of each other—primarily piling forts—which helped protect the picket tablets. These have allowed archaeologists to achieve a deeper understanding of Roman life in Britain and led to the invention of uncommon Roman artifacts just like the tablets, boxing gloves used for coaching troopers, and even an historical picket phallus.

The web site has undergone intensive excavation, and there are roughly 5 acres of ruins to discover. Visitors may even volunteer to participate within the excavation course of throughout sure weeks of the yr!

In addition to exploring the ruins, you can too enter a reconstructed portion of Hadrian’s Wall (full with towers), take pleasure in a meal on the café, watch stay excavations, and tour the Vindolanda Museum, which homes 1000’s of Roman artifacts. It arguably has the perfect and most intensive assortment of Roman artifacts of any fort alongside the wall.

Visitors ought to plan to spend no less than two to 4 hours at Vindolanda.

Chesters Roman Fort

Chesters Roman Fort is one other excellently preserved web site alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path. Perched on the banks of the North Tyne simply outdoors Chollerford, it’s house to the most effective-preserved Roman bathhouses in Britain. This former cavalry fort is kind of giant and has been closely excavated, permitting guests to enter lots of the ruined buildings and get a real sense of Roman navy life.

There is a small museum on the entrance that shows statues, pillars, and on a regular basis Roman artifacts like pottery and jewellery. Free audio information tablets can be found within the museum to assist you to study extra concerning the gadgets on show.

Plan to spend no less than two hours exploring Chesters Roman Fort.

St. Michael’s Church

Located on the west facet of Hadrian’s Wall, St. Michael’s Church is a should-see for these strolling the wall or visiting close by. This twelfth-century stone church was constructed utilizing stone from Hadrian’s Wall and the Roman fort of Maia, the place Bowness-on-Solway now sits. Inside, guests will discover a hidden museum beneath the tower, highlighting the realm’s Roman heritage and the church’s wealthy historical past.

St. Michael’s Church has a storied previous and was as soon as the momentary resting place of King Edward I (often called the “Hammer of the Scots”), who died just some hundred meters away in Burgh Marsh whereas main a marketing campaign into Scotland in 1307. His physique was introduced to the church for safeguarding till the Royal Court arrived together with his inheritor to escort it again to London.

Those fascinated by visiting the positioning of the King’s demise can stroll lower than a mile north to the King Edward I Monument, which marks the precise spot.

It’s additionally price noting that there’s a water bottle refilling station behind the church, and the doorway is absolutely accessible.

Housesteads Roman Fort

Housesteads Roman Fort is commonly thought of the perfect-preserved fort alongside Hadrian’s Wall, although that is debatable—Chesters Roman Fort options taller excavated constructions and equally detailed stays. While Chesters is famed for its Roman bathhouse, Housesteads is particularly famous for its remarkably preserved water and bathroom system.

Known to the Romans as Vercovicium, that means “the place of the effective fighters,” the fort as soon as housed round 800 troopers. Highlights embody the nicely-preserved in-ground heating system and the multi-particular person rest room facility, which can go away you with a newfound appreciation for contemporary plumbing.

Perched atop a dramatic ridge, Housesteads affords gorgeous views of Hadrian’s Wall and the encompassing English countryside. Visitors may discover a small museum and revel in refreshments on the café.

Expect to spend about two hours exploring all that Housesteads has to supply.

Walltown Quarry Country Park

The Walltown Crags present sweeping views and are a favourite alongside the Hadrian’s Wall Path. Walkers will discover the official path runs instantly alongside the highest of those crags, however even these not mountaineering the complete wall will discover this spot price visiting.

From right here, you’ll be able to see nicely-preserved stretches of the wall extending for miles. The space additionally options the Peace Labyrinth, Turret 45A (a former sign tower), and a captivating café providing tea and baked items. For guests with accessibility wants or these with babies, there are quick, paved round trails on the base of the crags.

Walltown Quarry Country Park can be a chosen Dark Sky Park, making it a really perfect location for night stargazing in the event you’re within the space after nightfall.

Temple of Mithras at Brocolitia

The Temple of Mithras is a hidden gem unearthed on the former Roman stronghold of Carrawburgh. While right now solely earth mounds stay to mark the fort, the temple itself is nicely excavated and nicely price a go to.

Mithras, a deity with roots in Indo-Iranian and Roman mythology, was worshipped by Roman troopers not a lot by way of formal faith however as a part of a secretive cult. Mithras symbolized energy and bravado, and initiates had been required to reveal nice psychological and bodily endurance to progress by way of the ranks.

Visitors will discover the stays of pillars and partitions the place worship as soon as happened, together with a shrine contained in the temple—into which some trendy guests have left cash as choices.

