I just lately returned from an eight-day, nine-night journey strolling Hadrian’s Wall Path in Northern England. This 84-mile Nationwide Path follows the stays of Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Website, and an historic Roman wall constructed to guard the Empire’s lands in Britannia from the Caledonians to the north again in 122 AD.
The thought of taking a strolling journey has been a bug in my mind ever since I first examine strolling holidays in the UK just a few years again. To me, this appeared like the right strategy to mark a milestone birthday or main life occasion. My journey was first deliberate for my fiftieth birthday “journey” in 2020, however that clearly didn’t work out and my solo strolling vacation ended up going down simply after dropping off my daughter at school in August as a strategy to escape my newly-empty nest.
To be sincere, I jetted off to England a bit unprepared as my current focus had been on getting every thing wanted for a dorm room bought and delivered. Sure, I had been upping my strolling mileage in current weeks, however probably not “coaching” per se. I used to be making the massive assumption that I used to be as much as the duty of strolling eight to 12 miles a day for eight days straight.
And whereas I had accomplished some analysis and skim some guidebooks, I nonetheless couldn’t wrap my head round what it might actually be wish to stroll lengthy distances daily, by myself, with no information. Would I be bored? (Probably not) Would I get misplaced? (A few occasions) Would I be capable to do it? (Sure however it was laborious) And most of all, would I take pleasure in it? (one hundred pc!)
Issues to Know Earlier than Strolling Hadrian’s Wall Path
In case you are contemplating taking a strolling vacation alongside the Hadrian’s Wall Path in England, right here are some things you need to know as you’re planning your journey.
1. The place Does Hadrian’s Wall path begin and finish?
Hadrian’s Wall Path runs from coast to coast (or simply about) in Northern England. It runs between Bowness-on-Solway within the west to Wallsend, close to Newcastle, within the east. The trail, which is 84 miles lengthy, follows the road of Hadrian’s Wall, many occasions alongside the wall’s historic stays.
The trail winds its manner by means of pastures and fields, alongside nation roads, by means of villages, traversing the cliff edges of the crags, and on paved paths and streets. Alongside the way in which, you’ll encounter historic sights together with castles, cathedrals, the stays of historic Roman forts and sign towers, and bustling cities resembling Carlisle and Newcastle.
2. Which is the very best route to stroll Hadrian’s Wall Path?
In case you have researched Hadrian’s Wall Path you might have observed that many individuals select to stroll the trail from east to west, beginning at Wallsend close to Newcastle and ending within the extra scenic Bowness-on-Solway. I positively observed on my stroll there have been many extra individuals strolling west than strolling east.
There are professionals and cons to every, however general I’m very pleased that I selected to stroll from west to east, starting in Bowness-on-Solway and ending in Wallsend. Right here is why:
- Beginning in Bowness-on-Solway you begin in a scenic village and spend the primary day strolling by means of the countryside and small villages. It begins you off with a style of the English countryside, which, particularly in case you are coming from abroad, might be a part of what you had been trying ahead to seeing in your stroll. On the flip facet, for those who begin in Wallsend, your first day is city and suburban, all on pavement.
- The winds are likely to blow from west to east, supplying you with the wind at your again fairly than in your face. I lucked out with just one small rain bathe however ought to the climate have turned, I’d a lot want the rain blowing towards my again than in my face.
- The start of the path in Bowness-on-Solway is only a small gazebo with a passport stamping station. To me, ending there feels a bit anti-climactic. Although strolling west to east on the final day is a bit brutal on the toes due to the pavement, ending at Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum at the very least means there will likely be somebody there to greet you as you end your journey (assuming you end throughout hours when the customer heart is open) to congratulate you. There’s additionally a small reward store for those who wished to choose up some “I walked Hadrian’s Wall” swag (after strolling 84 miles you deserve it) and, most significantly, a rest room.
- When strolling west to east, you’ll be able to take a day or half of a day in Carlisle earlier than beginning in case you are flying in from abroad and see a number of the historic sights, as an alternative of creating an extended detour in your stroll. And, on the finish of your stroll, you’ll be able to both backtrack on the Metro to remain in Newcastle for a day or spend a day on the seaside in Whitley Bay. I additionally prolonged my journey by taking the practice from Newcastle to Edinburgh, which was a brief 1.25-hour categorical practice experience north.
