The best place to see Hadrian’s Wall and 8 other locations

The best place to see Hadrian’s Wall. Where is the best places to see the roman wall UNESCO world heritage site Hadrian’s Wall? This was a question we asked ourselves when we went on a Summer road trip up to the Isle of Skye and Ayr. More important for use it needed to be the best place to see Hadrians wall by car! Since we were driving and stopping there on route. I guess it really depends on what you are after. There are various locations across the North of England where you can visit remnants of Hadrian’s Wall. Many are centred around Roman Forts and Roman Army Museum. It is also possible to hike the entire length 73-mile-long wall (80 Roman miles). We were looking for the best part of Hadrian’s wall to see by car and stumbled on Walltown Crags.  This is how we got on visiting Hadrian’s wall. 

Walking along the route of Hadrian’s wall path is something that Charlie is very keen to do and now on his bucket list. Having picked up a Hadrian’s wall passport he plans to take the Hadrian’s wall path national trail route through all the small villages and of the Roman empire. Just as the Roman soldiers would have done during the Roman times. Definitely, a plan for the future once the boys are old enough to walk the length of the wall. But so far we have managed to visit a couple of the historic sites. I think Walltown Crags is our favourite section of Hadrian Wall to date is easy to find and free to view. More west coast than east coast it is located about half an hours drive from Carlisle Castle in the middle sections.

Where can I see Hadrian’s Wall snaking into the distance?

For me, I wanted to see the wall, a long expanse of it disappearing into the yonder. Although the forts are interesting when we visited Scotland in the Summer all I really wanted to see was the wall. To date had been a little disappointed with what we had found until we visited Walltown Crags. Which turned out to be the best place to see hadrians wall by car.

Walltown Crags sits between the archaeological sites and Roman sites of  Birdoswald Roman Fort and Housesteads Roman Fort. This means that if forts are your thing, you can incorporate one or both Roman history sites into your visit. This is great if you are wanting to make a day of it and visit several different places. However, we were just passing through when we visited and time was of the essence. I do think that my husband thought I was mad as we were already unlikely to make the check-in time for our accomodation. However, I am a great believer in making the most of the time you have and I am so glad we did as we would have missed some dramatic views.

If you want to extend your visit then you could add some of these places:

Thirlwall Castle

• Thirlwall Castle is a ruined medieval castle built in the 12th century as a defensive structure to protect the area from Scottish raids. The castle is situated near the Hadrian’s Wall and overlooks the River Tipalt. It was constructed using locally quarried stone and consists of a rectangular keep and a surrounding wall. The castle has a long and fascinating history, having been occupied by various families over the centuries, including the Dacres, the Howards, and the Radcliffes. 
• Today, the castle is a popular tourist attraction and a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument. Visitors can explore the ruins of the castle, including the keep and the surrounding walls, and learn about the castle’s history and its role in the defence of the border between England and Scotland.
• Distance from Walltown Crags – The best way to reach the castle is on foot by walking 0.9 miles. On the website, you can find details of a circular walk back to Walltown Country Park.
• Address – 7HL, Pennine Way, Brampton
• Cost – free part of the Northumberland National Park, no admission fee.

 

Birdoswald Roman Fort

• Birdoswald Fort, also known as Banna, was built in the 2nd century AD as part of the Hadrian’s Wall system. The fort is situated on a high bluff overlooking the River Irthing and provides a commanding view of the dramatic countryside. Today, the fort is a popular tourist attraction and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Scottish borders. Visitors can explore the remains of the fort, including the walls, gateways, and barracks, as well as learn about the fascinating history of the Roman Empire and its impact on the British Isles. Including a short history of Hadrian and the building of the wall. 
• Distance from Walltown Crags – 4.8 miles by car or 3.9 miles by foot.
• Address – Gilsland, Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 7DD
• Cost – free to English Heritage members, £12.50 for an adult, £7.50 for a child and a family ticket £32.50

 

Great Chester Fort

• Great Chesters Roman Fort, also known as Aesica, has the remnants of the bath houses and views across the river Tyne. There is also a small museum showing the various Roman finds and a great place to stop for a cuppa in the tearoom. There are normally some sort of events being run here, especially in the school holidays making it well worth visiting. You could walk the circular routes 
• Distance from Walltown Crags – 5.8miles by car 2.6miles by foot following the course of the wall
• Address – Chollerford, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 4EU
• Cost – free to English Heritage members, £11.50 for an adult, £6.50 for a child and a family ticket £28.50

