The best cycling routes around Plenmeller With Whitfield

Well, we got here nearly at the end of our Hadrian's Wall hike for the day and had a bit of bad luck. Fancy turning up at one of the best Roman forts on Hadrian's Wall to be told it was closed because the wind was too strong and it might blow us off the wall. A place to come back to.

National Cycle Route 72, or Hadrian's Cycleway, passes through Stanegate here. Stanegate was a strategic Roman border road in Northern England, constructed around 77–85 AD under Governor Agricola—decades before Hadrian's Wall. The name "Stanegate" comes from Old English and literally means "stone road." Stanegate runs through the valleys of the River Tyne and River Irthing and is approximately 61 km long. It served as a military corridor leading to Hadrian's Wall and, from around 87 AD, became the de facto northern border of the Roman Empire in Britain.

closed at present due to structural failure

Hexham Abbey is one of England's oldest and most impressive churches. The abbey was originally founded in 674 AD by St. Wilfrid, using stones from nearby Roman ruins. The oldest part—the Saxon crypt—is still intact and represents a rare remnant of early Christian architecture. Inside, you'll find stained glass, the Roman tombstone of Flavinus, a 1st-century standard-bearer, an impressive Phelps organ from 1974, and a frith stool (Saxon bishop's chair). Admission to the abbey is free, with a small charge for the crypt.

Warden Bridge is an elegant stone arch bridge spanning the River South Tyne. The current bridge was built in 1903 and replaced an earlier chain bridge dating from 1826, which collapsed under the weight of a steam threshing machine in 1877. The structure consists of two stone arches with one pier suspended in the water. On the south side, the old tollhouse still stands, a reminder of the days when you had to pay to cross the bridge.

National Cycle Route 72, or Hadrian's Cycleway, passes through Stanegate here. Stanegate was a strategic Roman border road in Northern England, constructed around 77–85 AD under Governor Agricola—decades before Hadrian's Wall. The name "Stanegate" comes from Old English and literally means "stone road." Stanegate runs through the valleys of the River Tyne and River Irthing and is approximately 61 km long. It served as a military corridor leading to Hadrian's Wall and, from around 87 AD, became the de facto northern border of the Roman Empire in Britain.

National Cycle Route 72, or Hadrian's Cycleway, passes through Stanegate here. Stanegate was a strategic Roman border road in Northern England, constructed around 77–85 AD under Governor Agricola—decades before Hadrian's Wall. The name "Stanegate" comes from Old English and literally means "stone road." Stanegate runs through the valleys of the River Tyne and River Irthing and is approximately 61 km long. It served as a military corridor leading to Hadrian's Wall and, from around 87 AD, became the de facto northern border of the Roman Empire in Britain.

🏛️ Vindolanda Fort is one of the most fascinating Roman archaeological sites in Britain. Built around 85 AD and rebuilt nine times, Vindolanda was an important military stronghold before and during the construction of Hadrian's Wall. The highlight of the discovery were the Vindolanda Tablets – wooden tablets containing personal letters, shopping lists, and even birthday party invitations. They are the oldest handwritten documents in Britain. On site, you'll see the remains of forts, bathhouses, barracks, and a Roman village (vicus), replicas of Roman buildings and sections of Hadrian's Wall, and a modern museum with thousands of artifacts: shoes, toys, weapons, jewelry, and more. 🍵 Visitor facilities: Café, shop, guided tours, and listening posts with explanations.