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Hadrian's Wall

September 2021 - April 2024
Following the course of Hadrian's Wall and stopping off to visit its major sites. Read more
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  • TravelerHadrian's Wall
    Day 3

    Birdoswald Roman Fort

    September 19, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Birdoswald Roman Fort (originally called Banna) is situated on a commanding spur of land overlooking a meander of the River Irthing; originally a garrison for up to 800 soldiers, its defences are the best preserved of any along the Wall - it is close to Milecastle 49. There are excellent views of the surrounding countryside here (hence its location).  We have a good explore and look round the interesting and good museum there.

    The fort was reoccupied in the Middle Ages and was the target of raids by border reivers in the 16th century.  In the 19th century Victorian Birdoswald Farmhouse was constructed in the grounds of the Fort within metres of Hadrian’s Wall.    Read more

  • TravelerHadrian's Wall
    Day 3

    Hadrian's Wall Path; part 2

    September 19, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    We start at the Poltcross Burn Milecastle, Milecastle 48, just outside Gilsland; this is one of the best-preserved Milecastles on Hadrian's Wall and is unusually large as it contains two barrack blocks, an oven, a stair to the ramparts walk, and the remains of its north gateway.  It is known locally as The King's Stables. 

    We reach Willowford and walk along some beautiful and imposing sections of Hadrian's Wall to reach the bridge remains (abutments) of a Roman bridge that crossed the River Irthing. This part of Hadrian's Wall that leads up to Birdoswald is the longest continuous stretch visible today.

    After crossing the river, we head uphill to reach the Harrows Scar Milecastle, Milecastle 49, and walk up to the Birdoswald Roman Fort - there is an interesting carving on the wall as we get nearer.    Read more

  • TravelerHadrian's Wall
    Day 2

    Hadrian's Wall Path; part 1

    September 18, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    There are dramatic parts of the Hadrian's Wall Path either side of Housesteads as this is part of the Whin Sill escarpment, a tabular layer of igneous rock (dorolite). The the most intact parts of Hadrian's Wall are, not surprisingly, in the highest and least accessible parts of its course.

    We start at a dip in the crags known as King's Wicket, East of Housesteads and Milecastle 36. Passing the back of the fort to its west side, we reach trees and the path is actually on top of the wall. There are wonderful views looking ahead, and Hadrian's Wall does not look dissimilar to the Great Wall of China! We pass Hotbank Farm and we can see Crag Lough, an inland lake, ahead - but it is more spectacular looking back. We drop down to Sycamore Gap to pass a tree known as Robin Hood’s tree after its appearance in the ‘Prince of Thieves’ film, and soon reach Milecastle 39. Just before the Steel Rig car park (close to Milecastle 40) there are great views back to the Highshield Crags outcrop of the Whin Sill.    Read more

  • TravelerHadrian's Wall
    Day 2

    Housesteads Roman Fort

    September 18, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Housesteads Roman Fort (originally called Vercovicium) is set high on the Whin Sill escarpment, a strategic position as you can see for miles. It occupies a 5 acre site, could accommodate 1,000 infantry and cavalry and is Britain's most complete Roman Fort; outside was a Roman settlement. The Fort is between Milecastle 36 and 37.

    It is noted for its communal latrines, hygienically placed at the lowest corner of the fort. It is well known for its granary where you can see the pillars that supported a raised floor to keep food dry and free from vermin. There was also.a hospital here. The view looking East from the barrack blocks is excellent.    Read more

  • TravelerHadrian's Wall
    Day 1

    Roman Temple of Mithras

    September 17, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    The Roman Temple close to the Carrawburgh Roman fort (known as Brocolitia) was dedicated to Mithras; it dates from the third century. Only earthworks of Carrawburgh itself remain now; these are close to Milecastle 32.Read more

  • TravelerHadrian's Wall
    Day 1

    Chesters Roman Fort

    September 17, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Chesters Roman Fort (originally called Cilurnum) is the best preserved cavalry fort in Britain. It was built to defend a weak point where Hadrian's Wall crossed the River North Tyne and was necessary to guard the roman bridge there. The fort had the standard four gates, officers quarters and barracks blocks, but is particularly noted for the garrison bath-house complex and is the best example in the UK; there were hot, cold and steam baths for the tired and weary soldiers. The nearest Milecastle is 26.

    We also visited the small museum in a listed building that displays some of John Clayton's excavations.    Read more

  • TravelerHadrian's Wall
    Day 1

    Corbridge Roman Town

    September 17, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Corbridge (originally called Coria) was founded well before Hadrian's Wall was built; the wall is 2.5 miles away to the north (the nearest Milecastle is 22). It was originally a military fort, but evolved into the most northerly town in the Roman Empire due to its position at the junction of two major Roman roads (Dere Street and Stanegate).

    We explore the ruins of the fort, seeing what would have been the main street, including the large granaries and market. The museum is excellent and we see the Corbridge Hoard, found in 1964 and concealed in a wooden chest hidden away by a footsoldier, and marvel at the sculptures, including the Corbridge Lion; found in 1907, it dates from the second century, and was originally intended to adorn a grave.    Read more

  • TravelerHadrian's Wall
    1
    Day 1

    Introduction

    September 17, 2021 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Hadrian's Wall was built to reflect the northern extremity of the Roman Empire and not the boundary between Scotland and England, as many people think. Construction of the wall started in AD122 and was completed in AD128 under the stewardship of Emperor Hadrian; it is 73 miles long and runs from Wallsend in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear to Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria and acted as both a military fortification and to control trade and immigration across its boundary; 16 forts and various towns were on its route and there were turrets every Roman mile (milecastles). The Romans also constructed a Military Road immediately south of the wall for troop movements etc. Hadrian's Wall formed the North West frontier of the Roman Empire until AD410, when serious invasions started from the North by the Picts.

    Much of the wall has been lost due its use for construction etc over the centuries; it is either simply not there or its route indicated by dry stone walling. Portions of it do remain, however, as do many Roman artefacts; this is thanks largely due to the efforts of John Clayton, a Victorian.

    It is possible to walk the course of the route that Hadrian's Wall took via an 84 mile long footpath There is also a road, the B6318, that runs along some of, and in parts parallel to, the old Military Road (with the footpath criss-crossing it). We take the road option, turning off close to West Denton close to where Milecastle 8 was situated, and plan to visit some of the main sites en route . We will be based at Haltwhistle; there is no time to explore the town though.    Read more

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