Hadrian’s Wall

For nearly three hundred years, Hadrian’s Wall marked the northernmost boundary of the Roman Empire. The Roman military constructed it after Emperor Hadrian paid a visit to Britain in AD 122. It spanned northern Britain at a length of 73 miles (80 Roman miles), starting in Wallsend on the River Tyne and ending in Bowness-on-Solway. In 1987, Hadrian’s Wall, the most well-known Roman boundary, was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

Along the 73 miles of stone wall that winds its way across the United Kingdom and takes a number of twists and turns, there are a number of fascinating ruins, temples, and Roman bath houses. Northumberland’s landscape is traversed by an extraordinary example of Roman engineering that was so remarkable that it provided the impetus for the creation of Game of Thrones.

Building of the wall

A lot of people are under the impression that slaves were the ones who built the wall. Men from all over the Empire who had voluntarily joined the army probably needed such an exercise to keep them fit and busy in what was, at that time, a lonely outpost at the farthest possible edge of the world. But by today’s standards, we could say that the wall was a kind of occupational therapy for Roman legionaries.

In addition to regular troops, the Roman army included highly trained individuals such as architects, masons, builders, surveyors, and carpenters. These individuals saw the construction of the wall as an opportunity to showcase their abilities while also contributing to what they considered to be the most civilising force in the western world at the time.

It’s possible that people in the community volunteered their assistance for similar reasons. And there is no question that the people in the community benefited from the exchange of goods and services.

How to get there?

By Plane. Hadrian’s Wall Country is served by two international airports, Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley.

By Bus. An hourly bus service (685) runs between Newcastle and Carlisle, stopping at many places within the Heart of Hadrian’s Wall.

By Rail. Hadrian’s Wall Country is around three-and-a-half hours from London by train.

By Car. One of the towns closest to the wall is Haltwhistle.