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Hadrian’s Wall Travel Guide

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Hadrian’s Wall Travel Guide

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1. The Wall's Location
2. Roman History
3. Roman Britain
4. Before the Wall
5. Turrets & Forts
6. People of the Wall
7. The Antonine Wall
8. Wall Archaeology
9. Food & Drink
10. Things to Do
11. Hiking
12. Cycling
13. Pop Culture
14. Visit Hadrian's Wall

Welcome to Hadrian’s Wall

Running 80 Roman miles and erected circa AD 122, the year 2022 marked the second millennium since the construction of the breathtaking historical landmark that is Hadrian’s Wall. Perhaps one of England’s most significant historic sites, this 2,000-year-old monument never stops awing and inspiring visitors to a country full to bursting with beautiful heritage.

Where is Hadrian’s Wall?

Start: Newcastle (Wallsend)
Finish: Bowness-on-Solway (15 miles past Carlisle)

Hadrian’s Wall was a massive undertaking, spanning 73 modern miles (that’s 80 Roman miles) from Newcastle to the Solway Firth on the Irish Sea.

Built to fortify the northern border of Roman Britain at the island’s narrowest point, its goal was to separate the “civilised” Roman colony from the “barbaric” tribes of the Picts in the north (present-day Scotland).

Because of the monument’s large size, there are multiple places to see the wall. For visitors planning to walk Hadrian’s Wall Path, you’ll either start at Wallsend in Newcastle-on-Tyne, or at the other end, Bowness-on-Solway on the edge of the Solway Firth.

Who Are the Romans?

Winding through some of northern England’s most breathtaking scenery, Hadrian’s Wall once marked the edge of one of history’s greatest civilisations: the Roman Empire.

From modest beginnings in the sun-bathed climate of central Italy, Rome transformed from the Roman Republic to a widespread and daunting empire by 27 BC, expanding across three continents under the rule of emperors and the Senate. As the empire grew, so did the responsibilities of its rulers, with three key duties shaping the role of every emperor.

Duties of A Roman Emperor

First and foremost was providing for the people. A steady supply of food and water was essential to keeping the vast empire and its beloved capital running. While Rome relied heavily on trade, infrastructure like aqueducts, fountains, and grain stores helped ensure stability. Much of this was managed by local governors across Rome’s many provinces — from Gaul and North Africa to the windswept reaches of Britannia.

Second, emperors were expected to leave their legacy on Rome itself. They commissioned temples, forums, fountains, and grand bathhouses — hundreds of which once dotted the capital. Beautifying the city wasn’t just vanity; it was a statement of power, stability, and ambition.

Finally, and most relevant to our story, was expansion. Conquering new lands and defending existing borders were part of an emperor’s legacy. Trajan marched into Dacia (modern Romania), Augustus annexed Egypt, and Claudius invaded southern Britain. But it was Hadrian who left perhaps the most lasting physical reminder of Rome in Britain: the vast stone frontier that still bears his name.

Roman Britain

Roman rule in Britain lasted from 43 AD to 410 AD — nearly 370 years. That might sound like a footnote in the grand sweep of history, but think about how much can happen in that span of time.

In the last 360 years, the United States has gone from an obscure colony to a global superpower. Humans went from travelling by sailing ships to steamships to jet engines, from communicating with handwritten letters to smartwatches. A lot can change in a few centuries.

When the Romans arrived, Britannia was a remote, rain-soaked island on the edge of the known world. It had long been a source of tin and other goods, but few had ventured far inland. At the time, power, trade, and culture flowed through the East — from Egypt to Mesopotamia. Britannia was far from the centre of the world.

Life at the Edge of an Empire

That changed in 43 AD, when Emperor Claudius ordered a full-scale invasion. Unlike earlier expeditions, Claudius came to stay. His troops landed in Kent and quickly established Roman control. Later governors — most notably Agricola — expanded the frontier northward toward Caledonia (modern-day Scotland). At various points, the empire’s reach was marked by the Stanegate Road, then Hadrian’s Wall, and eventually the more northern Antonine Wall.

For nearly four centuries, Britannia became a thriving Roman province, home to bustling towns like York, Bath, and Colchester. Villas, temples, bathhouses, paved roads, and administrative centres spread across the countryside. Romanised Britons enjoyed many of the same luxuries as their Mediterranean counterparts — from fine wine and olive oil to underfloor heating and education.

