UK walking holidays, hiking vacations, archaeology tours Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland, Haltwhistle England

UK walking holidays, hiking vacations, archaeology tours Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland, Haltwhistle England Hadrian's Wall & Eden Holidays
by Curlew Guided Walking
The Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of the Wall in 122 AD. Our holidays explore the finest central stretch where Hadrian's Wall and the Roman archaeology is at its most spectacular. Despite the centuries it remains an impressive reminder of the might of Rome. The area is part of Northumberland National Park as well as a World Heritage site.

Milecastle 37 gateway (picture courtesy of Donna Angel, August 2006)

Following the Wall along the undulations of the Whin Sill ridge milecastles and turrets appear in regular succession. Great crags plunge into the reed-fringed lake of Crag Lough where swans glide over the dark waters before we reach Housesteads, the best preserved fort on the Wall. Barcombe Hill gives us aerial views of Vindolanda where the museum displays artifacts found at the fort including letters written by the inhabitants nearly 2,000 years ago.
Another day takes us over Winshields Crag, the highest point on Hadrian's Wall, to the fort at Aesica where the vault of the headquarters building and an altar are still visible within its classic playing card shape. The switchback crest of Walltown Crags leads to the Roman Army Museum and Greenhead village. Here we find the stark ruin of Thirlwall Castle built from plundered Wall stones in the 14th century when Border 'Reivers' raided for cattle and revenge. As the Wall reaches Cumbria the landscape softens to meadows and woods, home to deer and red squirrels. Several shorter walks here include delightful sections of river, mineral springs and the deep Irthing Gorge with its cascades and towering trees. Well preserved sections of the Wall take us to Birdoswald Fort and old quarries still bearing Roman names and graffiti. Our day ends at Lanercost Priory, once fought over by the Scots and English but now a romantic ruin in a peaceful glen.

Prehistoric stones On Wednesday we travel to Kirkby Stephen and the Eden Valley home to more reminders of the distant past. These range from standing stones and ancient settlements to mediaeval castles and elegant Victorian viaducts. We can walk over quiet uplands to the Smardale valley and the intriguing earthworks of the Giants’ Graves. Other walks could include Asby Scar for its strange limestone scenery, Mallerstang (two castle ruins!) or a day on the higher hills if desired.
"A Week At The Wall" For groups with an interest in further exploring the history and archaeology of the area we now offer full weeks at Hadrian's Wall. These will include visits to Roman sites and museums as well as walking along the best sections of the Wall and can be tailored to suit. Please contact us for more details.
"We all just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our holiday with you. We all appreciated your knowledge and preparation for each day's walk and paticularly the extra archaeology you showed us each day." H. Owen, Hampshire UK (group leader, August 2007).
Accommodation:the small market town of Haltwhistle nestles in the beautiful South Tyne Valley immediately south of Hadrian's Wall and at the foot of the North Pennines. There are pleasant waterside walks and many Roman sites close at hand. The elegant former vicarage of Ashcroft Guest House (Gold Award) and the Victorian stone house of Hall Meadows are both set in their own attractive gardens. A warm welcome is also assured at the Grey Bull Hotel, a former pub but now completely refurbished as a comfortable guest house. All three venues are rated at VB 4 Stars.

Milecastle 42 The Jolly Farmers, Manor House and Lockholme guest houses at Kirkby Stephen are some of our Eden venues.
Cost (week): £415 to £475 per person based on sharing a twin or double room.
2 days/nights: £150 to £172
3 days/nights: £218 to £253
Single rooms are available without supplement.
Station (arrive): Haltwhistle then a short walk.
Station (depart): Kirkby Stephen- a short taxi ride from the guest houses.
Links to coach and rail sites can be found on our Links Page.
Dates: May 17th, June 28th, August 2nd and September 6th.
To see more of what is included in all of our holidays please see our Home Page.

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	Hadrian's Wall & Eden Holidays by Curlew Guided Walking The Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of the Wall in 122 AD. Our holidays explore the finest central stretch where Hadrian's Wall and the Roman archaeology is at its most spectacular. Despite the centuries it remains an impressive reminder of the might of Rome. The area is part of Northumberland National Park as well as a World Heritage site.
Milecastle 37 gateway (picture courtesy of Donna Angel, August 2006)
Following the Wall along the undulations of the Whin Sill ridge milecastles and turrets appear in regular succession. Great crags plunge into the reed-fringed lake of Crag Lough where swans glide over the dark waters before we reach Housesteads, the best preserved fort on the Wall. Barcombe Hill gives us aerial views of Vindolanda where the museum displays artifacts found at the fort including letters written by the inhabitants nearly 2,000 years ago. Another day takes us over Winshields Crag, the highest point on Hadrian's Wall, to the fort at Aesica where the vault of the headquarters building and an altar are still visible within its classic playing card shape. The switchback crest of Walltown Crags leads to the Roman Army Museum and Greenhead village. Here we find the stark ruin of Thirlwall Castle built from plundered Wall stones in the 14th century when Border 'Reivers' raided for cattle and revenge. As the Wall reaches Cumbria the landscape softens to meadows and woods, home to deer and red squirrels. Several shorter walks here include delightful sections of river, mineral springs and the deep Irthing Gorge with its cascades and towering trees. Well preserved sections of the Wall take us to Birdoswald Fort and old quarries still bearing Roman names and graffiti. Our day ends at Lanercost Priory, once fought over by the Scots and English but now a romantic ruin in a peaceful glen.
On Wednesday we travel to Kirkby Stephen and the Eden Valley home to more reminders of the distant past. These range from standing stones and ancient settlements to mediaeval castles and elegant Victorian viaducts. We can walk over quiet uplands to the Smardale valley and the intriguing earthworks of the Giants’ Graves. Other walks could include Asby Scar for its strange limestone scenery, Mallerstang (two castle ruins!) or a day on the higher hills if desired. "A Week At The Wall" For groups with an interest in further exploring the history and archaeology of the area we now offer full weeks at Hadrian's Wall. These will include visits to Roman sites and museums as well as walking along the best sections of the Wall and can be tailored to suit. Please contact us for more details. "We all just wanted to say how much we enjoyed our holiday with you. We all appreciated your knowledge and preparation for each day's walk and paticularly the extra archaeology you showed us each day." H. Owen, Hampshire UK (group leader, August 2007). Accommodation:the small market town of Haltwhistle nestles in the beautiful South Tyne Valley immediately south of Hadrian's Wall and at the foot of the North Pennines. There are pleasant waterside walks and many Roman sites close at hand. The elegant former vicarage of Ashcroft Guest House (Gold Award) and the Victorian stone house of Hall Meadows are both set in their own attractive gardens. A warm welcome is also assured at the Grey Bull Hotel, a former pub but now completely refurbished as a comfortable guest house. All three venues are rated at VB 4 Stars.