Destination guides > Europe > England > Northumbria > Northumberland > Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall
In 122 AD, Roman emperor Hadrian ordered an 117km-long wall to be built between Bowness on Solway (near Carlisle) and Wallsend (near Newcastle-
upon-Tyne) to define the Roman Empire's boundaries. Don't expect anything as impressive as the Great Wall of China though, as large portions of the wall have been dismantled and even the best-preserved parts of the wall are only half their original height.
Practical information
Hexham Tourist Information Centre
Wentworth Car Park, Hexham
Tel (01434) 652 220
Website www.hadrianswallcountry.org
Open Jan-Mar Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Apr-mid May Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm; mid May-Sep Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Oct Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Sat 9am-5pm
Once Brewed National Park & Tourist Information Centre
Military Road, Bardon Mill
Tel (01434) 344 396
Website www.northumberland-national-park.org.uk
Open Jan-Mar Sat-Sun 9.30am-5pm; Apr-May 9.30am-5pm daily; Jun-Aug 9.30-am-5.30pm daily; Sep-Oct 9.30am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec Sat-Sun 9.30am-5pm
Local transport
During summer the Hadrian's Wall Bus (route AD122) runs several times each day between Carlisle and Hexham following the course of the wall and stopping at visitor attractions en route. One bus each day goes all the way from Bowness on Solway to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Wallsend. It connects with train and other bus services at Carlisle, Haltwhistle and Hexham. A one-day ticket on this bus costs £8 and a three-day pass costs £16.
Hostel accommodation
Gibbs Hill Farm Bunkhouse
Gibbs Hill Farm, Bardon Mill Nr Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 7AP
Tel (01434) 344030
The Old Repeater Station YHA
Military Road, Grindon nr Haydon Bridge, Northumberland NE47 6NQ
Tel (01434) 688668
YHA Once Brewed
Military Road, Bardon Mill, Northumberland NE47 7AN
Tel (01434) 344360
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Chesters Roman Fort
This Roman cavalry fort includes barracks and a Roman bathhouse plus a museum with Roman artefacts.
B6318, 1.5km west of Chollerford
Tel (01434) 681 379
Website www.english-heritage.org.uk
Admission £4.50
Open Jan-Mar 10am-4pm daily; Apr-Sep 9.30am-6pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-4pm daily
Corbridge Roman Site
Predating Hadrian's Wall, Corbridge Roman Site was an important supply base for the garrisons on the central section of Hadrian's Wall.
1km west of Corbridge
Tel (01434) 632 349
Website www.english-heritage.org.uk
Admission £4.50
Open Jan-Mar Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; Apr-Sep 10am-6pm daily; Oct 10am-4pm daily; Nov-Dec Sat-Sun 10am-4pm
Housesteads Roman Fort
Britain's best-preserved Roman fort is the best of the historic sites alongside Hadrian's Wall. It was built to house 800 soldiers and sits on a ridge offering sweeping views and it adjoins one of the best-preserved stretches of the wall.
B6318, northeast of Bardon Mill
Tel (01434) 344 363
Website www.english-heritage.org.uk
Admission £4.50
Open Jan-Mar 10am-4pm daily; Apr-Sep 10am-6pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-4pm daily
Roman Army Museum
This museum features exhibits about Hadrian's Wall including many artefacts found here.
Walltown, 1.5km northeast of Greenhead
Tel (016977) 47485
Website www.vindolanda.com
Admission £4.20; joint admission to Vindolanda £8
Open 15 Feb-30 Mar 10am-5pm daily; Apr-Sep 10am-6pm daily; 1 Oct-8 Nov 10am-5pm daily
Vindolanda
Excavations at this Roman fort, predating Hadrian's Wall, have unearthed an impressive collection of artefacts and rare documents that provide an insight into life in the Roman army. Visitors can visit a reconstructed temple, a section of the wall that has been rebuilt to its original size and a museum that displays many artefacts found here.
2.5km north of Bardon Mill
Tel (01434) 344 277
Website www.vindolanda.com
Admission £5.20; joint admission to Roman Army Museum £8
Open Feb-Mar 10am-5pm daily; Apr-Sep 10am-6pm daily; Oct-Nov 10am-5pm daily
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