Taking train to Hadrian's Wall- where should we stop to view?

Question

We (2 adults, 2 kids) will be in Scotland with a BritRail pass so we can hop on and off as we need. We will have a day or two around the Hadrian's Wall area and wanted to go see it... as we will have a 6 yr old with us we don't want to hike all 84 miles. We were hoping for a little day trip (you know, hike around for two or three hours, check out a cute pub with good beer, jump back on the train). Any ideas how & where to do this from the train line between Carlisle and Newcastle?

Answer 1

there is a hop on hop off public tourist bus that will take you the length of hadrian's wall from carlisle to newcastle. it is very handy.

it's the AD 122

from google:

The Hadrian's Wall Bus AD122 runs from the centre of Newcastle-upon-Tyne through to Carlisle and passes through some spectacular scenery on the way.

www.northumberland-national-park.org.u...

you will need a full day at vindolanda. there is a museum in newcastle callled segedunum roman museum. chesters roman fort, housesteads.

oh, and bring a sweater, i froze there last july.

Answer 2

I would think Hexham as the best places to see the Wall are in the middle section - I'd recommend Housesteads, Chesters or Vindolanda - but you need to go by road to get to them and the best view you get of some of the remaining sections of the Wall itself without miles of walking is to be able to drive along the A69 - many sections of this road follow the ancient route of the Roman service road on the English side of the Wall - a combination of one of Housesteads, Chesters or Vindolanda and a drive along the road would make an informative and enjoyable day out (I know, I've done it lol)

maybe you could hire a taxi in Hexham to do the trip and have your drink at a nice pub when you get back (Hexham is a charming place)

have a look at the interactive map on the website

http://www.hadrians-wall.org/Plan_Roman_...

PS:

if you do decide to do this trip, you'd probably need to book the taxi in advance, there's some local taxi companies on this website

http://www.hexhamnet.co.uk/bus64.htm

and remember to wrap up - no matter how warm it is down in the valleys when you're up on the top there's nothing to stop the wind or rain - so I'd suggest something warm (a woollie or a fleece) and a lightweight rainproof coat and maybe a hat (umbrellas are no use up there, they'd blow inside out!), it's what my grandmother used to call a lazy wind, it doesn't bother to go round you, it goes straight through you

if you're in that area of the England I'd also recommend the Beamish Museum as a great day out, the little ones would love it too