Northern England walking break
Hadrian's Weekender

A long weekend hiking break to Cumbria and Northumberland just over the Border in England, featuring the classic views and historical sites along Hadrian’s Wall footpath. New for 2009!

As well as Hadrian’s Wall, the Cumbria and Northumberland areas are steeped in the historical rivalries between Scotland and England, other sites include Burgh by Sands, the deathbed of Edward I “Longshanks”

Trip Summary
This 3-day hiking tour is based in the wide open moorland of Cumbria and Northumberland, following the more interesting sections of the Hadrian’s Wall footpath. The rolling hills and moorland plateau landscape is typical of the North of England and Scottish borders and is dominated in places by the still impressive remains of the Roman Wall.

Tour Itinerary
This holiday includes 3 days guided hiking along the Hadrian’s Wall footpath, back up transport, 2 nights full board accommodation in Northumberland, entry to historical sites.

We will have a half day walking on the Friday followed by two longer days on the Saturday and Sunday. There will be an option to stay an extra night In Newcastle city centre in the Sunday night.

Day 1 (Friday) Bowness on Solway to Carlisle
We will meet you at Carlisle railway station at 10.00am and then travel west to the village of Bowness on Solway which is the western end of Hadrian’s Wall – the landscape here is estuary and saltflats with great views north to the Galloway hills in Scotland – the walk is flat, following the wall and the river Eden back into the city of Carlisle. In the evening we will travel out to the village of Gilsland, for our accommodation.

(20km, 12 miles, flat walking, good trail)

Day 2 (Saturday) Lanercost Priory to Haltwhistle
We will start away from the Wall at Lanercost Priory (1166 until the Disolution of Henry VIII) and then walk uphill to the Wall, following the footpath along past Gilsland, Thirlwall Castle and Great Chesters Fort before descending of the path to our overnight accommodation at the village of Haltwhistle.

(20km, 12 miles, good tracks or country lanes, 200m/600ft ascent)

Day 3 (Sunday) Haltwhistle to Cholerford (onwards to Newcastle)
Starting at Haltwhistle, we will be walking all the famous parts of Hadrian’s Wall – with some of the most impressive remaining sections such as Sycamore Gap (unfortunately, as seen in Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood) and Housesteads Fort before finishing our walking at Chesters Fort alongside the river North Tyne at the village of Chollerford.

We will then travel onward to Newcastle for a well deserved celebratory drink alongside the Quayside in the UK’s most famous party town, before onward travel from Newcastle railway station.

(25km, 14 miles, 350m/1000ft ascent, good trail , rough in a few sections)

Accommodation and Meals
Your accommodation for this weekend is in homely bed and breakfast/guest house accommodation in the spectacular setting of villages of Gilsland and Haltwhistle. Evening meals at local pubs and all packed lunches are included. If required, accommodation can be arranged for after the walk in Newcastle City Centre.

Grading of Walks
The walking throughout this trip we class overall as “easy to moderate” and will be suitable for people of good fitness who enjoy a full days' hiking but who needn’t necessarily have any previous hillwalking experience. The walk on the Friday is shorter and flatter than on Saturday and Sunday, there are escape routes and drop-out places throughout the walk if required. Your enjoyment of the trip is paramount and if you have any concerns regarding your fitness for this weekend then please just call and we can talk it through with you. Read our grading guide here.

Price
£250 (includes 3 days guided walking, full board accommodation, back up transport), entry to historical sites. Does not include transport to Carlisle and return from Newcastle, however please contact us if you are traveling from Edinburgh as we can provide subsidised transport.

You can book your trip online now! If you need more information, please do contact us.