Old Vicarage Brewery

If you’re searching for a pit cease and a pint, think about stopping by the Old Vicarage Brewery in Walton. Tucked beside the city’s previous church, this small native pub boasts one of the crucial unimaginable views of the countryside from its yard beer backyard. It’s a really perfect spot to take pleasure in a break for these strolling the Wall, because it’s only a 4-minute stroll from Hadrian’s Wall Path. The house owners, Graham and Charlotte, had been as soon as Wall walkers themselves. They fell in love with the Northumberland countryside and opened their microbrewery and B&B three years in the past. They’re delighted to welcome guests from around the globe and to share their ardour for brewing and hospitality. In the night, many locals additionally pop in, providing an opportunity to take pleasure in a pleasant countryside ambiance.

Sycamore Tree Gap

The Sycamore Tree Gap turned a beloved native attraction after it featured within the 1991 Robin Hood movie. Sadly, the tree was illegally felled in 2023, leaving each the group and guests in shock. The two males accountable had been discovered responsible and shall be sentenced in July 2025. In the meantime, a memorial has been arrange across the stump, and seeds have been harvested to develop a brand new tree. Despite the loss, it’s nonetheless a terrific spot to go to due to its gorgeous views of Hadrian’s Wall and the encompassing countryside. Plus, a smaller sycamore close by affords an identical picture alternative.

Milecastle 39 / Winshields Crags

About 500 ft from the Sycamore Tree Gap lies Milecastle 39, atop Winshields Crags. This spot marks the midway level of Hadrian’s Wall Path and is the best level on your entire path, sitting at 1,131 ft (345 meters) above sea stage. A tall white stone marks the summit, the place hikers can take unimaginable images of the Wall seemingly flowing over the rolling crags to the east and west. While little stays of Milecastle 39 itself, the dramatic panorama makes it an ideal place to pause and rejoice reaching the midpoint of the path.

Willowford Roman Bridge

Willowford Roman Bridge is a novel attraction alongside Hadrian’s Wall, marking certainly one of three factors the place the Romans had to engineer the Wall to cross water. The web site tells the story of three completely different bridges constructed to span the Irthing River throughout Roman occasions, following repeated flood harm. Today, the river has shifted barely west of the unique Roman bridge, and a contemporary metallic footbridge has been put in. However, a lot of the unique stonework and arches stay, permitting guests to discover the ruins up shut and study Roman engineering particulars like chisel marks. It’s a should-see for anybody visiting Hadrian’s Wall.

Solway Aviation Museum

Hadrian’s Wall Path passes proper by Carlisle Airport, making it a terrific spot not just for watching planes but additionally for visiting the Solway Aviation Museum. Aviation lovers can discover a wide selection of plane, together with the Cold War-era Avro Vulcan bomber, Britain’s first jet bomber—the Canberra—and the only real surviving Blackburn Beverley heavy transport plane. Inside the museum, displays showcase Cumbria’s aviation historical past and the RAF’s function within the Second World War, that includes artifacts like survival gear, ejection seats, and plane engines. One of the highlights is sitting within the cockpit of a Vulcan bomber with a information who explains the plane’s options and shares tales from her missions.

Milecastle Inn

Another glorious pit cease alongside Hadrian’s Wall is the Milecastle Inn, situated simply north of Haltwhistle and south of Cawfield Quarry. The pub is ideally located within the coronary heart of the path’s most tough terrain, making it an ideal place to relaxation your ft and revel in a meal earlier than persevering with alongside the trail. This charming, household-run inn dates again to the seventeenth century and options a wonderful stone inside and a very good beer backyard with sweeping views of the encompassing fields and crags. It’s a well-liked cease for a lot of vacationers mountaineering the wall or visiting the close by Roman forts, so we extremely advocate reserving a desk upfront in the event you’re hoping to take pleasure in dinner right here. Be certain to pattern their homebrewed beers if you cease by!

Pike Hill Signal Tower

Many of the turrets and towers alongside Hadrian’s Wall look an identical—aside from Pike Hill Signal Tower. That’s as a result of Pike Hill was constructed 30 years earlier than Hadrian’s Wall, initially constructed as a sign tower (believed to have used smoke or hearth) to talk with forts and towers so far as 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away. The tower stands on a excessive ridge and options extra substantial masonry than the turrets constructed alongside the wall. Today, guests can discover the ruins of this as soon as-towering construction and picture what it was like to peer out towards Scotland and spot approaching threats as a Roman soldier practically 2,000 years in the past. Banks East Turret 52A is situated proper subsequent to Pike Hill, making it a handy two-for-one cease for day-trippers.

The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre

The Sill is a superb free attraction for hikers and day-trippers, particularly these unable to deal with the close by steep crags. Located simply north of Vindolanda, The Sill is a panorama schooling middle providing free entry to its grassy rooftop terrace and café. Visitors can take pleasure in panoramic views of the English countryside from the accessible roof, discover The Sill’s free everlasting and momentary exhibitions, and seize a chew to eat on the café. The Sill is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between April and October.

