This guided walking holiday offers the best of Hadrian’s Wall as a linear walk from west to east. It begins where the wall becomes increasingly more visible and takes in the best preserved highlights of the wall along the way. We walk the main section of the wall that contains such gems as the forts at Birdoswald, Housesteads and Chesters. We also walk past Sycamore Gap where Robin Hood’s tree stands proud in a dip in the landscape. It is thought to be one of the most photographed trees in the UK.

We will be based in Haltwhistle throughout our journey, staying at the very comfortable Centre of Britain Hotel, known for its friendly hospitality and amazing food. It is a truly wonderful place to return to each evening after our walk.

Itinerary (subject to change)

Day 1 Arrive at the hotel from 2pm and join your guide for an orientation briefing at 6.30pm followed by dinner

Day 2 Newtown to Birdoswald – 8.5 miles / 260m ascent/ 5 hours
Travel to Newtown where we start our journey eastwards. The path cuts through beautiful rolling countryside on its way to Birdoswald Fort. There are earth-covered remains of the wall en route plus the more substantial footrpints of various turret houses and a signal post evocative of times gone by. Birdoswalk Fort itself is Cumbria’s principal Roman Wall exhibition fort giving a remarkable sense of life along the Roman frontier. It certainly makes a fitting end to our first day’s walking.

Day 3 Birdoswald to Steel Rigg – 10 miles / 615m ascent/ 6 hours
From Birdoswald we enter perhaps the most stunning section of the wall with notable stretches of visible standing wall and the jagged hills formed by the hard volcanic rock known as Whin Sill. If you have seen photogrphss of Hadrian’s Wall then this is most likley the section featured. Today’s walk ends at The Sill, National Landscape Discovery Centre where we will take time to learn about the landscape.

Day 4 Steel Rigg to Chollerford – 12 miles / 510m ascent / 7 hours
Today’s walk starts with perhaps the most popular section of the wall leading to Housesteads Roman Fort. The path undulates as it follows the shape of the land before levelling off on our way eastwards to Chollerford. There are wonderful views to north and south from the high points plus a fine selection of milecastle and turret remains.

Day 5 An optional shorter walk from the hotel. The route will be decided nearer the time but will finish at around 2pm giving women plenty of time for their onward journey. Or perhaps you would like to take a taxi to visit Vindolanda Roman Fort for a final dose of Hadrian’s Wall history.

• Price
• Grade
• Accommodation
• Guide
• Travel

Twin Shared Ensuite £660 / Single Occupancy Ensuite £760 Price includes: 4 nights full board accommodation; transport to walks Not included: travel to Haltwhistle; insurance; drinks; entrance fees to Roman forts etc (optional)

The walks on this holiday are mainly moderate in grade with the last full day being a little more challenging at 12 miles. As it is a linear walk from point to point, a reasonable level of fitness is required to complete each day. Some pre-holiday preparation would come in useful.

We stay at the very comfortable and welcoming 3 star Centre of Britain Hotel where the rooms and food are of a high standard.

Your guide for this holiday is Clare Kelly, owner of Her on a Hill with 20+ years of experience as a walking guide.

By Train: The nearest station is at Haltwhistle, only a few minutes walk away from the hotel. It is on the main Carlisle / Newcastle line and trains run every hour. By Road: Situated on A69 Newcastle to Carlisle road. Turn off following signs for Haltwhistle. The hotel is situated on the Main Street near to the Market Square. ​