 

Sycamore Gap & Steel Rigg

• Steel Rigg is a hill that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including Hadrian’s Wall and the Northumberland National Park. It is a popular spot for hiking and walking, with several trails leading to the top of the hill. 
• Sycamore Gap is a picturesque location that is famous for its lone sycamore tree that stands in the middle of a dip in the landscape. The Sycamore Gap Tree has been featured in several films and TV shows, including the popular movie “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” starring Kevin Costner. And now has the nick name of the Robin Hood Tree and one of the most photographed trees in the United Kingdom. Visitors can hike to the locations from the Steel Rigg car park, and enjoy the stunning views of the tree and the surrounding countryside. Both Steel Rigg and Sycamore Gap are part of the Hadrian’s Wall system
• Distance from Walltown Crags – 6.3 miles by car
• Address – Northumberland National Park, Once Brewed, Hexham NE47 7AW
• Cost – free all year round

 

Vindolanda Fort

• The Roman Vindolanda Fort is an ancient Roman fortification built in the 2nd century AD as part of the Hadrian’s Wall system. The fort is situated on the south bank of the River South Tyne and is known for its well-preserved remains of Roman military and civilian life including the Vindolanda tablets, which were the oldest surviving handwritten documents in Britain. The fort was occupied for over 300 years and yielded an incredible collection of artefacts, including weapons, pottery, and documents written on wooden tablets. 
• Today, the fort is a popular tourist attraction and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore a large Pre-Hadrianic bathhouse, several commanding officer’s residences and barrack buildings and a headquarters building. There is also 3rd and 4th-century evidence of village houses and workshops, latrines, and a Roman Celtic temple to an unknown Romano Celtic God. As well as a Post-Roman mausoleum.
• The Vindolanda Museum, located on the site, houses a collection of artefacts from the Roman period and provides a glimpse into the daily life of the Roman legions and civilians who lived in the Roman settlements.
• There is a cafe on site selling a range of hot and cold snacks and drinks, toilets and a gift shop selling souvenirs. 
• Distance from Walltown Crags – 6.9 miles by car
• Address – Hexham NE47 7JN
• Cost – Tickets remain valid (until used) for 12 months from the date of purchase. £12.50 for an adult, £6 for a child and £32 for a family. It is also possible to purchase a savers ticket where you can also visit the Magna Fort and Roman Museum. 

 

Housesteads Roman Fort

• Housesteads Roman Fort, also known as Vercovicium, is situated on a high ridge overlooking the surrounding countryside and provides a stunning view of the Northumberland National Park. The fort also has an on-site museum with a collection of artefacts from the Roman period, including weapons, pottery, and jewellery. In the summer months they are offering live excavations. Details are on the website and ideal for seeing fresh details of Ancient Roman Britain.
• Distance from Walltown Crags – 8.4 miles
• Address – Haydon Bridge, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 6NN
• Cost – free to English Heritage members, £12.50 for an adult, £7.50 for a child and a family ticket £32.50

 

Corbridge Roman Town

• Corbridge Roman Town is an ancient Roman settlement located in Northumberland, England. It was founded in the 1st century AD and was an important centre of trade and commerce in northern Britain. The town was situated on the banks of the River Tyne and was strategically located at the intersection of several major Roman roads on the national route. Today it houses one of the most important Roman collections in Britain, and many of the objects offer a fascinating insight into life in a Roman town at the wild northwest frontier of the Roman Empire. 
• There is also a museum which shows the wealth of Corbridge across the centuries reflected in the many beautiful items of jewellery and ornate glassware in the collection. With 50,000 recorded items it offers a wealth of evidence to help us understand life in the most northerly town in the Roman Empire. It’s inscriptions and sculptural material are the best collection in the north of Britain. 
• Distance from Walltown Crags – depends on which route you take but approximately 25 miles
• Address – Corchester Lane, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5NT
• Cost – free to English Heritage members, £12.50 for an adult, £7.50 for a child and a family ticket £32.50

 

