I just lately returned from an eight-day, nine-night journey strolling Hadrian’s Wall Path in Northern England. This 84-mile National Trail follows the stays of Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an historical Roman wall constructed to guard the Empire’s lands in Britannia from the Caledonians to the north again in 122 AD.
The concept of taking a strolling journey has been a bug in my mind ever since I first examine strolling holidays within the United Kingdom a couple of years again. To me, this appeared like the proper solution 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 happening simply after dropping off my daughter at school in August as a solution 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 little thing wanted for a dorm room bought and delivered. Yes, I had been upping my strolling mileage in current weeks, however probably not “training” 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 achieved some analysis and skim some guidebooks, I nonetheless couldn’t wrap my head round what it might actually be prefer to stroll lengthy distances each day, alone, and not using a information. Would I be bored? (Not actually) Would I get misplaced? (A few instances) Would I be capable of do it? (Yes but it surely was onerous) And most of all, would I get pleasure from it? (one hundred pc!)
Things to Know Before Walking Hadrian’s Wall Path
If you’re contemplating taking a strolling vacation alongside the Hadrian’s Wall Path in England, right here are some things it is best to know as you’re planning your journey. If you need to see extra particulars about my 8 day stroll, examine my full journey alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path.
1. Where 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 path, which is 84 miles lengthy, follows the road of Hadrian’s Wall, many instances alongside the wall’s historical stays.
The path winds its manner by pastures and fields, alongside nation roads, by villages, traversing the cliff edges of the crags, and on paved paths and streets. Along the way in which, you’ll encounter historic sights together with castles, cathedrals, the stays of historical Roman forts and sign towers, and bustling cities comparable to Carlisle and Newcastle.
2. Which is the very best path to stroll Hadrian’s Wall Path?
If you’ve got researched Hadrian’s Wall Path you will have seen 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 undoubtedly seen on my stroll there have been many extra individuals strolling west than strolling east.
There are execs and cons to every, however general I’m very completely happy that I selected to stroll from west to east, starting in Bowness-on-Solway and ending in Wallsend. Here is why:
- Starting in Bowness-on-Solway you begin in a scenic village and spend the primary day strolling by the countryside and small villages. It begins you off with a style of the English countryside, which, particularly if you’re 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, providing you with the wind at your again somewhat than in your face. I lucked out with just one small rain bathe however ought to the climate have turned, I’d a lot favor the rain blowing towards my again than in my face.
- The starting 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. Even although strolling west to east on the final day is a bit brutal on the ft due to the pavement, ending at Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum no less than means there can be somebody there to greet you as you end your journey (assuming you end throughout hours when the customer middle is open) to congratulate you. There can also be 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 possibly can take a day or half of a day in Carlisle earlier than beginning if you’re flying in from abroad and see among the historic sights, as a substitute of creating an extended detour in your stroll. And, on the finish of your stroll, you possibly can 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 specific practice trip 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 are feeling snug with. I did an eight-day, nine-night journey with strolling distances of eight to 13 miles per day. During my journey, nearly all 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. I even met somebody strolling the whole 84 miles in 36 hours for charity.
When planning, I encourage you to be sensible about your skills 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. Just as a result of you possibly can stroll 15 miles doesn’t imply your physique is able to do it each day in a row for per week.
There isn’t actually a proper reply as to how lengthy it ought to take. There is simply the suitable reply for you.
4. What is the very best time to stroll Hadrian’s Wall Path?
Hiking 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 path is fragile from October by April and hikers are requested to keep away from the trail right now. Summer is the busiest time to stroll, particularly on the middle part of the trail on the weekends and holidays, as these are significantly common with day hikers. Ideally, it is best to plan to stroll from Walton to Heddon-on-Wall in the course of the week.
Keep in thoughts that Northern England will be wet, so count on to have no less than one or two wet days throughout your stroll. In the spring, you’ll take pleasure in seeing loads of wildflowers and lambs, however it might even be a bit rainier and you might want to look at the tide schedule close to Bowness-on-Solway to keep away from flooding.
Early September can be a bit quieter and the climate is usually 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 someday of sunshine rain showers. Keep in thoughts that if you’re strolling in the summertime, it is best 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?
If you’re beginning within the west, which is what I’d advocate, you possibly can take a practice from London Euston Station or Glasgow to Carlisle on the Avanti West Coast Railway. There can also be an choice to take a long-distance bus on National Express 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 take into account that these don’t run to Bowness on the weekends.
If you like to begin within the east, you possibly can take a practice to Newcastle from Edinburgh or London Kings Cross on the LNER (London North Eastern 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?