3. How lengthy does it take to stroll Hadrian’s Wall Path?
How lengthy it takes to stroll 84 miles is basically as much as you and what you’re feeling snug with. I did an eight-day, nine-night journey with strolling distances of eight to 13 miles per day. Throughout my journey, the vast majority of the individuals I met had been strolling Hadrian’s Wall Path in 5 to eight days. Some individuals added a relaxation day within the center and others wished to energy by means of. I even met somebody strolling your entire 84 miles in 36 hours for charity.
When planning, I encourage you to be life like about your talents and the cumulative impact of strolling lengthy distances (carrying a daypack) over a number of days. A 5 to eight-day hike of eight to twenty miles a day is NOT the identical as 5 separate hikes of eight to twenty miles every over a extra prolonged time frame. Simply because you’ll be able to stroll 15 miles doesn’t imply your physique is able to do it daily in a row for per week.
There isn’t actually a proper reply as to how lengthy it ought to take. There’s solely the precise reply for you.
4. What’s the greatest time to stroll Hadrian’s Wall Path?
Mountain climbing season runs from April to September and by the top of October, many locations of enterprise alongside the trail shut down for the winter. The trail is fragile from October by means of April and hikers are requested to keep away from the trail right now. Summer time is the busiest time to stroll, particularly on the middle part of the trail on the weekends and holidays, as these are notably in style with day hikers. Ideally, you need to plan to stroll from Walton to Heddon-on-Wall in the course of the week.
Understand that Northern England will be wet, so anticipate to have at the very least one or two wet days throughout your stroll. Within the spring, you’ll take pleasure in seeing loads of wildflowers and lambs, however it could even be a bit rainier and chances are you’ll want to observe the tide schedule close to Bowness-on-Solway to keep away from flooding.
Early September will likely be a bit quieter and the climate is mostly good. I walked from August 27-September 2nd and located the climate beautiful for strolling. Temperatures had been within the mid-60s to low 70s and I solely had at some point of sunshine rain showers. Understand that in case you are strolling in the summertime, you need to plan to e book your lodging by the spring, as there are restricted choices with solely a handful of rooms that do get booked up.
5. How do you get to Hadrian’s Wall Path?
In case you are beginning within the west, which is what I might advocate, you’ll be able to take a practice from London Euston Station or Glasgow to Carlisle on the Avanti West Coast Railway. There’s additionally an choice to take a long-distance bus on Nationwide Specific if finances is a priority. I really stayed in Carlisle for 2 nights and took a taxi service to Bowness-on-Solway to begin my stroll on the primary day. Alternatively, there are bus companies alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path, simply remember the fact that these don’t run to Bowness on the weekends.
In the event you want to begin within the east, you’ll be able to take a practice to Newcastle from Edinburgh or London Kings Cross on the LNER (London North Jap Railway.) From Newcastle, it’s straightforward to take the Metro to Wallsend or all the way in which to South Shields on the coast if you wish to make it a real coast-to-coast journey.
6. How do you e book a strolling vacation on Hadrian’s Wall Path?
Reserving a strolling vacation is pretty simple you probably have a superb guidebook to assist establish lodging alongside the route. Nonetheless, I discovered it a lot simpler to outsource the seek for obtainable lodging and baggage transfers by reserving by means of a strolling vacation firm.
Strolling vacation corporations will prepare transfers, e book lodging, deal with baggage transfers, and offer you an itinerary and guidebook/map for a self-guided journey. There are dozens of corporations focusing on strolling journeys and provide this service, some particularly for Hadrian’s Wall Path, and others that provide choices in a number of nations. I resolve to e book by means of Celtic Trails as a result of they provided the itinerary possibility that I used to be most serious about (8 days, 9 nights) and within the west-to-east route that I most popular.
In the event you want a gaggle journey or a guided strolling tour, there are just a few choices obtainable together with Hadrian’s Wall Ltd, HF Holidays, and Shepherds Walks Holidays. In the event you resolve you wish to camp or e book your personal lodging, you’ll be able to nonetheless prepare for bags transfers by means of a handful of corporations together with Hadrian’s Haul and Sherpa Van Venture for £7-9 a bag (20 kg weight restrict.)
7. The place do you keep alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path?
Word: This put up might include affiliate hyperlinks. In the event you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
In case you are on a good finances, there are campsites, bunkhouses, and hostels alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path. Wild tenting isn’t allowed, though I did meet one one that was wild tenting, nevertheless he did say somebody got here out to see what he was doing of their area within the morning.
