NEW YORK NEWCASTLE NEW THREE NIGHT STAY UNESCO World Heritage Sites This three night, four day itinerary follows the path of the Romans along the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hadrian s Wall, which stretches across the north of England. Travel the length of the Wall from the easternmost point in Wallsend and Newcastle upon Tyne, right through to the western coastal defences in Cumbria. Hadrian s Wall is one of England s greatest landmarks and the writer George RR Martin used it as inspiration for his own Wall in the bestselling books and hit TV series, Game of Thrones.
ONE 12:30 Blackfriars A restaurant in the oldest dining hall in the UK, which was established in 1239 as a Dominican friary let the fun begin! Arrive into Newcastle International Airport, which has excellent transport links connecting to the city centre in just 15 minutes by car or by a 25 minute direct journey on the Metro light-rail system. Check into your city centre hotel Newcastle is home to many big-name hotel brands like Hilton, Hotel Indigo, Marriott, Holiday Inn, plus UK brands Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin. It also has a range of boutique and independent hotels including Jesmond Dene House or The Vermont Hotel, as well as a wide choice of budget accommodation so you re spoilt for choice on places to stay. As Newcastle sits at the heart of the North East region, it is the perfect base for exploring the wider region, with city centre restaurants, nightlife and culture all to hand. After checking in, spend the day exploring the Roman Heritage of Newcastle upon Tyne and the surrounding area, at the easternmost end of where Hadrian s Wall stood. Newcastle has a compact and walkable city centre, plus great public transport links, including the Tyne & Wear Metro Service, so it is easy to get around. A great starting point is to visit the Great North Museum: Hancock, which is in the Haymarket area of the city. Here you can spend a couple of hours finding out all about the Roman Empire s influence on the North of England. The informative and interactive exhibition includes a large-scale interactive model of Hadrian s Wall, and it s completely free of charge to visit. 10:30 Hancock Museum Find out all about the Roman Empire s influence on the North of England. After a morning at the museum, enjoy lunch in the historical setting of Blackfriars a restaurant in the oldest dining hall in the UK, which was established in 1239 as a Dominican friary. Sample the traditional British menu, with local and seasonal produce you can even try some North East specialities like Pan Haggerty and North Sea mackerel.
ONE After lunch, travel to the coastal town of South Shields (just 25 minutes on the Tyne & Wear Metro) to visit Arbeia Roman Fort & Museum, which once guarded the entrance to the River Tyne and sits four miles east of the end of the Wall. Explore the excavated remains (you can often see archaeologists at work!) and the reconstruction of a Roman fort gateway, Commanding Officer s house and barrack block. Alternatively, visit Segedunum Roman Fort, which is easily accessed from Newcastle city centre by a 15 minute Metro journey to Wallsend. It s the most completely excavated fort on Hadrian s Wall and you can take in the whole site from its 35 metre high viewing tower Return to Newcastle for the evening, to make the most of its famous, vibrant nightlife. Newcastle is well-known for its Brown Ale, but many craft breweries have also sprung up in the region, offering a wide range of authentic local ales. You can settle down for a pint that has been brewed on site in The Bridge Tavern s own micro brewery, and then enjoy dinner in the cosy gastro-pub surroundings of The Broad Chare which specialises in proper good-quality British pub food. 14:30 Arbeia Roman Fort & Museum Explore the excavated remains and the reconstruction of a Roman fort gateway, Commanding Officer s house and barrack block. 19:30 The Broad Chare Gastro-pub, specialising in proper good-quality British pub food.
two to the wall On the second day, after a hearty full English breakfast, you can start the journey west from Newcastle, following the footsteps of the Romans along Hadrian s Wall. The best way to explore the Wall and rural Northumberland is by car (plenty of car hire options are available in Newcastle s city centre). For those who prefer to use public transport, the AD122 Hadrian s Wall bus service is a convenient way to travel. Travel to the luxurious Matfen Hall, which was recently voted the Best Large Hotel in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2015 it s just a 30 minute drive from Newcastle. This former stately home is set in 300 acres of parkland and offers golf and spa facilities. Alternatively you may like to stay in a charming bed and breakfast in a Northumberland village like Corbridge or Haltwhistle. On the way to Matfen, be sure to stop of at Wylam Brewery at Heddon on the Wall where you can pick up some North East craft beers to enjoy later. From your hotel base, you can travel west to explore the Northumberland section of the Wall, spending the first half of the day at the most iconic of all the Wall sites, Housesteads Roman Fort (a 30 minute drive from the hotel). Housesteads is set high on a dramatic ridge and is the best preserved of all the Roman forts along Hadrian s Wall. Here you can see the excavated remains of all the different types of buildings within a typical fort, including the barracks, headquarters block, commander s house, granaries, hospital, toilets and a complete circuit of walls. Hadrian s Wall itself runs across the north side of the fort from where there are dramatic views across the Northumberland landscape into barbaricum where the barbarians lived! 10:30 Housesteads Roman Fort The best preserved of all the Roman forts along Hadrian s Wall.