Segedunum Roman Fort

• This one is a bit of a drive but worth it if you are looking to cover different sections of the wall. The Segedunum Roman Fort is an ancient Roman fortification located in Tyne and Wear in the town of Wallsend. The boys and I visited this on another trip when we stayed in Northumberland. Inside there is an interactive museum ideal for kids to explore as well as an observation tower which gives views across the site.  Outside you can get close to elements of Hadrian’s Wall within a 10-minute walk. It offers something completely different to the rest of the locations above. 
• Distance from Walltown Crags
• Address – Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum, Buddle Street, Wallsend, Tyne & Wear NE28 6HR
• Cost – Adults cost £6.95 with children under the age of 16 being free

 

Where to park near Walltown Crags

We used the postcode off of the English Heritage website to find the wall – Greenhead, Hexham, Northumberland, CA8 7JD. It is signposted with traditional brown signs from the main road. And part of the Northumberland National Park. As we were stopping on our route to Ayr. I was hoping it would not be a long walk as we really didn’t have time.  Hence the reason we were looking for the best place to see Hadrians wall by car! Thankfully there is Walltown Country Park very close by (also signposted) which provides an NCP pay and display car park. The park is located in what was Walltown Quarry.

Next to the car park, there are toilets, a gift shop. light refreshments and cold drinks. There are also maps available in the Walltown visitor centre and someone on hand to answer any questions you may have. This is as close as you can park to the wall at Walltown Crags. Like many of the locations along Hadrian’s wall walk, this area is an English Heritage Site. 

It does not appear easy to reach by public transport. Although we did see a taxi drop someone off and there was a bus stop.

How long do I need at Walltown Crags

Unlike many other English Heritage sites, you do not need to book in advance to visit the wall. Or even pay. The only cost is the car park which was £1 for an hour. And to be honest all you will probably need is an hour unless you also bring a picnic to enjoy the dramatic scenery. You literally just turn up and walk – it is only a short walk. It took us around fifteen minutes to follow the path across the country park and walk up the steep hill at the end. I could imagine that in the wet weather, this becomes quite a slippery slope.

The route across the park is hard-paved and even. But when you reach the climb to the top of the wall there is no shelter, it is steep and uneven in places. You can not do this with a buggy. Babies and toddlers would need to be in carriers. But although it is steep and uneven in places the view is worth it. As you really do get the chance to see the wall snaking off into the yonder. Exactly like the stunning photos you sometimes see of the wall online. It was one of the best preserved sections of Hadrian Wall we have seen.

We spent about forty minutes exploring the wall before walking back to the car. Although the stretch is not very long you can see for miles and the evidence of the wall. The boys enjoyed walking alongside it and sitting on the wall taking it all in. There are also a few information boards dotted around giving information such as this one about Walltown turret. 

Hadrian’s Wall at Walltown Crags

Hadrian’s wall stretches and runs right along the hill line. Which is very up and down and there are places where it disappears altogether. But there are spectacular views. If you follow it as we did then you also need to climb up and down. Again due to the nature of the landscape, it is uneven. Harry at five didn’t have any trouble with it. Although one of the finest examples of the wall in the country it still disappears into rumble at the end.

I am sure much of it has been used to build many a local wall over time. The walls that mark out the fields below look very similar snaking away from the Hadrian’s wall. Containing various herds of sheep. We had a little giggle as we sat taking it all in. The area is very peaceful. You can not help but stop and sit. Listening to the prevailing wind, the sheep and the insect life and surveying the panoramic views. Even though we visited in the Summer it was still quiet. We only came across three other people visiting one of the finest places to see the wall. This makes me wonder if it is not well known. 

Walltown Crags our conculsions

If you are local or passing through Northern Britain on your way to Scotland it is so worth a visit. Especially if looking for the best place to see Hadrian’s wall by car. It is one of the best things we did on our road trip. You would not regret stopping for this great trip. Just don’t forget your Hadrian’s Wall Passport, as we did! Meaning we will just have to go again in the future to get our stamp!

Have you visited Hadrian’s Wall on a day trip? I would love to know your favourite parts. If you are travelling up to Scotland from the South and are looking for somewhere to stop overnight to break up the journey. Then you may want to consider staying in Buxton on route as it’s a great place to stop when planning on visiting Hadrian’s Wall or Northern England.

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