Day 01
Hadrian's Wall Overview from Naworth to Steel Rigg
- Begin with a brief stop at Naworth Castle to outline its history and development from a Pele tower, its associations with Hadrian's Wall, and the impact of Border 'reiving' on the local area.
- Continue to Lanercost Priory, built almost entirely from stones taken from Hadrian's Wall.
- Visit Banks Turret for your first view of Hadrian's Wall, its military fortifications, and an introduction to how it all operated.
- Explore Birdoswald Roman Fort, partially excavated, with the remains of granaries, a drill hall, gateways, and fort walls all still in evidence.
- There is an optional 1-mile walk along an almost continuous section of the original Hadrianic wall, passing a milecastle, two turrets, a Roman bridge, and two unusual symbols built into the Wall.
- Head to Carvoran Roman Army Museum to watch the award-winning "Edge of Empire" film, a visual reconstruction showing how the Wall and its fortifications operated.
- Enjoy a scenic walk along Walltown Crags, where Hadrian's Wall follows the craggy escarpment ridge of the Whin Sill (1/2 mile). This is one of the best places to see the original Hadrianic wall and to experience the impact Hadrian's Wall must have made on the landscape.
- At Cawfields, see a particularly fine example of a milecastle and enjoy one of the best views of the mysterious vallum.
- Finish at Steel Rigg to admire one of the classic views overlooking Hadrian's Wall.
- If time permits, we may also visit Housesteads Fort or Vindolanda.
