The best hikes from bus stations around Waterhead

With its well-preserved sections of wall and nearby banks, turrets and a lime kiln, Hare Hill offers great insights into the Roman past. Along with the River Irthing crossing, this area must have been a veritable hive of Roman activity.

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.

magnificent history tour - cafe for refreshments and shop for souvenirs

Award winning café in Gilsland. Closed on a Wednesday.

Banks East Turret, also known as Turret 52A, is one of the best-preserved watchtowers along the western section of Hadrian's Wall. Built around 122 AD on the orders of Emperor Hadrian, this tower was part of an ingenious network: two turrets stood between each milecastle, manned by a handful of soldiers who guarded the boundary. The tower is built of stone, even though the wall here was originally turf—a rare example of early Roman engineering. You'll find an impressive section of wall reaching 1.75 meters high at the tower itself. The site offers panoramic views of the southern landscape, while the northern terrain is higher—a strategic yet surprising choice.

On a strategic rise above the River Irthing lies Birdoswald Roman Fort (Banna), one of the best-preserved forts along Hadrian's Wall. Built around 122 AD, it housed troops from countries including Dacia (modern-day Romania) and played a key role in defending the northwestern border of the Roman Empire. The fort lies on the longest continuous stretch of Hadrian's Wall still visible. Within the ruins, you'll find the remains of barracks, granaries, gates, and even a unique Roman drill hall. The visitor center offers interactive exhibits and original artifacts, including altars and inscriptions. Birdoswald is an ideal rest stop for cyclists following the Hadrian's Cycleway. The tearoom and the view make it a pleasant stop with historical depth.

Hadrian's Wall was a 117 km long defensive wall built from 122 AD under Emperor Hadrian as the northwestern border of the Roman Empire. The wall ran from the Tyne to the Solway Firth, its central section following the natural ridge of the Whin Sill, a hard dolerite geological formation. This location offered Roman troops a tactical advantage: high ground with wide visibility and natural defenses. The wall served to control movement, delay incursions, and demonstrate Roman power. Here, next to Birdoswald Fort, you'll find the longest remaining section of the historic wall.

This impressive Augustinian priory, founded around 1169, is just a stone's throw from Hadrian's Wall. Its ruins tell stories of kings, wars, and pilgrims. King Edward I stayed here in 1306 during his final campaign against the Scots, and Robert the Bruce later attacked the monastery. The church ruins still stand tall, with a dramatic triple-arched structure. Built partly with stones from Hadrian's Wall, they include Roman inscriptions. Inside, you'll find the Lanercost Cross (1214) and the Lanercost Dossal, a work of art designed by William Morris.