Hadrian's Wall - Questions and Answers
Here are some of the questions which we are asked by our visitors to the Roman Wall.
1. Which is the best part of the Wall to visit? Well the most popular section is probably between Chesters and Greenhead.
This covers the most dramatic part of the Wall with the Whin Sill providing cliffs, great views and plenty of atmosphere. Here you will also find Vindolanda and Housesteads. Between Greenhead and west to Lanercost there is gentler hill country but you can still get good views, especially around Birdoswald.
2.
What else is there to see beside the Wall? There is plenty indeed. The towns along the Tyne Valley and especially Corbridge and Hexham are very popular. You can then drive into the Allendale valley which comes down from the Pennines and explore this area which is rich with mining history. The South Tyne trail follows the bed of an old railway line between Haltwhistle and Alston. It is now very popular as a cycle ride. The valley of the North Tyne can provide a lovely day out with villages such as Wark and Bellingham offering good food and hospitality. Whilst you are up there it is well worth the short detour to Tarset to see the well preserved Bastle house at Black Middens.
3. What was "Illuminating Hadrian's Wall" about
? This was a one off special where local tourism bodies organised one evening when lighted torches would follow the line of the wall from coast to coast. You can read a little about it on our Northumberland Cottage Blog. The official website is here.
4. What is the story behind the Robin Hood tree? When Kevin Costner featured in the film about Robin Hood there was one scene where he rescued a young boy who had hidden in a tree. The scene was shot at Sycamour gap which is between Steelrig and Housesteads. See photo above. It is now one of the most popular photographic locations. There were also scenes shot at Alnwick castle and Carcassonne in the south of France.
5. What is the best way to get around the Wall? Walking is the only real way to fully experience this lovely countryside. Having a car to reach the locations is pretty much essential but there are a couple of alternatives which people sometimes consider. There is the 122 Hadrian's Wall bus which specifically links the various sites. Also there are taxi companies in Hexham and Haltwhistle who can offer transport as well as plenty of advice on the Wall.