In case you are like me and like a bit extra privateness and luxury, there are also mattress and breakfasts, inns, pubs, and even a few luxurious lodges. In case you are on the lookout for a relaxation day in the midst of the journey, I walked previous Walwick Corridor boutique lodge close to Chester’s Fort and it appeared beautiful!
Most inns and mattress and breakfasts embrace a hearty English breakfast and lots of provide packed lunches for a further price. In the event that they aren’t conveniently positioned inside strolling distance to a city, most may also provide dinner or have a full restaurant/pub.
Understand that in case you are touring by yourself and need a non-public room, you’ll doubtless must pay a bit additional for a single complement. Nonetheless, I really discovered room charges to be fairly reasonably priced, even with a single complement, particularly when in comparison with huge cities like London or Edinburgh.
Additionally remember the fact that many inns and mattress and breakfasts in Northern England don’t have air con, as it’s sometimes not often wanted. However given the current warmth waves in Europe in late June/early July, that’s one thing to bear in mind when reserving your journey.
That is the place I stayed and my fast ideas:
- Carlisle: Warwick Lodge: snug and handy mattress and breakfast, there was fairly a little bit of road noise although so I might advocate ear plugs or my must-have journey merchandise, Sleep Buds by Bose. Walkable to the practice station and loads of eating places.
- Brampton: Oakwood Park Resort: a stunning property residence on a farm with welcoming hosts, additionally gives a big menu of homecooked meals for dinner.
- Gilsland: The Samson Inn: positioned above a pub/restaurant, this was my least favourite lodging and worst burger I’ve ever had, however the comfort is tough to beat.
- Hexham/As soon as Brewed: The Twice Brewed Inn: positioned above a craft brewery and pub, this has a enjoyable vibe and considered one of my favourite facilities — a bath! Belief me once I say that after strolling the crags a shower will really feel so good. They provided an enormous breakfast and good meals within the restaurant for dinner.
- Simonburn: Simonburn Tea Rooms & Mattress and Breakfast: such a stunning mattress and breakfast within the countryside, you have to them to choose you up and drop you off on the path however the hospitality is terrific, as are the home made dinner choices. In the event you arrive early you’ll be able to take pleasure in tea or a glass of wine within the lovely backyard.
- Corbridge: Fellcroft Mattress & Breakfast: very gracious host, this B&B is extra like a house than an inn. Walkable to eating places on the town. You will want to get a switch to/from the trail. I type of want I had continued on to Heddon-on-Wall that day however maybe it’s higher that I didn’t because it was one other two hours of strolling to get there.
- Tyne and Put on: The Keelman’s Lodge: this restaurant/brewery has a separate constructing for lodging however with out a lot appeal or many facilities. It’s a nice location and the meals gained’t depart you hungry.
- Whitley Bay: The Metropolitan: as an alternative of staying in Newcastle, I continued on to the coast (through Metro from Wallsend) and stayed in Whitley Bay, just some minute stroll to the seaside on the North Sea. This fashionable B&B was probably the most trendy of my journey, with welcoming hosts and scrumptious breakfast alternate options to the standard English breakfast. Walkable to the Metro station, coastal promenade, and loads of eating places.
8. How match do you have to be to stroll Hadrian’s Wall Path?
You will note walkers of all ages alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path. You don’t want to be an skilled hiker, however you do must be in respectable form. The stroll general is rated straightforward to average. A lot of it’s flat however the heart portion of the stroll alongside the crags is a collection of undulating hills. Throughout these days my health monitoring app mentioned that I climbed the equal of 120-130 flooring every day.
Celtic Trails steered that I stroll 4 to seven miles a day for 4 days per week within the weeks main as much as my stroll. As well as, it is suggested to do at the very least one stroll so long as your longest stroll day. I wasn’t fairly in a position to do that, however I used to be constantly strolling three to 6 miles a day for just a few days per week within the couple of months prior, and did one nine-mile stroll.
Nonetheless, the error that I made was not doing these apply walks with a day pack. Whereas my toes and legs harm, my again and core harm extra from carrying my pack. I’d extremely advocate taking some hikes or walks with a loaded daypack.
