The best-preserved stretch of Rome's northern frontier, running along the crags of open Northumberland moorland, and free to walk
Open accessNational Trust land — free to wander
The Romans began building Hadrian’s Wall around AD 122, on the orders of the emperor whose name it carries, running coast to coast across the narrowest part of the country. The National Trust looks after a central stretch of it, where the wall follows the top of a line of dark crags called the Whin Sill, out across wide, open Northumberland moorland. This is the best-preserved and most dramatic stretch of the frontier, and the estate itself is free to walk.
The Hadrian’s Wall Path runs right along the top, and one of the most popular places to start is the car park at Steel Rigg, from where you can walk the switchback of crags in either direction. Housesteads fort, one of the best-preserved Roman forts in the country, sits within the estate and has an admission charge. Nearby is Sycamore Gap, the famous dip in the wall where a lone sycamore stood until it was felled in 2023.
This is high, open ground, and the weather can turn cold and wet with little warning even in summer, so bring layers and sturdy footwear. The path crosses working farmland with grazing livestock, so dogs are best kept on a lead.
