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HADRIANS WALL - STAY FOR LESS "££"

HADRIANS WALL was built by the ROMANS who invaded Britain in 43AD; Commalus Plautius & 4 legions landing at Richborough, Kent. By 80AD they had invaded most of Britannia as far North as Scotland, establishing many forts to the Forth /Clyde Line. Due to many rebellions in the North & elsewhere (Boudicia) the Romans withdrew to the Solway Line & in 122AD the Emperor Hadrian started to build a Wall across the country at this point. It started at Newcastle (Walls End - East) ending at Carlisle (Solway Firth - West) & is an amazing construction & today it's a World Heritage site. It has Milecastles on the Wall, Vallums (ditches) & a Road inside then Forts (15) about a mile South. Its real purpose was not entirely to repel the raiding Scots from the North but to control people passing this border & to collect taxes etc. To visit this unique historic area, Great Britain's China Wall, GB gives you local knowledge on how to get there & what to see

ACCOMMODATION

No 1 - Once Brewed YHA on the Military Road, Bardon Mill, Northumberland. NE47 7AN ( In the centre of the Walls length, on the original road side) tele 0870 770 5980 Email: oncebrewed@yha.org.uk - £11.25 pn. in 90 mostly 4 bedded dorms, some 3 - 5 & 1 x 7 beds. Self - catering kitchen & equip. meals available, good lounge, laundry & drying area. Its an ideal hostel for walking to/along the Wall, next door is a National Park Visitor Centre.

Newcastle YHA at 107 Jesmond Rd. Newcastle upon Tyne. NE2 1NJ ( Close to the Centre of this interesting main North East City) tele 0870 770 5972 Email: newcastle@yha.org.uk £11.25 pn in 58 beds, 5x2, 4x6 & 2x8 bedded rooms. Self - catering & meals provision, lounge TV room. Townhouse ideal for attractions & East Wall.

Carlisle YHA in Old Brewery Residences, Bridge Lane, Caldewgate. CA2 5SR ( Next to Carlisle Castle over River Caldew) tele 0870 770 5772 Email: dee.carruthers@unn.ac.uk £ 13.50 pn in 56 single bedrooms in flats for up to 7 people. Self - catering only. These University halls offer comfortable accommodation, just minutes from the City centre.

FOOD for No 1 hostel can only be bought from the hostel as the location is so remote you will need to stock up before you set off to the Wall. For Newcastle & Carlisle, these main towns have large supermarkets which will cater for all your needs.

TRAVELLING AROUND the Wall area can, on GB's advice, be started from the East at Newcastle or from the West at Carlisle. Arrive at either of these locations by Rail (UK Main Lines) or by bus on the National Express UK network, perhaps on a stop over to or from Scotland. The journey is then along the Wall road, which is indeed the route of the old Roman Road, by local busses so you will need to pick up a timetable from your starting point. Also a special tourist bus service runs in summer.

"FREE" SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Newcastle Wall End Fort - has been fully restored so you can see outside what it looked like
2. Newcastle River Tyne - you must walk along the riverside path with art, bridges & river craft
3. Newcastle City - where the "Geordies" live, it's a lively modern centre with Castle & "Broon Ale"
4. Once Brewed NP Visitors Centre - gives you maps & explanations on the Wall a good first stop
5. Once Brewed Wall Walk - just to walk beside this great monument & imagine the life is a "wow!"
6. Once Brewed Housesteads - continue the above walk & you will arrive at the rear of this #1 Fort
7. Once Brewed Carrawburgh Temple - remains of this rare Mithraic Temple date from mid 3/4C
8. Once Brewed Cawfields Milecastle - on rugged crags just over the road & up the hill from hostel
9. Carlisle, Town - a historic & interesting town on River Caldew, just South of the Scottish border
10. Gretna Green - just over S/ border where you could get a "quicky anvil wedding" in olden days

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Housesteads Fort - is the most complete Roman Fort in UK, granaries, barracks, hospital & latrines
2. Vinolanda Museum - 80 AD Town, rare Roman finds, re - constructed Temple, Shop & House
3. Chesters Fort - on banks of North Tyne it has bath houses & the foundations of a Roman Bridge
4. Roman Army Museum - brings it all to life with life size figures, scale models & sound shows

(Gov. Nepos, Legions 11 - X1V - XX)