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United Kingdom: Northumberland

Walking the Best of Hadrian’s Wall

Trip code: W05HW

Average customer rating 4.8 / 5(34 verified reviews)

Self-Guided Walking
5 nights hotel-to-hotel
Moderate
CO₂ rating 1/5
Headwater Navigation app

Trip highlights

Walk along Hadrian’s Wall – the largest historical monument in Britain

Visit the ancient Roman forts of Birdoswald, Vindolanda, Housesteads and Chesters

Walk from West to East, keeping the prevailing winds behind you (and better views)

Beautiful scenery with views across to the Lake District and the Northumberland Coast

Discover other historical buildings including Lanercost Priory and St Oswald’s Church

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Trip details

Hadrian’s Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is Britain’s largest archaeological feature and was the northernmost limit of the Roman Empire. An immense feat of labour, the building of the wall started in AD122 during the reign of emperor Hadrian and took 6 years to complete. Three Roman legions completed the task of building a 73 mile long wall with 80 milecastle fortlets with two observation turrets between each one and then larger garrison forts every five miles or so along the wall.

What's included

Included

  • 5 nights in 3-star equivalent, 3-star and 4-star accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Luggage transfers between hotels

Not included

  • Flights
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Day 2 Taxi transfer
  • Travel insurance

Travel options

Our travel specialists can arrange flights, rail and transfers to this holiday from wherever you are. Call us to plan your journey. +44 1606 720099

Itinerary

Route map, with each night's stop marked
The full route, night by night. Select the map to view it full screen.

Day 1 · —Arrive in Greenhead and overnight

Arrive in Greenhead and overnight

Arrive in Greenhead and overnight.

You stay at Blenkinsopp Castle Inn

Blenkinsopp Castle Exterior
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equivalent

Blenkinsopp Castle Inn

Greenhead

  • Mastercard
  • Television
  • Visa cards
  • Wifi access

Dating back to the 13th century, this traditional former Coaching Stable is a treasure trove of architectural features. Connected to the grade 1 listed Blenkinsopp Castle, originally a medieval fortified manor house. Featuring 5 spacious rooms, all with external doors with access to an outside patio and sun terrace. Amenities include a bar and bistro serving evening meals.

All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, tea and coffee making facilities and private bathroom.

Day 2 · 15km/9.3miLanercost to Greenhead

Lanercost to Greenhead

Take a taxi to Lanercost Priory (payable locally) to discover the beauty and tranquillity of Cumbria’s best-preserved Augustinian monastery with its intact triple tier arches and cloisters. It is an evocative place, constructed almost entirely from sandstone pilfered from Hadrian’s Wall. Walk back to the hotel in Greenhead along Hadrian’s Wall Path and the longest remaining stretch of the wall. Along the way, you will pass the remains of numerous Milecastles and Turrets and impressive sections of The Wall, enjoying wonderful views (notably from Banks East Turret). Look forward to the expansive Birdoswald Fort; Harrows Scar Wall and the impressive Willowford Wall. Overnight in Greenhead.

Elevation

Lanercost to Greenhead elevation profile

You stay at Blenkinsopp Castle Inn

Blenkinsopp Castle Exterior
Image 1 of 6
equivalent

Blenkinsopp Castle Inn

Greenhead

  • Mastercard
  • Television
  • Visa cards
  • Wifi access

Dating back to the 13th century, this traditional former Coaching Stable is a treasure trove of architectural features. Connected to the grade 1 listed Blenkinsopp Castle, originally a medieval fortified manor house. Featuring 5 spacious rooms, all with external doors with access to an outside patio and sun terrace. Amenities include a bar and bistro serving evening meals.

All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, television, tea and coffee making facilities and private bathroom.

Day 3 · 13km/8.1miGreenhead to Once Brewed

Greenhead to Once Brewed

Follow the Hadrian’s Wall Path (and parts of the Pennine Way) to Once Brewed. Walk along the top of the stunning Walltown and Cawfields Crags, both offering wonderful views of the wild and dramatic landscape. Reaching the summit of Winshield Crags, enjoy a superb 360 panorama from this, the highest point on the whole of the Hadrian’s Wall Path. Extend your walk to visit the highly recommended Roman Fort and Museum at Vindolanda, constructed before Hadrian’s Wall as a garrison on the Stanegate Road – the first Roman frontier in the north. The site provides a unique glimpse into the history of Roman occupation in the region and showcases the evolving nature of the fort over the years. Overnight in Once Brewed.

