Travel to Newcastle and then onto Whitley Bay. Stretch your legs and take the time to visit St Mary's Island, Lighthouse and Visitor Centre where you will experience spectaluar coastal views. Accommodation: The Metropolitan is a contemporary styled 4* B&B.

Meals:  Nil

Today you take the 15 minute train from Whitley Bay to Wallsend and the start of the walk. If you have time before setting off take a close look at the remains of the Roman fort of Segedunum which marks the beginning of the route today. This is a multi award-winning site, with reconstructions of a Roman Bath House and an excellent interactive museum. By the Swan Hunter Ship Yard, the trail heads out following the walls of the ancient Roman fort of Segedunum. Take the old Tyne to Blyth railway line, now a footpath through to Walker where you join the River Tyne at the Riverside Park and pass Byker. You come into the riverside area of downtown Newcastle upon Tyne with vistas of the elegant Tyne Bridges and of the Newcastle skyline including St. Nicholas Cathedral. There should be time to climb up to Newcastle Keep. Walk out of the city alongside the river. There is plenty of evidence of present and former industrial activity. As you get to the old village of Newburn, the countryside really begins to open up. You are now in the county of Northumberland. Just before you would climb the trail to for Heddon on the Wall, on the trail, w you turn off for Wylam passing the birthplace of George Stephenson and our overnight stop at the end of this flattish day. Accommodation: Overnight in a nice Victorian country house which has been noted by English heritage in Wylam or in Heddon on the Wall

Meals:  B

Returning from Wylam You have your first steep ascent up to Heddon on the Wall, where there are some wall remains. To beyond Chollerford now, the National Trail follows beside the roads and in the fields that have been built over part of the wall. The wall itself became a source of material for the foundations of General Wade’s military road in the 1740s, the trail often follows along the Vallum, the ancient ditch line created as a defensive feature when the wall was built. Look out for remains of Vindobala fort and the reservoirs around Welton. There is a pub at East Wallhouses after about 6 miles and a cafe further along. Passing Halton with its old keep, and then reaching Heaven Field, site of a large battle in the 7th Century between the Christian Saxons under King Oswald and the heathen hordes. You then start to descend into the Tyne Valley, passing the Brunton Turrets before crossing a beautiful bridge from 1785, into Chollerford. Accommodation: The George Hotel is situated close to Hadrian’s Wall route and the Tyne. This cosy pub is an ideal spot for walkers to relax.

Meals:  B

The route follows beside the road as far as Fozy Moss, where the road veers off the wall as it reaches the crags of the Whin Sill Escarpment, and Limestone Corner, where the romans gave up cutting the rock in the ditch as it was too hard! You then pass Brocolita fort with its Mithric Temple unearthed in 1949. This stage then roller coasters to Housesteads, with its famed fort and small museum. There are excellent views over the “Northward Tynescape” to the Bellingham and Simonside Hills. You now follow arguably the most scenic section of the trip; over Highshield Crags and then down and up via Peel Crags to Steel Rigg. From here you can walk out to Once Brewed. Accommodation: Twice Brewed Inn is situated a stones throw from the Wall. *Take the option to visit their purpose-built planetarium with a 360 degree immersive dome and join an experienced astronomer who will bring the universe to life in their Stargazing Experience. Head outdoors to gaze at the stars through telescopes and contemplate life beyond earth. This experience is not included, prices vary. Please ask our team for details, but note this starts quite late and many people find it goes on too long.

Meals:  B

The wall climbs to its highest point over Windshields Crags, before descending to the delightfully named Bogle Hole. Then down steps through Thorny Doors and up Cawfields Crags with excellent views onto the Pennines. The way passes by Great Chesters and Magnis (Roman forts), passing Greenhead, the ruin of medieval Thirlwall castle and in another mile or so crosses the Cumbria / Northumberland border on the River Irthing at Gilsand. There are interesting Roman defences to visit at Birdoswald, and eventually after a trek to Banks. Banks overlooks the Irthing Valley and Lanercost priory below. From here there are few signs of Hadrian's Wall remaining so enjoy the last significant portion maintained by English Heritage at Hare Hill. The path starts to slowly descend to Garthside. There are interesting views over the Irthing Valley as the walk heads into Walton. This is easy walking along the edge of fields and beside some old established hardwood trees. On approaching Walton the way drops into the valley below crossing King Water. A short section of road takes the walk into the village of Walton, a small village with an interesting church in the centre beside the village green. If we cannot get you booked into Walton then you will be staying in Brampton which is approx 3 miles off the route. In this case you will transferred from either Walton or if you like Banks 3 miles earlier depending upon your preogress Accommodation: B&B or Farmhouse.

Meals:  B

The route continues undulating across country. After crossing the very attractive Cam beck, you briefly join the road at Newtown Village near the green before skipping across the fields. Here you are following the wall line via Old Wall, Blea head and Wall head farms, before detouring from the line of the wall on a little “sandy lane” that takes you down to The Stanegate, the old Roman road that leads into Crosby on Eden and the River Eden. Now you will be riverside walking for about a mile. At Linstock there is a medieval ‘pele’, Peel Tower that rang in times of danger so that the locals could congregate within its fortifications. Next you come to Rickerby which has, in contrast, a Victorian folly tower. Finally cross the River Eden, meander towards Stanwix, then up into Carlisle - a very interesting historical city, with a castle started by Henry I, extensive wall and other Roman remains and then there is the cathedral. The town has changed hands several times between Scotland and England and this is reflected in parts of the town’s structure. Carlisle is quite a bit smaller than Newcastle. A lot of the buildings such as the castle and the Old Town Hall are made of fine red sandstone. Visit the Tullie House Museum for a fine collection of Roman remains if you have time. The inner city has been pedestrianised making exploration enjoyable around the market square. Accommodation: We stay at Crown and Mitre for 1 night - a historic, Grade 2 listed hotel

Meals:  B

The final walk today will be to Bowness on Solway which is where you will be spending your last night. The walk from Carlisle follows at first the Southern side of the River Eden. The trail follows the Eden once again, more or less parallel with the line of the Wall and Vallum, through Grinsdale and Beaumont where you at last veer away from the Eden. You get good views from just north of the village to the peaks of Skiddaw and High Pike to the south and across the Solway Firth to the West. Through Burgh by Sands, a short detour takes you to the point on the marsh where Edward I died in 1307. In the vicinity of Dykesfield House, the trail joins an old railway embankment for a couple of miles before rejoining the line of “The Wall” near Glasson. From here the route follows the minor road to Bowness on Solway, the site of the Roman fort of Maia and journey’s end. Accommodation: Stay at Shore Gate House, a charming 17th century former corn mill, beautifully preserved and converted into a bed and breakfast

Meals:  B

Trip concludes after breakfast.

Meals:  B