two 16:00 Roman Vindolanda Stunning excavated fort and civilian settlement with an extensive museum displaying artefacts from the site. 14:30 After enjoying tea and scones or a light Alternatively, you can take the short drive lunch in the visitor centre at Housesteads, west (under 10 minutes) to the next major Sycamore Gap The highest remains of the Wall and the solitary tree from the those who are feeling active can spend the afternoon on a five mile circular walk alongside the Wall to reach the famous Sycamore Gap where you will see both the attraction. Roman Vindolanda stands on the Stanegate frontier which pre-dated Hadrian s Wall. film Robin Hood: highest remains of the Wall and the solitary This stunning excavated fort and civilian Prince of Thieves. tree immortalised in the film Robin Hood: settlement has an extensive museum Prince of Thieves, before returning via the Roman Military Way. Allow at least three hours for the walk. displaying artefacts from the site, including some of the world-famous Vindolanda Writing Tablets which provide an astonishing glimpse into everyday life along the frontier 2,000 years ago. You can even watch some live excavations from April to September. Return to your hotel on the evening ready to rest and enjoy the fantastic spa facilities and enjoy contemporary dining in Matfen s 2 AA Rosette Library Restaurant.
three 14:00 Carlise Castle A vital part of the defence of the city for nine centuries. head west to cumbria After checking out of your hotel, you will continue your journey west along the Wall, heading into North Cumbria. After a pleasant 50 minute drive from Matfen Hall, you will reach the Birdoswald Roman Fort, where you can see the longest continuous stretch of Hadrian s Wall. Spend the morning exploring the Fort and the visitor centre, to learn about the 1000+ soldiers who were once based here. From Birdoswald, it s just a 35 minute drive west to the historic city of Carlisle, which is known as the great border city. Its location made for a turbulent past with frequent battles between the English and the Scots for possession and it was one of the most besieged place in the British Isles, having been held to siege 10 times in its history. Spend the afternoon at Carlisle Castle, which was a vital part of the defence of the city for nine centuries. Carlisle Castle remained a working fortress until well within living memory. At the Castle, you can visit the turret in which Mary, Queen of Scots was held captive from 1567 by order of her cousin Queen Elizabeth I. Linked to the castle by means of an underground public walkway is Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery which is well worth a visit, not just because of its Roman Frontier Gallery which draws together more pieces of the Hadrian s Wall story, but also for its exhibition on the ever-fascinating Border Reivers lawless gangs who survived by plundering livestock, but who also engaged in other practises such as kidnapping and racketeering. As Carlisle is Cumbria s capital city, there s a wide range of accommodation on offer, from luxury hotels, to bed and breakfasts and self-catering cottages. You may like to stay in the lavish Dalston Hall Hotel, which is just a 15 minute drive from the city centre.
four cumbrian coastline & lakes On your final day of the trip, you ll make you way to the end of the Wall on the Cumbria coastline. The village of Bowness-on-Solway stands on the site of the Roman fort of Maia and marks the end of Hadrian s Wall. But it s not the end of the Roman story in Cumbria, as the Romans continued by building coastal defences southwards. Travel around an hour by car you ll reach the Roman coastal defences at Milefortlet 21. The grassy remains of this 2nd Century fortlet show the defensive ditch and outlines of the Roman building foundations. A further 15 minute drive will take you to Senhouse Roman Museum at Maryport, which is dramatically situated above the Solway Firth. The must-see museum includes the largest group of Roman military altar stones and inscriptions in Great Britain. During the summer months of 2015 the final phase of an excavation programme takes place with opportunities to join a guided tour of the excavation site. You ll be finished your Roman journey by lunchtime, leaving a little bit of time to explore the stunning Lake District area for the afternoon or why not stay a little longer and explore the Lakes further? The Lake District has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status, with a decision expected in 2017. Explore the quaint towns of Keswick, Bowness-on-Windermere or Ambleside. Don your hiking boots and enjoy a hike up one of the area s many mountains such as Scafell Pike, Helvellyn or Coniston Old Man or rent a boat and take to one of the lakes. You can also explore The Lake District s literary heritage with a visit to The World of Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth s birthplace in Cockermouth, Wordsworth House, or Dove Cottage in Grasmere where he wrote some of his most famous poetry.