Though rebellion flared from time to time, particularly in the north and west, much of Roman Britain enjoyed long stretches of peace and prosperity. When the Romans finally withdrew in 410 AD, they left behind a transformed island — and a legacy still visible in stone walls, buried ruins, and the shape of the land itself.

Interested in learning more about the magic of Roman Bath? Check out our guide below.

Julius Caesar’s earlier invasions are the most famous part of the Roman invasion of Britain. He came twice as part of the Gallic Wars, in 55 and 54 BC – the first was a failure, and the second was such overkill (628 ships, five legions and 2,000 cavalry) that the native Britons did not resist.

But the story that Caesar conquered Britain? Myth.

Julius Caesar neither conquered nor furthered Roman occupation of the island and had little long-lasting effects.

Before Hadrian’s Wall

Life in Britain before the Romans arrived was home to sparsely populated lands peopled by semi-nomadic tribes. And before that, both Britain and Ireland had a rich Neolithic population – ancient people who lived 5,000 years ago, leaving behind impressive stone structures still visible today – most famously, Stonehenge.

Upon discovery and arrival in England, the Romans led several campaigns to drive their forces deeper into the island’s northern interior. The impetus for Roman expansion even originally included Scotland, the land of the Picts.

The Romans actually built several smaller outposts and started a fort at Inchtuthil, just north of Perth (160 miles north of Hadrian’s Wall). Before Hadrian’s Wall, the Stanegate Road marked the frontier of the Roman Empire.

Building Blocks of the Wall

Hadrian’s Wall is comprised of the wall itself, as well as the berm (a strip of land abutting the wall), a wide ditch, and the Vallum, an earthwork bank. Running for 80 Roman miles, the wall combines a pattern of turrets, milecastles and forts. There were 158 turrets (two turrets in between each milecastle), 80 milecastles – one for each Roman mile – as well as several much larger forts, which resembled frontier towns.

Turrets

Watchtowers on the Wild Frontier

Between each milecastle along Hadrian’s Wall stood a pair of small stone towers — turrets, spaced at regular intervals. These were the Roman Empire’s eyes on the frontier. Likely used for signalling and surveillance, each turret housed a handful of soldiers, offering shelter and a vantage point over the wild northern landscape.

Visitors can view a reconstructed version at the famed fort of Vindolanda, where you’ll stand inside and imagine the life of a Roman guard, scanning the horizons for trouble to trade. Built from stone and mortar, each turret was about 5.8 metres (19 feet) square, with a doorway on the southern — Roman — side.

Milecastles

Mini Forts with a Mission

Built roughly every Roman mile, these compact forts marked the rhythm of the wall — 80 in total, each one unique. Though the design varied slightly depending on which legion built them, their function was the same: defend, control, and communicate.

Staffed by 12 to 30 soldiers, milecastles acted as border checkpoints, controlling who and what passed in and out of the Roman Empire. Many had gateways, thick stone walls, and tall towers — a practical blend of fortress and lookout post.

Hadrian’s Wall Forts

Bastions of Outpost Civilisations

The largest structures on Hadrian’s Wall were its forts — not castles in the medieval sense, but more closely resembling fortified towns. Shaped like playing cards, each fort contained everything needed to support a garrison of hundreds: headquarters (Principia) at the centre, a basilica (a civic hall, not a church), granaries, a commander’s house (the Praetorium), and sometimes even hospitals. The soldiers lived here, but so did their families, traders, craftspeople, and adventurers drawn to the fringes of society.

Beyond the walls, civilian settlements sprang up, buzzing with life. These communities were vital, supplying goods, offering services, and creating a link between Roman soldiers and local people. At its height, a Roman fort was more than a military outpost — it was a living, breathing town at the edge of an empire.

Who Lived at Hadrian’s Wall?

Soldiers & Legions

Hadrian’s Wall was first and foremost a military frontier, so it’s no surprise that soldiers made up the bulk of the wall’s population.

At the top were the legionnaires — elite, professional soldiers who were Roman citizens. Each legion had around 5,000–6,000 men, organised into centuries (despite the name, usually fewer than 100 men).

Legions were led by senior commanders from Rome’s upper classes – at the height of the empire, there were about 30 legions across Rome’s territories.

More common along the wall were the auxiliaries — non-citizen soldiers recruited from across the empire. They came in many forms, from cavalry units to foot soldiers, usually grouped into cohorts of 500 or 1,000 men. These men earned citizenship through decades of loyal service, and many settled in the frontier towns once they retired.