Booking a strolling vacation is pretty easy if in case you have a superb guidebook to assist establish lodging alongside the route. However, I discovered it a lot simpler to outsource the seek for obtainable lodging and baggage transfers by reserving by a strolling vacation firm.
Walking vacation firms will organize transfers, e book lodging, care for baggage transfers, and give you an itinerary and guidebook/map for a self-guided journey. There are dozens of firms focusing on strolling journeys and supply this service, some particularly for Hadrian’s Wall Path, and others that provide choices in a number of international locations. I determine to e book by Celtic Trails as a result of they supplied the itinerary choice that I used to be most all for (8 days, 9 nights) and within the west-to-east path that I most popular.
If you like a gaggle journey or a guided strolling tour, there are a couple of choices obtainable together with Hadrian’s Wall Ltd, HF Holidays, and Shepherds Walks Holidays. If you determine you need to camp or e book your individual lodging, you possibly can nonetheless organize for bags transfers by a handful of firms together with Hadrian’s Haul and Sherpa Van Project for £7-9 a bag (20 kg weight restrict.)
7. Where do you keep alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path?
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If you’re on a decent finances, there are campsites, bunkhouses, and hostels alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path. Wild tenting will not be allowed, though I did meet one one that was wild tenting, nonetheless he did say somebody got here out to see what he was doing of their area within the morning.
If you’re like me and like a bit extra privateness and luxury, there are also mattress and breakfasts, inns, pubs, and even a few luxurious accommodations. If you’re searching for a relaxation day in the midst of the journey, I walked previous Walwick Hall boutique resort close to Chester’s Fort and it regarded beautiful!
Most inns and mattress and breakfasts embrace a hearty English breakfast and plenty of supply packed lunches for an extra charge. If they aren’t conveniently positioned inside strolling distance to a city, most may even supply dinner or have a full restaurant/pub.
Keep in thoughts that if you’re touring by yourself and desire a non-public room, you’ll probably have to pay a bit additional for a single complement. However, I really discovered room charges to be fairly reasonably priced, even with a single complement, particularly when in comparison with massive cities like London or Edinburgh.
Also take into account that many inns and mattress and breakfasts in Northern England should not have air con, as it’s usually hardly ever wanted. But given the current warmth waves in Europe in late June/early July, that’s one thing to remember when reserving your journey.
This 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’d 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 Hotel: a beautiful property dwelling on a farm with welcoming hosts, additionally affords 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 difficult to beat.
- Hexham/Once Brewed: The Twice Brewed Inn: positioned above a craft brewery and pub, this has a enjoyable vibe and one among my favourite facilities — a tub! Trust me once I say that after strolling the crags a shower will really feel so good. They supplied an enormous breakfast and good meals within the restaurant for dinner.
- Simonburn: Simonburn Tea Rooms & Bed and Breakfast: such a beautiful mattress and breakfast within the countryside, you’ll need them to choose you up and drop you off on the path however the hospitality is terrific, as are the do-it-yourself dinner choices. If you arrive early you possibly can get pleasure from tea or a glass of wine within the stunning backyard.
- Corbridge: Fellcroft Bed & Breakfast: very gracious host, this B&B is extra like a house than an inn. Walkable to eating places on the town. You might want to get a switch to/from the trail. I form 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 Wear: The Keelman’s Lodge: this restaurant/brewery has a separate constructing for lodging however with out a lot appeal or many facilities. It is a good location and the meals gained’t depart you hungry.
- Whitley Bay: The Metropolitan: as a substitute of staying in Newcastle, I continued on to the coast (through Metro from Wallsend) and stayed in Whitley Bay, only a few minutes stroll to the seaside on the North Sea. This fashionable B&B was essentially the most fashionable 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 might want to be to stroll Hadrian’s Wall Path?
You will see walkers of all ages alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path. You don’t should be an skilled hiker, however you do should be in first rate form. The stroll general is rated straightforward to reasonable. Much of it’s flat however the middle portion of the stroll alongside the crags is a collection of undulating hills. During these days my health monitoring app stated that I climbed the equal of 120-130 flooring every day.
Celtic Trails prompt that I stroll 4 to seven miles a day for 4 days per week within the weeks main as much as my stroll. In addition, it is strongly recommended to do no less than one stroll so long as your longest stroll day. I wasn’t fairly ready to do that, however I used to be constantly strolling three to 6 miles a day for a couple of days per week within the couple of months prior, and did one nine-mile stroll.
However, the error that I made was not doing these observe walks with a day pack. While my ft and legs damage, my again and core damage 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?
