Hadrian's Wall

Virtually everyone has heard of Hadrian's Wall. A World Heritage Site, it spans nearly 2000 years of history and is the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain.

Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of the wall soon after he arrived to Britain in AD 122, reputedly "to separate the Romans from the Barbarians". The wall is 80 roman miles long (73 modern miles) and some 15 feet high, east to west from Wallsend to Bowness. By the early 400s, the Empire had declined and the wall and Britain itself abandoned by the Romans. Stones were re-used in local buildings and to build field walls; however, much of the wall and its various forts, milecastles, temples and turrets remain to give a good glimpse of the past.

After a brief visit to the Visitors Centre (intrigingly called Once Brewed) we decided to centre our exploration on Housesteads Roman Fort. Housesteads is the most complete Roman fort in Britain and commands stunning views over the Northumberland National Park. It once housed a regiment of around 1000 men as well as a thriving civil community. The site is large and contains well-preserved ruins of granaries, barracks, hospital and even latrines.

Date of Our Last Visit: July 2002