9. Are there locations to eat on Hadrian’s Wall Path?
Whereas there are some cafes, tea rooms, and pubs on, or simply off, Hadrian’s Wall Path, it is very important plan forward. There are just a few stretches with none handy eating choices on path, exterior of espresso or snacks at a customer heart. In the event you don’t wish to add any additional mileage to your stroll, it could be greatest to convey alongside a packed lunch on as of late. Most lodging will provide a packed lunch for those who request it the night earlier than.
The lunch choices at pubs en route may be restricted to snacks resembling crisps or easy rolls or sandwiches. I like to recommend all the time carrying some snacks resembling vitality bars, salty snacks, and hydration tablets. Additionally, you will run throughout some honor snack cupboards/sheds that promote snacks and drinks for about £1 every, so make sure to carry some change.
I ended up selecting to not request packed lunches as a result of I didn’t need something extra to hold and two days I made a lunch of my snacks. After a hearty breakfast that was sufficient to hold me by means of.
All lodging present a full English breakfast which incorporates: eggs, bacon, toast, mushrooms, tomato, and black pudding, together with a collection of cereals and fruits. Most lodging may also present dinner or are inside strolling distance of eating places.
Since that is the English countryside, you’ll be able to anticipate to see a variety of conventional dishes resembling steak pie, fish and chips, mince and dumplings (floor beef in a gravy with biscuit-like dumplings), bacon rolls (grilled bacon sandwich on a roll), prawn salad (small shrimp in a mayonnaise-based sauce), and roast beef or pork. Make sure to save room for the “pudding” (aka dessert) menu. I as soon as tried sticky toffee pudding and it was sufficient to feed a household.
A number of locations price stopping at embrace:
- Carlisle – Carlisle Cathedral Cafe – nice sandwiches and a stunning courtyard setting
- Carlisle – Penny Blue Bar & Restaurant – hip upscale eating and lounge
- Brampton – Lanercost Priory Tea Room – off-path however a worthwhile detour to see the Priory from the 1100s, glorious sandwiches and muffins
- As soon as Brewed – Twice Brewed – good beer choice and yummy pizza
- Corbridge – The Black Bull – actually good fish and chips in a basic, historic pub setting
- Port Gate – The Errington Espresso Home – espresso home/pub providing sandwiches, quiche, soup, tea, and muffins
- East Wallhouses – Robin Hood Inn – I didn’t eat right here however I did cease in for a drink and to make use of the restroom and walkers who had been leaving raved concerning the meals
- Heddon-on-Wall – Three Tuns – it is a handy pathside pub with surprisingly good nachos
- Newcastle – JD Wetherspoon Quayside – the meals wasn’t something particular however I liked the situation on the river within the Quayside district, nice for individuals watching and getting off your toes for a bit
- Whitley Bay – Trenchers – voted the very best fish and chips within the UK so I needed to test it out and it is vitally good and a surprisingly beautiful setting (with dwell piano music on Fridays)
10. Do you have to backpack on Hadrian’s Wall Path?
Many campers backpack alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path, however the majority of walkers keep in inns, B&Bs, and bunkhouses. As an alternative of backpacking, it’s doable to make use of a baggage switch service to maneuver your bag from place to position. As I discussed above, baggage transfers can be found by means of a handful of corporations together with Hadrian’s Haul and Sherpa Van Venture for £7-9 a bag with a 20 kg weight restrict.
If you prepare for this service, baggage must be downstairs and prepared for decide up by 9 am and they are going to be dropped off at your subsequent lodging by 4 or 5 pm. Even once I arrived earlier, I by no means obtained to a lodging earlier than my bag had arrived.
11. Is it laborious to observe Hadrian’s Wall Path?
Hadrian’s Wall Path is mostly nicely marked with clear signposts displaying route and marked with the white acorn image of the Nationwide Trails. That mentioned, it is very important keep alert and be aware of the overall route you take every day. It isn’t laborious to stroll previous a gate or miss a signpost that could be coated by a bigger signal.
There are a number of guidebooks obtainable with written directions and maps. Throughout my stroll I used the Hadrian’s Wall Cicerone information provided by Celtic Trails as a part of my stroll pack. I additionally beforehand had bought Hadrian’s Wall Path by Henry Stedman, and I discovered his descriptions a bit clearer to learn however I didn’t carry that one with me on the path.
