Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall is a Roman defensive fortification stretching 73 miles (117 kilometres) across northern England from Wallsend (Segedunum) on the River Tyne to Bowness-on-Solway on the Solway Firth. Ordered by Emperor Hadrian during his visit to Britain in AD 122, the wall was built by Roman legionary soldiers over approximately six years and formed the northern frontier of the Roman Empire for nearly 300 years. Standing originally up to 6 metres high and 3 metres wide, the wall was punctuated by milecastles (small forts at every Roman mile), two turrets between each milecastle, and sixteen larger forts. The best-preserved section runs through Northumberland National Park between Housesteads and Birdoswald, following the dramatic ridge of the Whin Sill dolerite escarpment. Housesteads Roman Fort (Vercovicium) near Bardon Mill is the most completely preserved Roman fort in Britain, with barracks, granaries, commander's house, and the only known example of a Roman military latrine in England. Vindolanda, south of the wall near Bardon Mill, is an active archaeological site where ongoing excavations continue to unearth extraordinary finds, including the Vindolanda Tablets — the oldest handwritten documents from Roman Britain, covering subjects from birthday party invitations to military supply requests. The 84-mile Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail runs the full length of the wall, taking seven to eight days to complete. Day walkers can tackle the finest central section between Housesteads and Steel Rigg. The Roman Army Museum at Carvoran provides excellent contextual exhibits on Roman military life along the frontier.