UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Northern England
Hadrian’s Wall Itinerary
Hadrian’s Wall
Northumberland, England
SCOTLAND
WALES ENGLAND
Follow the path of the Romans along the
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hadrian’s
Wall, which stretches across the north
of England. Travel the length of the Wall
from the easternmost point in Wallsend
and Newcastle upon Tyne, right through to
the western coastal defences in Cumbria.
Hadrian’s Wall is one of England’s greatest
landmarks and the writer George RR Martin
used it as inspiration for his own Wall in the
bestselling books and hit TV series, Game
of Thrones.
1 Exploring the Roman Heritage of Newcastle upon
Tyne at the easternmost end of where Hadrian’s
Wall stood. Visit the Great North Museum: Hancock,
which is in the Haymarket area of the city. Here you can
spend a couple of hours finding out all about the Roman
Empire’s influence on the North of England.
www.twmuseums.org.uk/great-north-museum.html
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2 Enjoy lunch in the historical setting of Blackfriars – a
5 On the way to Matfen Hall, be sure to stop of at
restaurant in the oldest dining hall in the UK, which
was established in 1239 as a Dominican friary.
Wylam Brewery at Heddon on the Wall where you
can pick up some North East craft beers to enjoy later.
www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk
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www.wylambrewery.co.uk
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3 Visit Segedunum Roman Fort, which is the most
completely excavated fort on Hadrian’s Wall and
you can take in the whole site from its 35 metre high
viewing tower.
www.twmuseums.org.uk/segedunum-roman-fort/
visiting-us.html
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4 Travel to the luxurious former stately home,
Matfen Hall, set in 300 acres of parkland with hotel,
golf and spa facilities. Alternatively, you can visit one of
the beautiful Northumberland villages like Corbridge
or Haltwhistle.
www.matfenhall.com
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the Northumberland section of
6 Explore
Hadrian’s Wall, at the most iconic of all the Wall
sites, Housesteads Roman Fort. Housesteads is set
high on a dramatic ridge and is the best preserved of
all the Roman forts along Hadrian’s Wall. Hadrian’s
Wall itself runs across the north side of the fort
from where there are dramatic views across the
Northumberland landscape.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/housesteadsroman-fort-hadrians-wall
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Bamburgh Castle
Northumberland, England
the more active, adventure on a five mile
7 For
circular walk alongside the Wall to reach the famous
‘Sycamore Gap’ where you will see both the highest
remains of the Wall and the solitary tree immortalised in
the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, before returning
via the Roman Military Way.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/article-1355859991507/
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Vindolanda stands on the Stanegate frontier
8 Roman
which pre-dated Hadrian’s Wall. This stunning
held captive from 1567 by order of her cousin Queen
Elizabeth I.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/carlisle-castle
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Venture down the underground public walkway
10 to Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery. Inside is
the Roman Frontier Gallery and the exhibition on the
ever-fascinating Border Reivers – lawless gangs who
survived by plundering livestock, but who also engaged
in other practises such as kidnapping and racketeering.
excavated fort and civilian settlement has an extensive
museum displaying artefacts from the site, including
some of the world-famous Vindolanda Writing Tablets,
which provide an astonishing glimpse into everyday life
along the frontier 2,000 years ago.
www.tulliehouse.co.uk
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www.vindolanda.com
on the site of the Roman fort of Maia and marks the end
of Hadrian’s Wall.
west of Hadrian’s Wall to the historic city
9 Move
of Carlisle, which is known as the ‘great border city’.
Its location made for a turbulent past with frequent
battles between the English and the Scots for possession.
Spend time at Carlisle Castle, which was a vital part of the
defence of the city for nine centuries. At the Castle, you
can visit the turret in which Mary, Queen of Scots was
you way to the end of the Wall on the Cumbria
11 Make
coastline. The village of Bowness-on-Solway stands
www.visithadrianswall.co.uk/explore/towns-and-villages/
bowness-on-solway-p1159961
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Borrowdale
Cumbria, England