It is usually really helpful to obtain or purchase printed copies of Ordnance Survey maps. In a pinch, I referred to Google Maps, however I didn’t wish to depart that working for lengthy because it drains your telephone battery so shortly. I did additionally carry a Garmin InReach GPS and a compass. I made just a few fallacious turns however solely as soon as did I actually get far off monitor and needed to loop round by highway to regain the trail.
12. Are there bathrooms alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path?
That is such an vital query and the reply is…not sufficient. Entry to bathrooms varies daily and generally it’s price planning an tour off path to have prepared entry to a bathroom (for instance, visiting Lanercost Priory or Carlisle Citadel.) Different occasions, you have to to cease right into a pub or tea room, go to the welcome heart at one of many Roman Forts, or make use of port-a-loos.
Sadly some days chances are you’ll solely run throughout one or two of those choices all through the course of a day. Past that, there are occasional clusters of woods or hedges, however not all the time a lot privateness. Many occasions I used to be standing in a area coated in poop from the cows and sheep however nowhere for me to go. Simply do not forget that for those who make use of the good outside to observe the ideas of Go away No Hint.
13. How a lot does a strolling vacation on Hadrian’s Wall Path value?
A strolling vacation on Hadrian’s Wall Path is surprisingly reasonably priced. My 8 day, 9 evening “basic” journey value £875, plus £41 per evening as a single complement. Most meals had been £10-20 every and breakfasts are included in your keep. The practice from London to Carlisle begins at round £35 and the practice from Newcastle to Edinburgh begins at about £15.
Flights to London can typically be discovered for a superb worth or there are various choices for utilizing frequent flyer factors. In fact, you may make a strolling vacation much more reasonably priced by tenting or staying in hostels or bunkhouses. There are additionally extra upscale lodging in some locations for those who want a extra luxurious journey.
14. What’s going to you see alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path?
The good thing about the Hadrian’s Wall Path above another strolling holidays is that along with seeing the gorgeous English countryside, additionally, you will get to stroll within the footsteps of historical past and go to many Roman ruins. In fact, additionally, you will spend loads of time strolling by means of fields of sheep or cows (and all they depart behind.)
I liked strolling by means of small villages and exploring a number of the cities (Carlisle and Newcastle). I used to be awed by the fantastic thing about the rolling hills of the crags. There are some stretches which might be a bit boring or tedious, notably these alongside paved paths close to cities. My least favourite a part of the stroll was from Newcastle to Wallsend (however a part of that was additionally that it was the final stretch that felt countless.)
There are additionally alternatives to take some detours to see historic sights off the trail, however I discovered early on that I solely favored making detours in direction of the top of the day as there isn’t something worse than getting again on path and realizing you may have eight extra miles to go that day.
A few of my highlights embrace:
- Carlisle Citadel
- Carlisle Cathedral
- Lanercost Priory
- Birdoswald Fort
- Walltown Quarry
- The Sill Discovery Middle
- Housesteads
- Newcastle Citadel & Cathedral
15. Is Strolling Hadrian’s Wall Path solo protected?
Since I used to be strolling Hadrian’s Wall Path by myself, many individuals requested me if I felt protected and the reply is sure. The one occasions I felt uncomfortable was once I needed to stroll previous cows and their calves. In these situations I normally took the circuitous route round. Some stretches of the stroll had been busier than others however I not often went longer than half-hour with out seeing somebody strolling within the different route or forward of me.
The panorama may be very open and I didn’t really feel uncomfortable the way in which I’d if I used to be mountain climbing within the woods by myself. And the terrain didn’t current any harmful obstacles or wildlife (exterior of the cows or the occasional horse — the sheep had been simply shooed away.)
The one different part that I didn’t really feel totally snug, and I wouldn’t wish to stroll after darkish, was from Newcastle to Wallsend. As a result of most individuals stroll east to west, I ran throughout only a few individuals alongside this stretch as that they had all left Wallsend within the morning and I used to be arriving within the afternoon. This part goes alongside the river previous some deserted warehouses alongside unappealing footpaths.
Each day is longer than you suppose.
One final level to bear in mind is that daily is longer than you suppose it will likely be. If the mileage from one cease to the subsequent is twelve miles, don’t be shocked for those who clock 13.5 after you make some detours, excursions, and doable fallacious turns.
I do know you most likely even have some questions on what to put on and what to pack in your daybag, however I’m going to work on a packing checklist put up quickly!
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