Elevation

Greenhead to Once Brewed elevation profile

You stay at Twice Brewed Inn

Twice Brewed Inn - bedroom
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Twice Brewed Inn

Once Brewed

Set in the village of Once Brewed, The Twice Brewed Inn has a restaurant, bar, garden, and free WiFi throughout the property. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. There is an onsite Brew House (brewery) producing some excellent ales named after local landmarks and Roman connections (Ale Caesar!, Sycamore Gap and Northern Frontier). There is also an observatory and a group of guides who run regular star-gazing sessions. These can be booked online in advance at an extra charge.

All guest rooms in the inn are fitted with a kettle. At The Twice Brewed Inn all rooms include a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a Full English/Irish or a vegetarian breakfast.

You can also play darts at The Twice Brewed Inn and private parking can be arranged (at an extra charge).

Day 4 · 21km/13.0miOnce Brewed to Chollerford

Once Brewed to Chollerford

Today’s walk takes you along Hadrian’s Wall Path to enjoy fabulous views of Crag Lough and the rolling Northumberland hills. Visit the Housesteads Roman Fort & Museum – one of the best-preserved Roman forts in the country and its setting is without doubt the most impressive. The Museum adds another layer to the understanding of Roman history in the region, offering a unique and immersive experience by utilizing various multimedia elements to bring the story of the fort to life. Walk along the Sewingshields Crags with excellent views over Broomlee Lough and on to Chesters Fort. One of the notable features of Chesters Roman Fort is its unusually well-preserved baths and steam room. Overnight in Chollerford.

(n.b. Sadly, the tree at Sycamore Gap was vandalised and felled in September 2023 so is no longer there. The site continues to be a popular landmark and has since sprouted from the stump. Standing in a dramatic dip in the landscape created by glacial meltwater, it was one of the country’s most photographed trees and an emblem for the North East of England).

Elevation

Once Brewed to Chollerford elevation profile

You stay at The George Hotel

George Hotel Exterior 3
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The George Hotel

Chollerford

  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Safe
  • Television
  • Visa cards
  • Wifi access

Northumberland hotels are known for their historic beauty, and the George Hotel is no exception – the picturesque stone-build building dates all the way back to the 18th century.

Out of all of the hotels in Hexham and Chollerford, The George is in one of the most wonderful positions on the pretty North Tyne River, near to the walking route for Hadrian’s Wall and five minutes’ walk to Chester’s roman fort. Browse the shops, galleries, theatre and arts centre clustered round the medieval Abbey in nearby Hexham or explore Muckle Moss National Nature Reserve, the North Pennines, Kielder Water and the International Dark Skies Park.

In total The George Hotel sports 47 bedrooms, each room contains the familiar comforts including a tea and coffee making station, in-room safe, en-suite and TV.

Day 5 · 15km/9.3miChollerford to Corbridge

Chollerford to Corbridge

Follow the Hadrian’s Wall Path to visit St Oswald’s Church, then head south, passing the idyllic hamlet of Halton with its (private) castle before calling in at the magnificent Aydon Castle. Open to the public, Aydon Castle is a must-see (closed on a Mon & Tues). This fortified 13th century English manor house is almost completely intact and has a walled orchard perfect for picnics. The walk meanders across fields and grazing pastures, and through small woodlands, with expansive and far-reaching views over the rolling Northumberland countryside. Quiet country lanes and field paths then take you down into the delightful Roman Garrison town of Corbridge. Overnight in Corbridge.

Elevation

Chollerford to Corbridge elevation profile

You stay at The Angel Inn

Angel Inn Exterior
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The Angel Inn

Corbridge

  • Hairdryers
  • Mastercard
  • Television
  • Visa cards
  • Wifi access

Dating back to 1569, The Angel of Corbridge is an historic coaching inn offering great British hearty pub grub, local real ales and roaring log fires. Set in affluent Corbridge, itself surrounded by beautiful Northumberland countryside, this inn is the perfect location for discovering Corbridge Roman garrison town with its main street, flanked by the remains of granaries, a fountain house, markets, workshops and temples.

The Angel Inn has 11 quaint and quirky rooms with en-suite bathroom, tea & coffee making facilities, flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi and bottled water. The inn offers a wonderful menu of pub grub and there is even an in-house ‘chippy’ (fish & chip shop)! A hearty cooked Northumberland breakfast is offered the following morning.

Should this accommodation not be available, an alternative of the same standard will be used

Day 6 · —Departure

Departure

Depart after breakfast

What our travellers say

We had very enjoyable holiday despite the restrictions

Mrs Bartlett

Though pretty gruelling (for two old men at any rate), it was a wonderful experience. The Headwater organisation from start to finish was superb and all the arrangements with hotels etc went very smoothly.