Twice Brewed Brewery

Located subsequent to The Sill, simply south of Hadrian’s Wall in Once Brewed, sits Twice Brewed Brewery. This is a superb cease for anybody in want of a chilly pint or a chew to eat whereas strolling the wall. Visitors can pop into the canine-pleasant taproom and pattern a wide range of beers and gins, all brewed in-home. There’s additionally a beer backyard, excellent for having fun with the sunshine. Twice Brewed affords a spread of conventional British dishes, superb for fueling up earlier than the following leg of your journey. If you’re visiting on a Saturday, name forward to join their 1 p.m. Tutored Beer Tasting, which incorporates six completely different beer samples and a stroll-by way of of the hops and malts utilized in brewing.

Corbridge Roman Town

Corbridge Roman Town is nicely price a go to—even in the event you’ve already explored different Roman forts alongside Hadrian’s Wall. Its enchantment lies in each its distinctive objective and strategic location. While different forts had been constructed primarily for navy housing, Corbridge Roman Town (often called Coria to the Romans) was established south of the wall as a walled navy compound surrounded by a big civilian settlement on the intersection of two main Roman roads—highlighting its strategic significance. Like Vindolanda, a number of forts had been constructed on high of each other at Coria, preserving many artifacts in glorious situation.

Many of the ruins now rise over two meters tall, providing an enchanting panorama to discover. Visitors may even stroll alongside a superbly preserved Roman High Street. Of specific curiosity is the Corbridge Hoard, housed within the adjoining museum. This is likely one of the most vital archaeological discoveries from Roman Britain—a group of armor, weapons, and private gadgets buried by a Roman soldier practically 2,000 years in the past. The armor was remarkably nicely preserved, permitting historians to lastly perceive how the armadillo-like plates had been assembled.

Carlisle Castle

Hadrian’s Wall predates Carlisle Castle, however lots of the stones used within the fort’s development had been taken from the famed Roman wall—a typical follow on the time. Located within the metropolis of Carlisle, this eleventh-century fort was constructed atop the Roman fort of Luguvalium and performed a key function throughout the Anglo-Scottish wars. In reality, the fort as soon as held Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1568, in addition to a number of Jacobites between 1745 and 1746.

Today, guests can discover the expansive grounds, go to Queen Mary’s Tower, see prisoner carvings within the dungeon, and study extra concerning the fort’s historical past by way of interactive displays.

Admission to Carlisle Castle additionally consists of entry to the on-web site Cumbria Museum of Military Life, which covers over 300 years of navy historical past within the area. One spotlight is a Bible from the First World War, pierced by a bullet that stopped in its pages—a miraculous story, certainly.

Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum

Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum marks the jap finish of Hadrian’s Wall and affords greater than you may count on. Between 1975 and 1984, the fort was extensively excavated, main to the complete uncovering of its inside format. Today, Segedunum is taken into account one of the crucial totally excavated Roman forts in Britain. Visitors can view the positioning from a 35-meter-tall viewing tower that gives a chook’s-eye perspective.

While touring the grounds, you need to use the Geotourist app for an informative audio information. The museum shows a wide range of artifacts recovered from the positioning, together with weapons, armor, and private gadgets like Roman cube. Additionally, the fort includes a full-scale reconstruction of a Roman bathhouse and a preserved 80-meter stretch of authentic Hadrian’s Wall.

Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory

Northumberland is famend for its Dark Sky Park, thanks to its distant location and minimal gentle air pollution. Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, situated six miles north of Chollerford, is a premier vacation spot for stargazing. Staffed by skilled astronomers, the observatory affords guests entry to highly effective gear, together with a Schmidt–Cassegrain telescope, a Dobsonian telescope, and private binoculars.

Guests can view meteorites up shut, take pleasure in limitless complimentary sizzling drinks, and even go aurora looking with professional guides. Events resembling Astronomy for Beginners and Stories of the Stars are held recurrently, together with weekly common stargazing classes. Be certain to test the observatory’s occasions web page and guide your spot a couple of hours upfront!

Thirlwall Castle

When Ed Sheeran sang of a “castle on the hill,” he might nicely have been impressed by Thirlwall Castle. These towering 14th-century ruins supply gorgeous views and an atmospheric glimpse into the previous. Located simply north of Greenhead, the fort is free to go to and options thick stone partitions—constructed utilizing stones taken from Hadrian’s Wall—that rise two to three tales excessive.

One of essentially the most fascinating preserved options is a big oven that guests can stroll into, the place scorch marks from centuries-previous fires are nonetheless seen.

In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, border raids had been widespread due to ongoing Anglo-Scottish conflicts. According to native legend, throughout one such raid, a loyal servant hid a golden desk belonging to the Thirlwall household down a nicely, defending it with a magical spell that’s mentioned to guard it to today.

Hadrian’s Wall Path is wealthy with forts, ruins, and historic points of interest, and it’s possible you’ll not have time to see all of them. We hope this listing helps you slender down the should-see spots and plan your final journey alongside this iconic Roman frontier—whether or not for a day journey or a multi-day mountaineering journey. For an in depth plan to benefit from your time, don’t miss our Ultimate 7-Day Hadrian’s Wall Path Itinerary.