Hadrian’s Wall 1900

An incredible day out can be had from The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, with Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site just a stone’s throw from the centre.

Hadrian's Wall Festival logo with dates showing 24 January to 23 December 20222022 is the year we celebrate 1900 years since the building of Hadrian’s Wall, renowned as being the frontier of the Roman Empire. Hundreds of events and activities will be taking place throughout the year-long Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival, with Northumberland National Park and The Sill hosting an exciting programme of events as part of the celebrations.

Start at The Sill, and just a short walk or drive away you can explore the rich heritage of some of the iconic landmarks of Roman Britain found along the Hadrian’s Wall trail. For information about the Wall and what’s nearby, as well as upcoming events, ask our welcome team and they’ll be glad to help you plan your perfect day out.

Click here to explore our self-guided walking routes along Hadrian’s Wall, or scroll to the bottom of this page.

Travelling East

Take a trip to Steel Rigg and treat yourself to some of the best viewpoints on Hadrian’s Wall. Just a short walk from Steel Rigg Car Park you can see the Wall snaking up and along the crags, with the lake of Crag Lough in the distance. There is a short accessible path close to the Wall that is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.

Sycamore Gap is a short walk (approx. 45 minutes) from Steel Rigg. The Sycamore tree is one of most photographed in the country, standing in a dramatic dip on Hadrian’s Wall.

Further east you can visit the remains of a third-century Roman temple at Brocolitia (approx. 10-minute drive). This Mithraic temple is a fascinating ruin dedicated to the god beloved by Roman soldiers.

Hadrian's Wall Walk

Starting from The Sill, you can take a short walk (less than 20 minutes) up to one of the most dramatic sections of Hadrian's Wall.

Travelling West

Travelling west, you can visit Cawfields (approx. 5-minute drive), where Hadrian’s Wall hangs on the edge of the sheer crags of the Whin Sill. Cawfields features public toilets including changing facilities, an information point and a sheltered picnic area. It’s a great starting point to walk to Milecastle 42 and a great stretch of Hadrian’s Wall.

Easy walks and picnics can be enjoyed at Walltown Country Park. It’s great to explore the area with its tall crags around the large hollow left after quarrying. Here you can see how Hadrian’s Wall was built on the sheer north-facing edge of a great wave of volcanic rock.

Walltown Country Park features woodland, meadows, a wildlife lake, car parking, cafe and toilet facilities. It provides good access to Walltown Craggs, just a 10-minute walk, where you’ll find some of the best preserved sections of Hadrian’s Wall.

The small village of Greenhead lies just outside the Northumberland National Park, down the road from Walltown. You can visit Thirlwall Castle, a 12th-century castle on the bank of the River Tipalt.