Hadrian’s Wall Path 5 Spa National Trail Attracted by the health-giving The Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail properties of the springs, victorian opened in 2003. The 84 miles (135 km) day trippers made the spa a Trail gives access to the magnificent favourite destination for ‘taking Hadrian’s Wall countryside. the waters’. The smell of bad eggs 6 This leaflet is one of a series offering gives away their source - reserves short walks exploring the local network of sulphur, deep in the earth’s of paths around the Trail. crust. The original well was lost in For more information contact the a landslip but you can cross the National Trail Officer: bridge to visit the well rebuilt in 0191 269 1600 www.nationaltrail.co.uk the 1960’s. 9 Stepping Stones Hadrian’s Wall Country The can be crossed The Gilsland Spa Hotel is open to by large stepping stones, however non residents for food and drink. Spa The Romans found a more wooded the water level rises dramatically 5 landscape than we see today. Red after rain. If the stones are not kites flew overhead and the forest was Wardrew visible, return to the road and 7 a wild place with wolves, wild boar, red follow it back to Gilsland (route House deer and beavers. Some of this shown as dotted line). woodland was cleared as the Romans 2 Mumps Hall used a lot of timber in buildings and In the lawless years of the 16th Gilsland Spa 8 St Mary settlements along the wall. and 17th centuries, ‘Mumps Ha’ Magdalene Hotel had a fearsome reputation as a den After the Romans left, the Wall was not of thieves and vagabonds. Chimney sweeper moths The hair lichen maintained. It was a long time before thrive on the grass verges. found growing in such a solid structure was attempted The romantic novelist, Sir Walter Their caterpillars feed trees is an indicator again in the area. When the Normans rthing Scott, visiting in 1797, based one on chervil. of clean air. iver I began to build churches, monasteries R of his characters on a particularly and manors, they often quarried the unpleasant landlady of Wall for its magnificent square-cornered Orchard stone. However, for over 300 years, the time. House into the 17th century, the area was wild and lawless, with Border reivers (raiders) threatening all who did not belong to their own extended families. 4 1 stepping Only after peace came to this border area stones did permanent houses become common. 9 6 Mumps Ha Irthing The Popping Stone Vast quantities of Wall stone can be House Clearly a romantic at heart, local found built into houses of this period. 3 legend says that Sir Walter Scott proposed to his sweetheart and Today, farmland and woodland offer a future wife, at the prominent rock beautiful landscape in which to enjoy beside the river, known ever since the history Hadrian left behind. Travel by bus Enjoy a bus ride to or as the Popping Stone. Map Key Gilsland for these circular walks. National Trail 1 The Hadrian’s Wall Bus (AD122) (section of) operates summer only and stops Route at Gilsland, Birdoswald and along very steep alder Gradient moderate school 2 the Wall on request. Road Bus route Services 185 and 685 operate throughout the year. Footpath Bridleway Details from Traveline Steep drop beside route long tailed During winter months many tel: 0870 608 2 608 Alternative route tits varieties of tits are attracted to mini com:01946 695 443 Gradient Key the riverside to feed on alder seed. web: www.traveline.org.uk Bus routes are shown on the map. Location point Telephone Access to road Parking Toilets Accessible toilet Gradient Profile Refreshments (cafe/public house) this is not drawn to a vertical scale Steps Cattle grid Bridge Kissing gate Signpost Gate (narrow) Gap stile Stepping stones 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 93 2 1 Perch/seat Path Surface school Irthing House bridge to Spa St Mary Magdalenestepping stones Gilsland Popping Stone Gilsland Spa Hotel Gilsland school View point Grass Step stile Firm even Picnic site Soft Scale: refers only to gradient profile Ladder stile Rough uneven

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le turret 48b s Wall Hadrian’s Walking 6 li Poltross Burn (remains of) 12 ar Willowford C milecastle 48 Farm turret 48a 1 school (remains of) (remains of) 10 TAKE CARE Harrow’s Scar Roman Bridge broad buckler-fern crossing the railway line milecastle 49 (remains of) Along this stretch (remains of) the Wall was built from sandstone and held together 8 9 with lime mortar. This is home Willowford Bridge to many lime-loving plants and maidenhair lichens. wall rue spleenwort Walking around Hadrian’s Wall Hadrian’s Wall (course of) 2 Poltross Burn Milecastle Gilsland and There was a small defensive Birdoswald 7 Vallum (course of) stronghold every Roman mile. up to 7 miles (11.2 kms) These milecastles held a small ing th ; number of soldiers who would Hadrian’s Wall (course of turf wall) Ir paths are easily damaged er have provided regular patrols Riv when wet, try one of the promoted circular paths, along the battlements, guarding especially in winter the northern boundary of 9 Willowford Bridge the vast Roman Empire. ; The new steel bridge carrying the try to use public transport Hadrian’s Wall National Trail was airlifted into place in 1999. For a ; 7 Birdoswald Roman Fort It was an important strategic site respect livestock and land period children crossed the river Birdoswald was one of 16 forts guarding the western flank of the using an aerial ropeway as a short- ; along the 85 mile length of Pennines and the Irthing Gorge. walking on the Wall may cut to school. Hadrian’s Wall. Garrisons of Legionnaires, mostly cause it to collapse Just upstream the abutments of foreign mercenaries, occupied the the Roman bridge emerge from the ; keep to signed footpaths barrack blocks. To discover more grassy field. The changing course visit the Fort with its Visitor ; keep dogs on a lead of the river over two millennia has Centre, tearoom, shop and left them high and dry. archaeological excavations.

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1 2 3 9 10 11 12 Poltross Burn 4 Mumpshall BridgeRod Beck 5 The Hill Harrow’6 7 8 W Roman Bridge W 1 school Milecastle Gilsland Birdoswald Bridgeillowford (remains of) Farmillowford school s Beck Roman Fort and Visitor Centre

Scale: refers only to gradient profile View over the Irthing valley (towards Willowford)