Claire Knowles

Hello from Hadrian’s Wall!

Hadrian’s Wall: Offerings to the Gods Coins left on the altar at the Temple of Mithras at Brocolitia. Mithraism was a secretive Roman religious cult, popular among soldiers. Its temples were often built partly underground to resemble caves, reflecting the mythology of Mithras. #HadriansWall

Hadrian’s Wall: Toilets Housesteads Roman Fort has some of the best-preserved Roman latrines in the UK. Visitors are encouraged to sit down and enjoy a bit of potty history. Can I interest you in moss or sponge, sir? #HadriansWall #toilets #hiking #history #tours

Hadrian’s Wall: Hidden History In a field near Vindolanda is Chesterholm Roman milestone. Britain’s only intact Roman milestone still standing in its original position. It marked 15 Roman miles from Corbridge along the Stanegate road. Wrap your arms around 2000 years of history. #hadrianswall

Hadrian’s Wall: Looking Back Every now and then, it’s worth stopping to look back at where you’ve come from. There are dramatic views all around you along Hadrian’s Wall, and some of the best are behind you. #hadrianswall #Northumberland #Hiking #Walking

Hadrian’s Wall: Gates This gate near Housesteads Roman Fort has a hunter latch, also known as a hunting catch. It’s designed so horse riders can open the gate without dismounting. Pull up to open. #HadriansWall #Housesteads #Walking

Hadrian’s Wall: Clayton’s Wall Victorian landowner and solicitor John Clayton was a keen antiquarian. He saw stones being taken from Hadrian’s Wall, so bought land along the Wall to protect it. The stretches he restored near Housesteads can still be recognised by their distinctive grassy tops.

Hadrian’s Wall: Mountain Rescue Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team and North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team provide search and rescue services across Hadrian’s Wall and the surrounding countryside 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. #MountainRescue #HadriansWall

Hadrian’s Wall: Big Skies By day, dramatic clouds, moody skies and brilliant blue. By night, exceptionally dark, unpolluted skies. Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, awarded Gold Tier status, is one of England’s best places for stargazing. #HadriansWall #Northumberland

Hadrian’s Wall: A National Trail The acorn symbol identifies a National Trail, a specially designated long-distance route recognised for its landscape, history and cultural significance. Northumberland has three: Hadrian’s Wall Path, the Pennine Way and the King Charles III England Coast Path.

Hadrian’s Wall: Heavenfield St Oswald’s Church at Heavenfield marks the end of the 96-mile St Oswald’s Way, where it joins Hadrian’s Wall Path. King Oswald (c. 604–642 CE) is said to have raised a large wooden cross before the Battle of Heavenfield in 634 CE. #HadriansWall #Northumberland

Hadrian’s Wall: Cawfields Quarry An atmospheric stretch of Hadrian’s Wall. Enjoy a Roman milecastle, turret and vallum, plus sweeping 360-degree views. One of the tallest surviving sections of Hadrian’s Wall at Thorny Doors, and an amazing place for stargazing in the UK’s largest Dark Sky Park.

Hadrian’s Wall: Sewingshields crags Sewingshields crag, just east of Housesteads Roman Fort, amazing views north over Broomlee Lough and Wark Forrest. The dry stone wall sits on the line of Hadrian’s Wall. The stones perhaps once formed part of the Wall. #hadrianswall #nationaltrail

Hadrian’s Wall: Bowness-on-Solway Only 5½ miles to go, or 5½ miles into your adventure, depending on the direction you’re walking. There’s no Wall to see around Bowness-on-Solway. Instead you have salt marshes, friendly cows, country lanes, honesty huts and traditional pubs. #HadriansWall #Walking

Hadrian’s Wall: Weather Forecast Sunny intervals, showers, a bit of wind and the occasional migratory goose. The daily forecast at Housesteads Roman Fort has everything you need to know. #HadriansWall #Northumberland

Hadrian’s Wall wildlife Some of the animals you may encounter walking the Wall: cows, spring lambs, sheep, pigs, donkeys, toads, horses, ponies, birds, deer, field voles, alpacas, chickens, gulls, dogs, working dogs, butterflies, caterpillars, moth larvae and an African grey parrot.

Hadrian’s Wall: Near Housesteads The only section of Hadrian’s Wall you’re permitted to walk atop. Autumn leaves, blue skies and views north across Broomlee Lough towards Wark and Kielder Forest. Not bad. #hadrianswall #views

Rainbow over Housesteads Roman Fort today. #housesteads #rainbow #northumberland

The UK’s first National Trail, the Pennine Way, crosses Hadrian’s Wall near Housesteads Roman Fort. 268 miles and route of the epic Spine Race vs 84 miles of Hadrian’s Wall Path, part of the route of the equally epic, but bit less brutal, 70-mile The Wall ultramarathon. #HadriansWall #PennineWay

Hadrian’s Wall oddities: Rickerby Park Tower Looks Roman. Isn’t Roman. This octagonal tower beside the Hadrian’s Wall Path outside Carlisle was built in 1835 as a Victorian folly… she’s pretty. And, possibly doubling as a dovecote… nice pad for a bird. #HadriansWall #Carlisle

Joining our Autumn Arrival Spotlight flock today is the Brambling! 🧡 With their striking orange chests and white rumps, these gorgeous northern visitors often mingle with Chaffinches in UK woodlands and fields.

Hadrian’s Wall: Trig points Built by the Ordnance Survey to help map Britain. Dotted all over the UK countryside, usually at some pretty spectacular viewpoints. This one is on Hadrian’s Wall near Sewingshields. BYO guide-step-ladder! #hadrianswall #trigpoint #northumberland

Hadrian’s Wall: Tip Get a passport! 7 stamp locations along the Wall. Easter - October. Miss one? All stamps at Walltown and the Sill. Purchase your passport online or at either end. Money supports conservation of Hadrian’s Wall Path. Not walking the full length? Get yourself stamped instead!

Hadrian’s Wall Kit: Tilley Hat Heading to Hadrian’s Wall? You’re going to need a hat! The best hat protects you from sun, rain and strong westerly winds. On top of the crags, a hat without a chin strap is always in danger of flying away never to be seen again. #hadrianswall #kitlist

Walking from Walltown to the Sill. #hadrianswall #whinsill #craglough #lovenorthumberland

Peel Gap Tower – built with dressed whin stone instead of the usual sandstone. Also… not part of the Roman plans. #RogueLegionnaireMove #PeelGapRebel #HadriansWall #HiddenTurret

Chesterholme Milestone. Set in the ground by Roman soldiers 2,000 years ago to mark the miles along the Stanegate road. Still standing. #RomanGPS #HistoryInTheWild #NoTimeMachineNeeded