The Wall in a paragraph
Begun around AD 122 on the orders of the emperor Hadrian, the Wall marked the northern edge of Roman Britain for nearly three centuries. Today the best-preserved stretches are in Northumberland, near Housesteads, Chesters and Vindolanda, and the line is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trail is waymarked with an acorn symbol and can be walked in either direction.
The six stages
- Wallsend to Heddon-on-the-Wall (about 15 miles). Start at Segedunum fort and follow the Tyne through Newcastle.
- Heddon-on-the-Wall to Chollerford (about 15 miles). Open farmland with the first long visible stretches of Wall ditch.
- Chollerford to Steel Rigg / Once Brewed (about 12 miles). Past Chesters fort and the Housesteads fort, the most photographed section.
- Once Brewed to Gilsland (about 12 miles). Crag-top walking through Northumberland National Park and Cawfields.
- Gilsland to Carlisle (about 15 miles). Birdoswald fort and gentler country on the way to the city.
- Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway (about 15 miles). A flat finish along the Solway Firth.
Distances are approximate and vary by route choice. The hardest and most rewarding days are in the middle of the trail, and the sections close to Newcastle and Carlisle are the easiest to reach by train.
Where to base yourself
- Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead for the eastern start, with a Tyne Metro link to Wallsend.
- Hexham and the Tyne Valley for the central sections, on the Newcastle–Carlisle railway.
- Haltwhistle, Once Brewed and Housesteads for the high crags, usually smaller inns and guest houses that fill quickly in summer.
- Carlisle for the western half, with a station on the West Coast Main Line.
The AD122 bus (seasonal) runs along the Wall between Hexham and Carlisle, so many visitors base in one place and use it for day walks.
Hotels near the Wall in our guide
130 hotels in our catalogue sit within a few miles of the route. Open the catalogue with the “Near Hadrian's Wall” filter already on, or pick one from the list below.
- Duke Of Wellington Stocksfield · 5 stars
- Clifton Guest House South Shields · 4 stars
- Crown & Mitre Sure Hotel Collection by BW Carlisle · 4 stars
- Crowne Plaza Newcastle Stephenson Quarter Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- DoubleTree By Hilton International Newcastle Airpo Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Gotham Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Grey Street Hotel Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Holiday Inn Newcastle Gosforth Park Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Holiday Inn Newcastle South by IHG Boldon · 4 stars
- Holiday Inn Newcastle Jesmond Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Holiday Inn Sunderland Sunderland · 4 stars
- Hotel Du Vin Bistro Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Indigo Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Leonardo Hotel Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Leonardo Hotel Newcastle Quayside Gateshead · 4 stars
- Malmaison Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Marriott Hotel Newcastle MetroCentre Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Roomzzz Newcastle City Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Sandman Signature Hotel Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- Staybridge Suites Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
- String of Horses Inn Carlisle · 4 stars
- The County Hotel and County Aparthotel Newcastle U Tyne · 4 stars
- Village Hotel Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne · 4 stars
Hotels in Newcastle · Hotels in Carlisle · North East England
Go deeper
Our full Wall Path guide covers each stage of the trail, the six Roman forts, planning, costs, gear and frequently asked questions. Everything is gathered in Useful information.
Practical notes
- Book accommodation early for May to September; there are few beds on the central stages.
- Luggage-transfer services work with many guest houses; ask when booking.
- Weather on the crags changes quickly. Bring waterproofs and check conditions each morning.
- The Wall itself is on farmland and heritage sites; follow the Countryside Code and keep to the trail.
This page gives general information and is not an official trail guide. Check National Trails, English Heritage and the individual sites for current opening and transport information.