7.3
Wildland
1–2 hours to a multi-day walk, depending on the section chosen
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.3Built on the orders of Emperor Hadrian from AD 122, this frontier barrier crosses northern England for 73 miles. Its surviving wall, forts and other remains make the Roman frontier tangible against a landscape of rugged hills and open countryside.
Few places let a long Roman frontier and a dramatic landscape meet so directly. The Wall is not one single visitor site: choose a section, then follow the stones and remains through the terrain they were built to command.
Atmospheric · Dramatic · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapBrampton, CA8 7DD, United Kingdom
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Explore a selected stretch on foot, or plan a longer journey along the Wall. Roman forts, towns and other remains are scattered along its length; visitor information and charges differ between sites.
Things to do
Walk a section of the Wall
Explore a chosen stretch on foot. The Hadrian’s Wall Path follows the line of the Roman barrier; select a start point and check local access before setting out.
Explore a Roman fort
Visit a fort along the Wall and look at the surviving remains. Opening and admission information is site-specific, so check the individual fort before travelling.
Take in the frontier landscape
Pause to see how the Wall and its associated remains cross the northern landscape. Visit Northumberland highlights forts, temples and bath-house remains along its length.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · 1–2 hours
A short Roman frontier encounter
- 01
Choose a specific, currently accessible section or managed site before travelling; the supplied pin is not an entrance.
- 02
Walk a short section and look for surviving masonry and the relationship between the Wall and the surrounding landscape.
- 03
Check the selected site’s access, opening times and charges in advance.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of the Wall
- 01
Select one section or Roman site rather than attempting to cover the whole monument.
- 02
Walk a suitable local stretch, taking time to explore the remains and views.
- 03
If visiting a managed fort, check its own visitor information and allow time for its displays or trails where available.
Verified history
Hadrian’s Wall was built by order of Emperor Hadrian from AD 122 as a defensive frontier of the Roman Empire. The monument runs for 73 miles from coast to coast. Forts, towns and other remains are associated with the Wall; the English Heritage visitor information points visitors to individual sites including Housesteads, Corbridge, Chesters and Birdoswald.
Hidden details
The Wall is a landscape of sites, not a single attraction — The monument spans 73 miles, with forts and other remains distributed along it. Plan around a chosen section or site; opening times and prices are handled individually.
When to go
May · June · July · August · September · Earlier in the day can leave more daylight for exploring; check the opening times of any managed site.
Longer daylight in late spring and summer suits walking sections of the Wall. Weather and conditions can vary, and site opening arrangements differ.
The supplied sources do not give a site-specific forecast or conditions report. Check the local forecast and access information before walking.
The route
- distance
- The Wall extends 73 miles; individual walk lengths depend on the selected section.
- duration
- Varies by section; the full-length path is a long-distance walk.
- route shape
- Long-distance, coast-to-coast path following the Wall’s line
- start point
- Choose a specific access point; the supplied coordinate is a general map pin, not a route start or entrance.
- parking start
- Parking information varies by site. Check the selected access point; the supplied pin is not a parking location.
- shorter alternative
- Choose a short local section rather than attempting the full coast-to-coast route.
- Surviving sections of the Roman Wall
- Forts and other Roman remains
- Rugged northern landscapes
Worth pairing with
Housesteads Roman Fort
A Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall, noted by English Heritage for its remains and dramatic setting. Check its own visitor information before visiting.
Birdoswald Roman Fort
English Heritage identifies Birdoswald as a site where visitors can explore how the Wall was built and see a long surviving stretch.
Chesters Roman Fort
A fort and museum associated with the Wall; English Heritage highlights its well-preserved bath house. Check site-specific opening and admission details.
What to look for
Look for surviving stretches of stone wall, and compare them with the forts, milecastles and turrets described in the visitor information. At the forts, look for the remains of Roman buildings and the way the frontier sits within the surrounding landscape.
The story
Roman
Best time to go
Late spring to early autumn for longer daylight and walking; conditions can change quickly in any season.
Late spring to early autumn offers longer daylight for walking. Check the forecast and local site information before travelling, as conditions and access vary along the route.
How long to spend
1–2 hours to a multi-day walk, depending on the section chosen
Perfect for
Walkers · History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Hadrian’s Wall is a 73-mile monument with multiple sites and access points. Access, opening times and charges vary by site; check the relevant site before travelling. The supplied map pin is a general location, not an entrance or parking point. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
Parking varies by site. English Heritage directs visitors to individual site information; check the chosen location before setting out.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting; facilities vary by site.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting; food options vary by site.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting; rules vary by site and section.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Accessibility varies across the many sites and sections. The source listing reports wheelchair-accessible parking and an entrance, but does not identify which access point; confirm details with the specific site.
Cost
Paid at some managed sites; charges vary. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Hadrian’s Wall
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
