Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall was constructed by Emperor Hadrian (did you realise he was an Emperor?) whose mission it was to extend the Roman Empire into Scotland. After numerous skirmishes and head-to-head conflicts the bewildered Roman Legions conceded defeat and built a wall instead!

Stretching from Wallsend on the east coast, right across the country to the Solway Firth, this 15-foot high wall, interspersed with fortified turrets, heavily guarded gates and numerous Roman settlements was patrolled day and night until the influence of the Roman Empire subsided and died. Not all the wall has survived but there are some spectacular sections still standing and there are plenty of museums right across this section of Britain that bring to life those dark and distant days.

South Shields to Newcastle-upon Tyne

Although little of the original wall remains at its eastern end, there are several fascinating museums that recreate life as it would have been during Roman times. The Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum at South Shields gives a rounded account of the logistics of maintaining the wall's defenses. See a reconstructed Centurion's House and find out what the soldier's did in their spare time at this fascinating museum.

Heading west visit the Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths and Museum at the aptly named Wallsend. This excavated site really brings to life the whole panoply of the Roman way of doing things. Discover how they heated their houses and where they spent their leisure time. The Great North Museum in Newcastle-upon-Tyne brings the whole story together using excavated artifacts, fabulous interactive displays and a wealth of knowledge and understanding.

Find hotels in South Shields and Newcastle-upon-Tyne to get the background story on Hadrian's Wall.

Corbridge to Haltwhistle

Forget 'Time Team', use your own imagination at the awesome Corbridge Roman Town. Stand in a Roman Granary, imagine the hustle and bustle of a Roman market and put yourself into the shoes of the soldiers that defended an Empire. With your imagination fired up, head for Chesters Roman Fort which guarded the bridge that carried the wall over the might River Tyne. If you were a Roman, would you face the enemy (the Scots) or would you give them the cold shoulder and face Rome? Find out with a visit to this fascinating Roman Fort.

As you head towards Haltwhistle the wall begins to emerge. Find long stretches as you drive towards the Housesteads Roman Fort where you can see an authentic Roman hospital among other treasures. Roman Vindolanda reveals some of the writings of the Romans and shows how the Romans integrated with their 'host' nation. See a Romano-Celtic temple and a Romano-British House. Once you arrive in Haltwhistle, it's worth visiting the Roman Army Museum which will answer all the questions you have on life at the Roman frontier.

Find hotels in Hexham & Corbridge and Haltwhistle and explore this significant part of British history.

Continuing West ...

As we head west, don't miss the last significant Roman Ruin that has survived along Hadrian's Wall at the Birdoswald Roman Fort. From Birdoswald to Bowness-on-Solway the wall was made of turf ... just grass, albeit a rather high mound of grass! The Romans were beginning to shore it up with stone when everything fell apart for them but excitingly you can still see the turf ridge. The Visitor's Centre gives you all the low-down on life at the less-strategic end of Hadrian's Wall.

Too find out more about the journey of the wall to it's bitter end, visit the Tullie House Museum in Carlisle which traces the Roman progress through Cumbria and finish up at the Senhouse Roman Museum in Maryport on the Cumbrian coast. At little to the south of the original line of Hadrian's great masterpiece, the fort here was built by Agrippa, a great friend of Hadrian.

To visit Birdoswald and the actual end of the wall at Bowness-on-Solway, find a hotel in Carlisle or stay in either Whitehaven or Cockermouth to visit museums that will help you put the final jigsaw puzzle together.