Sculpture of Sentius Tectonicus at Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend

Citizens & Tradespeople

Life at the wall wasn’t all drills and defence. The soldiers brought their own cultures, languages, and gods. The Romans were polytheistic and pragmatic, adopting and adapting local deities as they went. One unique example from Hadrian’s Wall is Antenociticus, a mysterious local god mentioned only along the wall and nowhere else in the Roman Empire. Was he a protector of the wall? No one really knows, but his presence hints at how Roman and native beliefs blended on the frontier.

The Antonine Wall Vs Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall is undoubtedly more famous, but it wasn’t always the northwestern-most extremity of Roman Britain (and the empire). In fact, for about 20 years, the Antonine Wall, located some 115 miles north of Hadrian’s Wall, functioned as the outermost fortification of Britannia. It took 12 years to build but was in use for just eight further years before abandonment. This wall gets its name from the emperor who commissioned this construction, Antonius Pius. He never visited the wall, unlike Hadrian and his walled namesake. Today, very little is left of this wall, likely because it was used for so little time compared to the centuries of use at Hadrian’s Wall.

Archaeology at Hadrian’s Wall

Important Forts & Museums:

Hadrian’s Wall Gallery in the Great North Museum
Wallsend – Segedunum Fort & Museum in Newcastle
The Temple of Mithras
Corbridge Roman Town & Museum
Chesters Roman Fort
Housesteads Fort
Vindolanda Museum & Archeology Site
Birdoswald Fort & Roman Army Museum in Brampton

There are many archaeological sites along the wall, some of which are currently active. The most famous fort is Vindolanda, an active archaeological site for about 25 years, and takes hundreds of volunteers every year – and still, there is a waiting list.

For the rest of us who don’t need to become amateur archaeologists but want to learn more about the wall’s history, there are several archaeology sites and museums. These are listed below if you were walking from Newcastle to Solway on Tyne (as well as all of the turrets and milecastles along the way).

From the Neolithic era to the Victorians and all the falls in between, history lovers might enjoy checking out our Guide to English History, below.

Keep Reading

Food & Drink

England might not be famous for its food and drink, but you’d be surprised at how well you’ll eat when you’re in England. Want to ensure you’re getting all the local tastes? Read on for a few culinary bites to try while hiking or cycling Hadrian’s Wall.

Twice Brewed beers Hadrian's Wall

Drink Local

Along the way, stop in the uniquely-named village of Once Brewed where you can enjoy a local beer in the Twice Brewed Tap House.

Located along Hadrian’s Wall, Twice Brewed is proud to be part of a 2,000-year-old brewing tradition, and the brewery claims to take inspiration from Hadrian’s Wall itself. Some of their beers include the Sycamore Gap (a pale ale) and the Ale Caesar! (an amber ale), along with a number of other beers named after Roman gods and Roman ideals.

Twice Brewed Taphouse is the perfect place to treat yourself to a pint or two as you’re about halfway through your Hadrian’s Wall journey. Learn more here.

Locally-bred Lamb

Northern England is a place famous for its great green pastures of sheep. With plenty of sheep in every direction, it should not come as a surprise to find plenty of lamb dishes on any good menu.

You can’t get much more local or sustainable when tasting the locally-bred Northern English lambs which are usually sourced just a few miles down the way. There are a number of lamb dishes to try while hiking or cycling Hadrian’s Wall.

While in Northern England, you might like to try a traditional lamb hot pot, a stew usually including a variety of vegetables – whatever was available and in season – slow-cooked on low heat for hours. Or you might want to taste a flavourful lamb with mint sauce, another traditional dish expertly cooked using local lamb and paired with a sauce made from fresh English mint.

Cumberland Sausages

Cumberland sausages are pork sausages that originated in the traditional region of Cumberland (now Cumbria). Typically about 50cm long, and traditionally rolled up, they are seasoned with pepper and other spices and made from chopped meat. This is a dish with 500 years of history and thus cumberland sausages benefit from a protected status.

Craster Kippers

Craster kippers are actually a fish meal. These smoked fish are produced in the North Sea-facing villages of Craster (hence the name) and Seahouses and are a traditional breakfast dish from Northumberland. Craster kippers are best eaten simply, paired only with buttered brown bread.

Kendal Mint Cake

From the southern end of the Lake District, Kendal mint cakes are a popular and delicious delicacy in Northern England. This sugary delight is pure sweet tooth treat, and it is that extra energy pep that makes Kendal mint cakes popular with hikers and cyclists. After a day out walking Hadrian’s Wall Path, you’re entitled to a treat or two!

