Discover More along Hadrian’s Wall

Check in at the hotel is available from 3pm. Your leader will be at reception at 18:00 to meet the group and for a quick introduction to the holiday before dinner.

Please note: If you are not already a member of English Heritage, we would recommend joining. Many of our members are already members of English Heritage too, so we have not included the entrance to English Heritage or National Trust properties in this programme, as they will receive free entrance to these properties when they show their membership card. It is often cheaper to be a member than to pay entrance to the sights individually.

For those of you with English Heritage and/or National Trust membership – please bring your membership cards with you.

Known as Lugavalium by the Romans, the city of Carlisle is steeped not only in Roman history but in stories of the Border Reivers and the Anglo-Scottish wars, too. We'll begin with a walking tour of the city’s historic centre. We’ll pass Carlisle Castle, St Cuthbert’s Church, Guildhall and the town walls. Alternatively, you can explore independently and take time to visit the castle (English Heritage members receive free entrance). We then visit Carlisle Cathedral (entrance included) to admire its medieval paintings and stained glass, before our final visit of the day to Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery (entrance included) where we’ll learn about the city’s cultural and historical significance. 

Today begins with a visit to Lanercost Priory (English Heritage property - entrance not included) which was built in 1166 with red sandstone taken from Hadrian's Wall. There’s a short photo stop at one of the best-preserved sections of Hadrian’s Wall – Banks East Turret – before arriving at 2000-year-old Birdoswald Roman Fort (English Heritage property - entrance not included). Once home to 1000 soldiers, the exhibitions here give us a good introduction to the history of Hadrian’s Wall.

A short walk (approx. 1 mile) from Birdoswald to Gilsland, takes us along a fabulous section of the wall, before our coach transfers us to the Roman Army Museum (entrance included) at Walltown. Enjoy the short film, The Eagles Eye, for a fascinating glimpse into life as a Roman soldier.

Alternatively, if the weather is nice, there’s also the option of visiting Walltown Country Park to stretch your legs and enjoy the views.

Our first stop today is Steel Rigg – the most photographed section of Hadrian’s Wall. It’s a striking landscape of crags and loughs, with the Roman wall running dramatically along the ridge. We’ll then stop at The Sill National Park Centre to learn about the area’s geology and ecology in its small but fascinating exhibition. 

Next, we visit Housesteads – the most complete Roman fort in Britain (an English Heritage/National Trust property; entrance not included). There’s plenty of time to explore before we move on to what many consider the highlight of the day – Vindolanda (entrance included). Alongside the impressive fort remains, Vindolanda boasts beautiful gardens and a world-class museum displaying remarkable finds, including Roman writing tablets, shoes, ceremonial horse masks, and even wigs. Don’t miss the Vindolanda Tablets – they’re some of the oldest surviving handwritten documents ever found in Britain and even contain a birthday party invite from 100AD. 

Chester’s cavalry fort (English Heritage property; entrance not included) boasts a scenic setting on the banks of the River Tyne and is ours to explore this morning.  Chesters was originally the grounds of a country house, home to John Clayton, the man responsible for the initiation and restoration of the wall around 1832. The museum here displays his finds at various sites along Hadrian’s Wall and is a memorial to his mammoth efforts.

From Chesters we head to Hexham, recently voted as one of the happiest places to live in Britain. We’ve time here to enjoy our lunch and stroll around the shops and galleries, or to visit Hexham Abbey, or its historic Gaol.

We’ll move on to Corbridge for a visit to the ruins of a once-thriving Roman garrison town (English Heritage property; entrance not included), and the chance to explore this pretty village. Alternatively, sit and relax with a drink or two in one of its many pubs or teashops, or even in a converted Pele Tower.

We travel to the east coast for our final day, following the route of Hadrian’s Wall to the rather aptly-named Wallsend, and its Roman fort – Segedunum (entrance included). Explore the fascinating exhibits and climb the 35metre viewing tower for the best views over the site.

From here our coach takes us into Newcastle-upon-Tyne, locally known as the “Toon”, for a visit to the Great Museum of the North (free entrance). After the visit there’s the option to explore independently, or your leader will offer a short walking tour of the town.