Best of Hadrians Wall Walk

We arrive in Greenhead for an overnight stay.

We take a taxi to Lanercost Priory – payable locally – to savour the beauty and tranquillity of Cumbria’s best preserved Augustinian monastery, with graceful triple tier arches and cloisters fashioned from sandstone taken from Hadrian’s Wall. We then walk back to Greenhead along Hadrian’s Wall Path, following the longest surviving stretch of the Wall. Along the way we pass Milecastles and Turrets, enjoy the views from Banks East Turret, and look forward to Birdoswald Fort, Harrows Scar Wall and the impressive Willowford Wall. Overnight in Greenhead.

We follow Hadrian’s Wall Path, with sections of the Pennine Way, to Once Brewed, tracing the dramatic crests of Walltown and Cawfields Crags with wonderful views. Reaching Winshield Crags – the highest point on the entire Hadrian’s Wall Path – we enjoy a sweeping 360 degree panorama. You may choose to extend the walk to visit the Roman Fort and Museum at Vindolanda, built before the Wall as a garrison on the Stanegate Road, offering a vivid glimpse into the region’s Roman past. Overnight in Once Brewed.

Today we continue along Hadrian’s Wall Path past the famous Sycamore Gap, enjoying superb views over Crag Lough and the rolling Northumberland hills. We visit Housesteads Roman Fort & Museum – one of the best preserved Roman forts in the country – where the museum helps bring the site’s story to life. We then follow the Sewingshields Crags with excellent views over Broomlee Lough and continue to Chesters Roman Fort, noted for its unusually well preserved baths and steam room. Overnight in Chollerford.

We follow Hadrian’s Wall Path to St Oswald’s Church, then head south past the hamlet of Halton with its private castle before calling in at magnificent Aydon Castle. Open to the public – and closed on Monday and Tuesday – this fortified 13th century manor house is almost completely intact and has a walled orchard ideal for picnics. The route meanders across fields, grazing pastures and small woodlands, with far reaching views over the Northumberland countryside, before quiet lanes and field paths lead us down into the Roman garrison town of Corbridge. Overnight in Corbridge.

We depart after breakfast.