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Perhaps not as easy to carry along for trail snacks as Kendal mint cake, the sticky toffee pudding is a staple of English desserts. This ‘pudding’ is actually a type of sponge cake made with chopped dates and toffee sauce. It is often paired with vanilla ice cream or custard. The recipe’s origins are not known (there are many claims to who first invented this famous dessert), but it is likely only about 100 years old.

What is Hadrian’s Wall Like Today?

Today, Hadrian’s Wall is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – one of 19 in England. It is the largest Roman heritage site on the island and one of the most popular. Like most Hadrian Wall sites, certain sections attract many visitors while others remain quiet and less frequented. Since 2003, there is both a path and cycleway established, allowing visitors multiple ways to explore Hadrian’s Wall. Learn more below.

Things to Do Near Hadrian’s Wall

From city breaks – a night out in Newcastle or Carlisle – quaint countryside estates and their accompanying vibrant gardens, to crumbling castles and sites from the distant past, explore more about things to see and do at and near Hadrian’s Wall in the linked article.

Back at Hadrian’s Wall, learn more about the specific forts themselves and how to visit them.

Find Out More

Hiking Hadrian’s Wall Path

Walking the National Trail, Hadrian’s Wall Path, running alongside the UNESCO site.

The best way to truly experience the power and legacy of Hadrian’s Wall is to walk the Hadrian’s Wall Path. Completed in 2003, this National Trail traces the line of the Roman frontier, letting you follow in the footsteps of ancient soldiers across rolling farmland, rugged hills, and open moorland.

Stretching 84 miles (135 km), the route typically takes 7–8 days to complete. The central section between Chollerford and Birdoswald is the most demanding, with more frequent climbs, but the path is manageable for anyone with reasonable fitness and the right gear. It’s maintained by Natural England and follows the UNESCO World Heritage Site throughout.

We recommend walking east to west—mirroring the wall’s original construction and offering easier transport connections into Newcastle. The trail is well waymarked, but sturdy boots, layered clothing, and full waterproofs are essential for uneven ground and changeable weather.

Hikers who love point-to-point routes might enjoy learning about some of England’s best long distance routes on our guide below.

Keep Reading

Biking Hadrian's Wall Cycleway

For those who prefer two wheels to two feet, Hadrian’s Cycleway offers a scenic and rewarding way to experience the Roman frontier. Spanning over 170 miles from coast to coast from Ravenglass or Bowness-on-Solway to Tynemouth, the route follows quiet country lanes, riverside paths, and sections close to the Wall itself. It’s a journey through history, rolling landscapes, and charming northern towns—perfect for a self guided cycling adventure. Biking the Hadrian’s Wall Cycleway is a rewarding way to cover more ground while still soaking up the rich heritage of the Roman frontier.

Hadrian’s Wall:
Walk or Cycle?

Hadrian’s Cycleway:
Best sections

Hadrian’s Cycleway:
When to Bike it?

Robin Hood

Robin Hood is one of the most famous English legends. What has it got to do with Hadrian’s Wall? The so-called “Robin Hood tree,” which famously stood at Sycamore Gap until it was felled in an act of vandalism in 2023, actually has nothing to do with medieval legends but is so named due to its appearance in the 1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves film.

Game of Thrones

But there’s another big pop culture reference worth noting. For fans of Game of Thrones, many of the details about Hadrian’s Wall might sound familiar.

That’s because George R.R. Martin has admitted that Hadrian’s Wall was the main inspiration behind the Wall in the North, sometimes known as the Ice Wall, in his epic fantasy series. Like the Roman Hadrian’s Wall and its forts, Martin’s own wall and its “fort” Castle Black were built to be the final outpost of an empire, delineating the “civilised” world to the south and the “barbaric” world to the north, with manned forts, towers and gates built at regular intervals.

Like Hadrian’s Wall, those who manned Martin’s Wall in the North were the kingdom’s first line of defence. And in both cases, those living on the wall ended up interacting a lot more than expected with those who inhabited the northern lands.

Walk in the Footsteps of the Romans

Join us in an adventure to walk or bike in the footsteps of the ancient Romans along Hadrian’s Wall.

Walk Hadrian’s Wall

Discover Hadrian's Wall

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Self Guided – Hadrian’s Wall Path

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Wilderness Walking – Hadrian’s Wall Path

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