Discover Hadrian’s Wall and Beyond

Hadrian’s Wall offers a journey through history and stunning natural beauty in Northumberland. This iconic Roman landmark stretches across rugged landscapes, ideal for local walks that lead you through ancient ruins, rolling moorlands, and vibrant wildlife. Beyond the wall, Northumberland National Park invites adventurers to hike amidst serene valleys and dramatic hillsides. As one of the largest International Dark Sky Parks, it offers breathtaking stargazing opportunities under some of England’s clearest skies. With the National Trust preserving sites along the wall, each walk promises a blend of heritage, natural wonder, and a chance to connect with the region’s remarkable landscape.

Hadrian’s Wall

Steel Rigg is the closest attraction to the Steel Hut and the inspiration for the name. It’s the most dramatic section of all of Hadrian’s Wall, with rock faces ideal for climbers and a steep rocky path that leads to a stunning longer walk to Housesteads past Sycamore Gap. It also offers a shorter but an equally rewarding circular walk from the hut to Winshields Trig Point, the highest point of Hadrian’s Wall with 360 views. There’s also Vindolanda fort nearby, with a fantastic museum and the opportunity to see ongoing excavations and a cafe. Walltown Crags is a 5 minute drive with a car park and visitor centre, the Roman Army museum a dramatic walk Eastwards along the Wall and by night it becomes a brilliant spot for stargazing.

Local Walks

Haltwhistle Burn is a short drive, parking either by the Milecastle Inn or in Haltwhistle at the other end of the riverside walk. There is also a wagon way walk at Lambley Viaduct, (park at Coanwood Car Park) with its breathtaking views over the South Tyne and wild swimming spots, and Gelt Woods, a fantastic walk well worth the 25 minute drive with its towering trees, dramatic views and wild swimming and the added bonus of the Duke Of Cumberland pub nearby for post walk food and drinks. 

Dark Skies Stargazing

As we are in the Southern end of the International Dark Sky Park we get the best views of the spectacular Northern Lights, as well as being ideally situated for all astrological viewing such as shooting stars, constellations, planets and the Milky Way. The Twice Brewed Inn (2 mins walk) offers stargazing nights, astrophotography courses and even a planetarium. Or if you wanted to take things up a notch you could even take an hour’s drive to the Kielder Observatory with its visitor centre and impressive state of the art telescopes. Check out our blog for more dark skies info here