While there are some cafes, tea rooms, and pubs on, or simply off, Hadrian’s Wall Path, it is very important plan forward. There are a couple of stretches with none handy eating choices on path, outdoors of espresso or snacks at a customer middle. If you don’t need to add any additional mileage to your stroll, it might be finest to convey alongside a packed lunch on today. 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 comparable to crisps or easy rolls or sandwiches. I like to recommend all the time carrying some snacks comparable to power bars, salty snacks, and hydration tablets. You may even run throughout some honor snack cupboards/sheds that promote snacks and drinks for about £1 every, so you should definitely 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.
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 even present dinner or are inside strolling distance of eating places.
Since that is the English countryside, you possibly can count on to see a variety of conventional dishes comparable to 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. Be positive to avoid wasting room for the “pudding” (aka dessert) menu. I as soon as tried sticky toffee pudding and it was sufficient to feed a household.
Just a few locations value stopping at embrace:
- Carlisle – Carlisle Cathedral Cafe – nice sandwiches and a beautiful 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
- Once 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 Coffee House – 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 ft 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 rather good and a surprisingly beautiful setting (with stay piano music on Fridays)
10. Do you might want 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. Instead of backpacking, it’s potential to make use of a baggage switch service to maneuver your bag from place to put. As I discussed above, baggage transfers can be found by a handful of firms together with Hadrian’s Haul and Sherpa Van Project for £7-9 a bag with a 20 kg weight restrict.
When you organize for this service, baggage should 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 acquired to a lodging earlier than my bag had arrived.
11. Is it onerous to comply with Hadrian’s Wall Path?
Hadrian’s Wall Path is usually effectively marked with clear signposts displaying path and marked with the white acorn image of the National Trails. That stated, it is very important keep alert and be accustomed to the final route you take every day. It isn’t onerous 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. During my stroll I used the Hadrian’s Wall Cicerone information equipped 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 can also be beneficial to obtain or purchase printed copies of Ordnance Survey maps. In a pinch, I referred to Google Maps, however I didn’t need to depart that working for lengthy because it drains your cellphone battery so rapidly. I did additionally carry a Garmin InAttain GPS and a compass. I made a couple of incorrect turns however solely as soon as did I actually get far off monitor and needed to loop round by street to regain the trail.
12. Are there bogs alongside Hadrian’s Wall Path?
This is such an essential query and the reply is…not sufficient. Access to bogs varies daily and typically it’s value planning an tour off path to have prepared entry to a bathroom (for instance, visiting Lanercost Priory or Carlisle Castle.) Other instances, you’ll need to cease right into a pub or tea room, go to the welcome middle at one of many Roman Forts, or make use of port-a-loos.
Sadly some days you might solely run throughout one or two of those choices all through the course of a day. Beyond that, there are occasional clusters of woods or hedges, however not all the time a lot privateness. Many instances I used to be standing in a area coated in poop from the cows and sheep however nowhere for me to go. Just do not forget that for those who make use of the good outdoor to comply with the ideas of Leave No Trace.
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 night time “classic” journey value £875, plus £41 per night time 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 usually be discovered for a superb worth or there are numerous choices for utilizing frequent flyer factors. Of course, 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 favor a extra luxurious journey.
14. What will 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 attractive English countryside, additionally, you will get to stroll within the footsteps of historical past and go to many Roman ruins. Of course, additionally, you will spend quite a lot of time strolling by fields of sheep or cows (and all they depart behind.)
I liked strolling by small villages and exploring among 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, significantly 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 infinite.)
There are additionally alternatives to take some detours to see historic sights off the trail, however I realized early on that I solely favored making detours in the direction of the top of the day as there isn’t something worse than getting again on path and realizing you’ve got eight extra miles to go that day.
Some of my highlights embrace:
- Carlisle Castle
- Carlisle Cathedral
- Lanercost Priory
- Birdoswald Fort
- Walltown Quarry
- The Sill Discovery Center
- Housesteads
- Newcastle Castle & Cathedral
15. Is Walking Hadrian’s Wall Path solo secure?
Since I used to be strolling Hadrian’s Wall Path alone, many individuals requested me if I felt secure and the reply is sure. The solely instances 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 hardly ever went longer than half-hour with out seeing somebody strolling within the different path 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 climbing within the woods alone. And the terrain didn’t current any harmful obstacles or wildlife (outdoors of the cows or the occasional horse — the sheep had been simply shooed away.)
The solely different part that I didn’t really feel fully snug, and I wouldn’t need to stroll after darkish, was from Newcastle to Wallsend. Because most individuals stroll east to west, I ran throughout only a few individuals alongside this stretch as they’d 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.
Every day is longer than you assume.
One final level to remember is that each day is longer than you assume will probably be. If the mileage from one cease to the subsequent is twelve miles, don’t be stunned for those who clock 13.5 after you make some detours, excursions, and potential incorrect 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 record publish quickly!
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