Mr BALDWIN

Lovely holiday walking Hadrian’s Wall organised by pleasant and efficient office staff. We even had some sunshine as an added bonus! Hotels all good but bag transfers arriving late was very annoying after long days walking. Value for money questionable overall. Had to get own taxi to start our 5 days (£45 Corbridge to Greenhead). Then charged £30 for taxi from Greenhead to Lanercost. Suggest others shop around taxi firms and book in advance. Admission to Roman sites also additional cost. We ate in the hotels in which we stayed. All very good apart from the Angel Inn which was just ok. Suggest book a different restaurant in Corbridge. We booked with Headwater as it gave us a sense of security in these uncertain COVID days. Some room for improvement though!

Reply from Headwater

Thank you for your holiday summary, we are very pleased to learn you enjoyed your time on holiday with us. We are sorry to learn of the luggage arriving late, we have addressed this with our baggage handling company and we have sent you a private message with a more in depth explanation. Thank you for your feedback, it is only through our customer feedback that we are able to continuously improve our product.
Headwater Customer Service Team

Mrs WILSON

The Hadrian’s Wall walk was excellent – beautiful scenery, lots of history and good weather. The routs was easy to follow and the walking well within our capabilities. Two Brewed is on the Pennine Way and the Hadrian’s Wall Way and was quite crowded. The Angel in Corbridge felt under staffed at times and was also busy. This would be less of a concern when COVID was not around.
Price wise, which acknowledging hotels are keen to recoup losses from the last 16 months, we felt there were some issues in respect of charges and the quality offered. This was particulalry so in respect of The Angel.

Reply from Headwater

Thank you for taking the time to share your holiday experience with us. It is lovely to read you enjoyed your time away with us. Thank you for your comments regarding price and quality, our Programme Manager is in receipt of your feedback and will look further in to this matter.
Headwater Customer Service Team

Mr INGHAM

A wonderful walk that takes in the best of Hadrians Wall with plenty of time to see various sites along the route. The walking is very varied each day so no chance of getting bored of the scenery. The Hotel(s) service and food was a genuine pleasure to experience at the end of the day. A most enjoyable holiday.

Mrs SMITH

An amazing privilege to travel this ancient route and see the remains and ruins of the Vindolanda, Housesteads and Chesters forts, as well as the impressive roman town at Corbridge. (It’s worth joining English Heritage, as this repays itself by the time you have also visited these sites as well as the medieval Lanercost Priory and Aydon Castle.)

Ms GRAVELL

An excellent walking holiday with a lot of variation each day in landscape and history.We spent an extra day(and night) at Twice Brewed to enable us to visit Housesteads and Hexham at leisure using the AD122 bus and fitted in Corbridge Roman Town and Aydon Castle by arriving early on Day 1. It was not as easy obtaining a taxi for 9-9.30 am from Greenhead to Lanercost Priory on day 2 as explained in the Information Notes. We managed to get one but the cost was £18. Having to leave our car at Twice Brewed rather than at Corbridge was a great advantage. However, we managed to avoid the suggested use of a taxi at the end to get us from Corbridge back to Twice Brewed at the price of £40 by using a No.10 bus to Hexham and then an AD122 bus to Twice Brewed as advised by a local taxi firm! As we have bus passes, this was a free option!Because of the number of places of interest to visit and the length of the walks,the preliminary research done proved very beneficial.Baggage transfers excellent

Reply from Headwater

Thank you for your holiday summary, it is great to see you had an excellent holiday with us. We appreciate the additional advice you have offered – very beneficial to our team and future customers. Thank you for choosing Headwater for your UK break in 2021.
Headwater Customer Service Team

Mr JENKINS

Extremely enjoyable walking, with lovely pubs to stay in at the end of each day. Food in the hotels at the end of each day was good, with the Hadrian Hotel in particular standing out as excellent.

Mr GOLDINGAY

A walking holiday packed with historical sites. Advisable to pre-book taxis and evening meals.

Ms SHARMAN

A great week. We have to mention the Star Gazing at Twice Brewed which was great. Walk notes were very accurate and easy to follow. A well needed holiday enjoyed by everyone.

Mrs DUFFIELD
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Positive impact

Carbon score for this trip

10.0

Kg CO₂e

per person, per night

Relative to other Headwater trips

We measure emissions from the parts of the holiday we organise — including accommodation, in-trip transport, meals and activities — and express them as CO₂e per person, per night. Our label doesn’t include your travel to and from the start of the trip. As a Certified B Corp, Headwater is committed to reducing this figure and to positively impacting local communities, the local environment and our staff. Learn more

From£729per person