We are planning a trip to England and Scotland for July 2004. My husband would like to spend a day exploring a part of Hadrian's Wall. Although there is a great website on the Wall, it doesn't answer all questions. If we have only one day, what is the best part of the Wall to visit? What would school-age children enjoy about the Wall? I also I heard there may be one or two B and B's in old houses that were actually built using part of the wall. Is this true? Any other suggestions will be appreciated.

Housesteads Fort is probably the best starting point. A small museum, the remains of a very large Roman fort right next to the wall, a piece of the wall that you can actually walk on (most of the time you walk beside it)and very dramatic walking either west toward Steel Rigg or east.

There are often groups of kids on school trips around Housesteads. They seem to be enjoying themselves, so I guess teachers are able to instill some excitement in seeing a 2000 year old sight and imagining what it might have been like building the wall and living in this remote place.

Probably all stone buildings near the wall are made from stone from the wall, including such large buildings as Carlisle Castle and Carlisle cathedral. I don't know any specific B&Bs, though.

Marsha, House Steads is certainly very good (and very popular) but I'd actually suggest that you visit Vindolanda in stead or as well as.

Its the site of a Roman fort and settlement just south of the wall only 10 miles west of House Steads. There will be an ongoing archaeological dig happening when your in the area which will be fascinating to watch. Plus the museums are excellent and distinctly more interactive and suited for school-age children.

Some of the most very important Roman finds in Britain were discovered at this site including a remarkable set of "letters" written to and replies from the wife of the garrison commander which provide a unique insight into life on the wild northern frontier of the Roman Empire (Stuff like... Would you care to pop over for dinner next Thursday night.. we can put on a good spread since we've just had a shipment of luxuries from Londinium" (I paraphrase, naturally!))

Visit www.vindolanda.com for a great taster.. this is how a wibe site should work!

Have a good trip.
Dr D.

We visited the wall at Housteads and walked for about 3 miles along the wall(went west until the tree that grows right on the wall - was in a opening shot of a movie - Bravehart maybe?). If you walk along it, brig good walking/hiking shoes - it is not a good path and there are plenty of sheep droppings along the way!

I can wholeheartly recommend staying at Ashcroft Guest House in Haltwhistle (Northumberland NE49 0DA). It is an excellent B&B with very nice owners and a wonderful garden. I don't have an email. Phone number 01434-320213

I have visited both Housesteads Fort (one needs to be in good shape to walk the distance up the hill to the wall) and to Vindolanda which was the real find. Besides the letters that Dr. Do Good refers to, there were also shoes and other things from Roman times that had been found in a ditch there. The best display in Britain I think.

We stayed at the Rose and Crown Inn in the small town of Slaley, just south of Hexham. Quite convenient, nice pub owner.

Enjoy your trip to Hadrians Wall and hope for good weather or else the blowing rain and fog obscures everything.

If you want to see Roman history and do a bit of walking along the wall, you can do it from the Once Brewed (yes, actual name) Tourist Center which is a short walk from Vindolanda. You can also get maps from the tourist center which show walking paths along the Wall in that area. There is a nice small B&B in Haltwhistle, not too far from Once Brewed, called Hill on the Wall. You can see and walk to the Wall from its front door.

Thank you everyone...I've been 'tagging' along. Our trip to the UK is in May!!
Great Information!!!

We'd also like to visit Hadrian's wall.

Does anyone know how far Langley Castle is from the Wall? According to the Castle's website, the closest stop is Hexham.

Should one take the Hadrian's Wall bus tour from Hexham or take the train back to Barton's Mill and do Vindolanda? Are there baggage checks at either station (pretty important!) I couldn't find anything on the train's website.

Gidget

I have been lurking too on this thread. We will be going in Sept and we are going to spend 2 nights there. Would Hexham be ok? Or should we go to Corbridge to spend the night? I would love to know about the B&B's(with pieces of walls) too? My husband and I are very excited about seeing the Wall and the artifacts. Judy

Judy, I used Corbridge as a base for the eastern part of the Wall. Its a nice small town. The Roman fort on the edge of the town iswell worth visting. I stayed at a B&B called the Hayes -- lovely old house, beautiful comfortable room, awful breakfast. I used a combination of the regular Carlisle to Newcastle bus and the Hadrian's Wall bus to get to and from various parts of the wall, and did a lot of walking.

gidget, don't expect to find left luggage facilities at any of the train stations along this route. They are way too small and there would be very little demand.

You should enjoy this article from the NY Times of one family's visit to Hadrian's Wall. The children are 13 and 9 year old twins.

http://query.nytimes.com/search/arti...5BC0A9659C8B63

Like the family in this article we, too, were caught by the weather. Keep your eyes on the sky. The rain can come quick and heavy.

To Gidgetgirl
Langley Castle is just outside Hexham (about 5 miles from city center) on its own very large estate. If you have a car, you should have no problem getting around. Lots of parking in Hexham and in various tourist centers along the Wall. Another option is to take a taxi to the Wall and arrange a time for a return pick-up. Langley Castle is not within walking distance of the Wall.
Langley Castle Hotel is fabulous. It dates from Edward III's time and has been restored. Very romantic with an excellent restaurant. There are also several walking trails on the grounds of Langley Castle. Expensive but very, very memorable. We stayed there recently and can't wait to return.

Thanks nibblette for the distances. That was helpful information. It was hard to tell by the map.

We aren't planning on renting a car, but I can't figure out what to do with the luggage while we are touring the wall.

The castle looks AWESOME and would be our big splurge of the trip. It's just a matter of making everything fit together- luggage, going to and from the wall/rail station, etc.

To gidgetgirl:
If you are staying at Langley, they may allow you to store your luggage there even if your room isn't ready yet. Your room may actually be ready early like ours was. We checked in without a problem in the late morning (11AMish). The service there is outstanding and they could probably help with transportation to and from the Wall.
Even if you don't stay at Langley, it doesn't hurt to ask the place where you will be staying to hold your luggage even if the room isn't ready yet. The smaller B&Bs are usually quite personable and accomodating and may grant this request.

Housesteads Fort and Vindolanda are both outstanding - weather permitting. When the wind blows, you'll understand why the Romans didn't bother to go any further north.
Note to GidgetGirl - depending on your reasons, I would at least consider renting a car to see this area, particulary with luggage issues. It's a very remote region and actually quite fun to drive relative to the chaos as you go farther south. Enjoy.

Thank you all for your responses. (You have convinced my husband that my time spent on this forum IS worthwhile!) Another question: has anyone stayed at the Montcoffer B & B near Hexham? It got a good review in the February 2004 International Travel News.

I highly agree with the recs from 39steps; if limited by time go straight to these two Roman sites, Housesteads Fort and Vindolanda. Kids (and adults) will enjoy the campsite setting and the museum with interesting exhibits of life as a Roman soldier. It truly is an outstanding experience, especially for kids. I would also strongly recommend at least an overnight at the place we stayed: The Abbey Bridge Inn ( http://www.abbeybridge.co.uk/). The inn is located within walking distance to Naworth Castle, Lanercost Priory (1166; sacked by William Wallace; blew me away), and sections of the Hadrian's Wall are in the property. The Irthing River runs a few meters from the entrance door. Lovely setting, quiet, great food. Have fun, sounds like a fabulous trip.