Walltown Quarry, Greenhead, Brampton, Northumberland CA8 7HF
Walltown Crags and Country Park
Roman
Place photograph
7.8
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Paid
Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.8At Walltown, Hadrian’s Wall follows the jagged Whin Sill, using and negotiating natural volcanic rock. The unusually well-preserved stretch includes Walltown turret, first built as a freestanding tower.
This is more than a place to view a Roman wall: the Whin Sill makes the landscape part of the story, as the Wall snakes across exposed crags. The combination of dramatic terrain, visible Roman remains and circular walking routes makes Walltown a particularly rewarding stop on Hadrian’s Wall.
Dramatic · Wild · Big-sky
Find your way
Open mapWalltown Quarry, Greenhead, Brampton, Northumberland CA8 7HF
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The experience
Choose a circular walk from Walltown Country Park, then follow the Wall across the crags to see how Roman builders dealt with the exposed volcanic outcrops. Allow around one to two hours for the visit; routes vary, so choose one on arrival and take care on uneven, exposed ground.
Things to do
Walk a circular route at Walltown
Choose from the picturesque circular walks in the area and make the crags the focus of your visit. The supplied sources do not specify a particular circuit or its distance.
Around 1–2 hours
Follow Hadrian’s Wall across the Whin Sill
See how the Wall snakes through the volcanic rock landscape, at one of the finest places to view this exceptionally well-preserved section.
Look for Walltown turret
At one end of the Walltown Crags site, find the turret, which was unusually first built as a freestanding tower.
Pause for a picnic with a view
Visit Northumberland identifies picnic spots among the area’s beauty spots; choose a suitable place without approaching steep or unstable edges.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Around 1–2 hours
Quick Escape — Walltown Crags
- 01
Start at Walltown Visitor Centre or the nearby Northumberland National Park car park; check current parking arrangements.
- 02
Choose one of the circular routes available in the area.
- 03
Walk to the crags and follow the visible line of Hadrian’s Wall, noticing how it meets the Whin Sill.
- 04
Look for Walltown turret and return by your chosen route.
Half day · Half day
Make a Half Day of It — Walltown and Haltwhistle
- 01
Walk a circular route at Walltown Crags, choosing the route on arrival.
- 02
Pause at a suitable spot for a picnic and take in the views.
- 03
Continue to Haltwhistle for coffee and cake, as suggested by Visit Northumberland.
Full Wildland day · Full day
A Roman Frontier Day — Walltown, Birdoswald and Housesteads
- 01
Begin at Walltown Crags and walk the section of Hadrian’s Wall across the Whin Sill.
- 02
Continue the Roman-history day with a visit to Birdoswald Roman Fort or Housesteads Roman Fort; check each site's current opening and access details before travelling.
- 03
If visiting Birdoswald, English Heritage notes that it has a tearoom serving local produce.
Verified history
Hadrian’s Wall at Walltown is especially well preserved and crosses the crags of the Whin Sill. English Heritage notes that the Roman builders sometimes incorporated the natural rock into the Wall and sometimes built close against it. Walltown turret stands at one end of the site and was unusually first built as a freestanding tower.
Hidden details
The Wall’s meeting with the Whin Sill — Look closely at the line of the Wall and its relationship to the natural rock: Roman builders sometimes incorporated the outcrops and sometimes brought the Wall almost up against them.
The freestanding turret — Walltown turret was first built as a freestanding tower, an unusual detail to look for at the end of the site.
When to go
· Daylight; choose a clear spell for views and check the forecast because the crags are exposed.
The supplied sources do not establish a particular best month or seasonal wildlife feature. Clear weather improves the opportunity to appreciate the landscape; the site has no shelter.
The site is very exposed with no shelter. English Heritage notes steep slopes, uneven surfaces and sheer drops; check conditions and take care.
The route
- surface
- Uneven turf on the approach; other surfaces not specified.
- duration
- Around 1–2 hours for a visit; route duration varies
- difficulty
- Not specified; the approach to the crags includes a small climb over uneven turf, with steep slopes and exposed drops.
- route shape
- Circular routes are available; choose a route on arrival.
- start point
- Walltown Visitor Centre or the nearby Northumberland National Park car park; choose the route on arrival.
- parking start
- Northumberland National Park car park nearby; charges apply. Check current arrangements.
- Hadrian’s Wall crossing the Whin Sill
- Walltown turret
- Views over exposed crags and surrounding countryside
Worth pairing with
Haltwhistle
Visit Northumberland suggests Haltwhistle for coffee and cake after a Walltown walk; the town is also described as having river and valley views.
Birdoswald Roman Fort
A sourced extension to a Hadrian’s Wall day. English Heritage notes a tearoom serving local produce; check current opening details before travelling.
Housesteads Roman Fort
A further Roman frontier stop identified by English Heritage as lying between Walltown and Birdoswald; check current opening and access details.
What to look for
Notice where Hadrian’s Wall incorporates or runs close to natural rock on the Whin Sill. At one end of the site, look for Walltown turret, unusually first built as a freestanding tower.
The story
Roman frontier archaeology; Hadrian’s Wall and Walltown turret.
Best time to go
Daylight visits in clear, settled weather suit the exposed crags; check conditions before setting out.
Choose a clear daylight period for views along the crags. The site is exposed and has no shelter, so check the forecast before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · History lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-5pm
- Tuesday: 10am-5pm
- Wednesday: 10am-5pm
- Thursday: 10am-5pm
- Friday: 10am-5pm
- Saturday: 10am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am-5pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Walltown Country Park is presented as a visitor destination with paths and circular walks. Hadrian’s Wall and Walltown turret are reached from the Northumberland National Park car park; the approach includes a small climb over uneven turf. Check current access and parking arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
Northumberland National Park car park nearby; charges apply at the Walltown Crags access point. Check current arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
The source row identifies a wheelchair-accessible toilet at the visitor centre. Check current availability before visiting.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
A small kiosk selling refreshments is described by the supplied visitor-centre source. Check current service and opening arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The visitor-centre source row identifies a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance and toilet. The route from the National Park car park to Walltown Crags includes a small climb over uneven turf; the site is exposed, with steep slopes and a sheer drop in places. Check route suitability before setting out.
Check before visiting
Cost
Paid
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Walltown Crags and Country Park
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