extra day extend your stay! Visit other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the north of England. Cumbria Coast (Maryport) Studley Royal Park and the ruins of Fountains Abbey - Visit the ruins of a Cistercian Abbey, an elegant Georgian water garden and a medieval deer park. 2 hour 30 minutes by car. Cumbria Coast (Maryport) Saltaire - Saltaire is an outstanding and well preserved example of a Victorian planned model village. 2 hours 50 minutes by car. 2 hours 45 minutes by car. Cumbria Coast (Maryport) Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City - Explore Liverpool s maritime history. At the time of its construction in 1846, the Albert Dock was a revolutionary docking system. 2 hours 45 minutes by car.
A19 useful information Accommodation - The north of England offers a huge range of accommodation options, including big-name hotel brands, independent and boutique hotels, as well bed and breakfasts and good quality hostels for those on a budget. Newcastle and Gateshead newcastlegateshead.com/accommodation Northumberland visitnorthumberland.com/where-to-stay Carlisle and The Lake District golakes.co.uk/accommodation Airport transfers - Newcastle International Airport is just eight miles from Newcastle city centre. The airport is connected to the city centre by the Metro light railway system. Trains run every 5 15 minutes and the journey takes just 25 minutes. Bus services, car hire and taxis are also available at the airport. Car hire - Car hire at Newcastle International Airport or in Newcastle city centre couldn t be easier with many national car hire companies available. Contact details are as follows: Sixt 0844 499 3399 sixt.co.uk Europcar 0871 384 3411 europcar.co.uk Hertz 0191 286 6748 hertz.co.uk Avis 0844 544 6022 avis.co.uk Budget 0844 544 4663 budget.co.uk Interrent 0844 544 4663 interrent.com Public transport Tyne and Wear Metro - Metro is the North East s very own light rail system. With 60 stations located around Tyne and Wear, there s usually one close by and because they re so frequent, you can just hop on and off with no hassle. nexus.org.uk/metro Bus - There are bus routes operating to the main tourist attractions, many offering you money-saving tickets and discounts on entry fees. The two main bus companies in the North East are Arriva and Go North East. Make use of the Traveline North East Journey Planner to help you plan your trip. travelinenortheast.info Train - Newcastle is located on the East Coast mainline that connects London and Edinburgh. With over 30 high speed trains running every day, it s easy and quick to get around the country. Durham is just 10 minutes by train from Newcastle Central Station and York just one hour away. First TransPennine Express also connects the north of England, with journey times to the main cities all within a few hours. thetrainline.com A 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kielder Water Kielder Forest A66 A69 5 A697 Wark Forest 7 One square represents approximately 12.5 miles or 20 kilometres Scotland England The Cheviot Hills B C D E Northumberland National Park A6 6 Berwick upon Tweed Berwick upon Tweed A69 A697 A1 A696 Hadrian s Wall Hexham Corbridge Hexham Harwood Forest Yorkshire Dales National Park A697 Barnard Castle A69 A67 Holy Island Sands Holy Island of Lindisfarne A697 8 A66 A1 A1 A692 A691 Alnwick A1 A1 A693 A6072 A1068 A19 Newcastle upon Tyne Consett Alnmouth Ashington Morpeth Newcastle International Airport 9 A189 63 Chester le-street 56 Farne Islands 8 6 Durham Blyth Angel of the North Sunderland Durham Castle and Cathedral Newcastle Central Station A167 59 A1(M) 62 A1(M) 61 Bishop Auckland 60 Newton Aycliffe 58 Darlington Newbiggin by the Sea A19 Whitley Bay Tynemouth A66 South Shields A1018 Seaham A19 9 Stockton on Tees 57 Darlington Durham Tees Valley Airport A179 Hartlepool 9 A17 A172 A66 Middlesbrough Middlesbrough North Sea A171 North York Moors National Park
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