The Sill is the perfect place to start exploring Northumberland National Park, and a fantastic location to connect with nature and the National Park’s unique and special landscapes.
Our shop, exhibitions and café are open, with table service available in the café, and you can also enjoy the spectacular views from our rooftop walk.
Parking and Travel
If you are travelling from the WEST along the A69 (from M6/Carlisle), follow the brown and white tourism signs to ‘Hadrian’s Wall’. As you near the junction, near Greenhead, turn left off the A69 and follow the signs to ‘The Sill’.
If you are travelling from the EAST along the A69 (from A1/ Newcastle), follow the brown and white tourism signs to ‘Hadrian’s Wall’. Take the slip road off the A69 towards Corbridge. At the roundabout at the bottom of the slip road, take the third exit onto the A68. At the Errington Arms turn left on to the B6318 and follow the signs to ‘The Sill’.
The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre is located at NE47 7AN
By Coach:
If you are coming from the WEST along the A69, we recommend all coach drivers to turn off the A69 at the Greenhead junction and follow the signs to ‘The Sill’ along the B6318, which is very scenic with good views of Hadrian’s Wall.
If you are coming from the EAST along the A69, we recommend all coach drivers to turn off the A69 at the Stagshaw junction, near Corbridge and follow the signs to ‘The Sill’, along the B6318, which is very scenic with good views of Hadrian’s Wall.
For all coach drivers, travelling on the A69, we do not recommend that you use the the road up from the Bardon Mill junction off the A69. It is very narrow in places with soft verges either side, and is not suitable for coaches.
By Bus:
Between Easter and the end of October, the Hadrian’s Wall Country Bus service (AD122) runs a regular service between Hexham and Haltwhistle, visiting all the main Roman sites and The Sill. The bus stop at The Sill is located right outside the main entrance. The operator of the service is GoNorthEast. Visit: www.gonortheast.co.uk/ad122
This service will run from 12th April 2021 – 31st October 2021. A weekend service will run during the winter.
Concessionary bus pass holders travel free on all journeys after 9.30am on weekdays and all day at weekends or Bank Holidays.
Child tickets are available for all Under 16’s. Student tickets are available on production of a valid NUS or International Student ID card. Family tickets are available for up to two adults and up to three children travelling together, and must include at least one adult and one child.
Please note that Go North East Buzzfare tickets are only valid for travel on the AD122 between Hexham and Chollerford. North East & North West Explorer tickets are not valid on the AD122.
The Sill is accessible from the Hadrian’s Cycleway (NCN72). There are three bike stands in front of the building to lock up your bike, and we also have a bike repair stand free of use.
There are 177 car park spaces at The Sill. Charges apply to all vehicles.
Car Parking charges are:
1st 15 mins. Free
Up to 2 hours £2.00
Then £1.00 per hour thereafter up to a maximum of £5.00.
Remember: you only pay upon your departure.
There are three dedicated spaces for coaches (car parking charges apply), close to the entrance of The Sill (marked clearly on the tarmac).
Alternatively, coach drivers can drop their passengers off at the Sill, then drive to Walltown Country Park (6 miles west along the B6318) to park free of charge, returning to The Sill later to collect their passengers at an agreed time.
If you would like to book a tour of the Sill or a room, and order food in advance, please download the form below. Fill in your details and email to: svwta@nnpa.org.uk.
All coach drivers are entitled to a FREE hot drink at The Sill cafe. Please ask at reception for a voucher.
We are often asked why dogs are not allowed on the Whin Grassland roof and within The Sill.
Our Whin Grassland roof is the only one of its kind in the world and has never been tried before. We have worked closely with specialists and the academic community to find the best soil mix to support and to propagate this unique community of plants. This is an experiment, and the key to its success will be maintaining the delicate chemical balance of the soil.
One of the primary reasons why dogs are not allowed on the roof is the protection of this delicate ecosystem and chemistry. Although most dog owners are responsible and will take away dog waste, both their solid waste and urine could be damaging to the grassland.
We also have to look after the health and safety of our staff and volunteers who will be working on our Whin Grassland roof. We do welcome dogs in our other outdoor spaces and our welcome team make sure that there is always water available in our dog bowls at the main entrance and kiosk area.
We welcome assistance dogs in The Sill, however we are not able to welcome other dogs and there are several reasons for this. The discovery centre is home to learning rooms, a shop and exhibition spaces; there are lots of sounds, lights and smells in a confined area which may cause even the most well-behaved dogs to become excited.
We are also very lucky to have been loaned objects from museums and as part of our loan conditions dogs are not allowed in the exhibition spaces. We are also conscious that not all people like, or feel safe around dogs.
There are five dedicated car parking spaces for Blue Badge Holders close to the entrance of The Sill, with level surface access to the main reception doors. Parking charges apply to Blue Badge Holders.
We have accessible toilets in the building including one fitted out to Changing Places standards, allowing private and fully equipped changing facilities for users and their carers.
