Walking Britain Northumberland Walk
Hadrian's Wall - Walltown Crags & Aesica
Walk Route Description
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Hadrian's Wall runs for 73 miles across northern England and construction started in AD 122. The wall remained in use until the 5th century by which time the Romans had departed. Today there is still significant evidence of the wall with some sections restored or rebuilt to show their impregnable and intimidating construction. This walk includes one of the best preserved sections of Hadrian's Wall to the north of Haltwhistle.
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The start is a small car park (Grid ref NY675662), which is reached by taking the B6318 east from Greenhead and taking the first left turn to the Wall and Roman Army Museum. Just opposite the Museum turn right down a narrow tarmac lane. The parking area is on the left just before a sign restricting further access to the lane. After parking, walk up the grass slope. Reaching one of the best preserved sections of the wall, it worth spending a few minutes and walking west (turning left) along the wall to overlook the large quarry before retracing your steps and continuing along the wall in an eastward direction.
The path follows the wall and it is difficult to lose your way. Passing Walltown Quarry you will soon realise that the wall follows an undulating route and that there are plenty of ups and downs to this walk. Just after Walltown Quarry you reach Milecastle 45. These intermediate fortifications were spread along the wall every Roman Mile and offered access through the wall and additional fortifications. You will have noticed that evidence of the wall gradually reduces and in places the remains are very sparse. Reaching Great Chesters Farm you can investigate the site of Aesica Roman Fort where remains of buildings and a shrine are easily seen.
The walk leaves the wall here. Turn right down the track towards the road. At the first junction (Grid ref. NY704664) turn right and follow a clear track. This track follows the course of the Vallum, an auxiliary defensive ditch. Stay on this track to just before Walltown Farm. Here turn right and on reaching the wall, turn left and return along the wall back to the start.
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL43 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL43 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 86 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 86 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 87 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 87 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
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Recommended Reading
Pennine Way Map Booklet
Map of the 270 miles (435km) Pennine Way National Trail, between Edale in the Peak District and Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. This booklet is included with the Cicerone guidebook to the trail, and shows the full route on Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps. This popular long-distance route typically takes three weeks to complete.
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