Enjoy a great walk through Hadrian’s Wall Country with the AD122 Bus

The AD122, the Hadrian’s Wall Country Bus, makes it easy to explore our Roman heritage and get out and about in some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. With eco-friendly buses, next stop announcements, stunning views and friendly drivers, the journey is part of the experience.

Here are some suggestions for walks and visits either as a family, with friends or just with your own company ! You can download the walks (http://hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/walking/walking-routes) and the bus timetable (http://hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/travel/bus) from the official Hadrian’s Wall website.

Chesters Fort and Humshaugh (start/finish at Chesters Fort - 15 minutes on the AD122 from ): an easy two and a half walking mile route that will take about an hour. Refreshments at the Crown Inn, Humshaugh, the George Hotel in or the refurbished tea rooms at Chesters Roman Fort. Include a visit to the Fort to see the newly updated information on site and in the charming and fascinating museum. Picnic by the banks of the Tyne where a Roman bridge once stood.

A Barbarian View of the Wall (start/finish at /The Sill – 35 minutes on the AD122 from Hexham, 15 minutes from station): a fairly strenuous three and a half mile walking route that will take about two hours, or a little more. The route follows the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail for part of the way, then takes you north into ‘Barbarian territory, giving you a different and spectacular view of the Wall snaking along the Crags to the south. Refreshments at the Twice Brewed Inn, The Sill (due to open late June 2017) or bring a picnic.

Hadrian’s Wall Classic (start/finish at Housesteads Car Park – 30 minutes on the AD122 from Hexham, 25 minutes from Haltwhistle station – alternative start/finish points at and Once Brewed/The Sill): a strenuous seven and a half mile walking route that will take around four hours, or a little more. The route takes you along the iconic central section of Hadrian’s Wall from Housesteads to Steel Rigg then loops south along the Roman road, past Vindolanda Roman fort with its amazing treasures, and back to Housesteads. Refreshments at Housesteads, the Twice Brewed Inn and The Sill (due to open late June 2017), plus at Vindolanda if you visit the site.

Cawfields to Caw Gap (start/finish at the Inn – 50 minutes on the AD122 from Hexham, 10 minutes from Haltwhistle station): a moderate two mile route that will take you about an hour, past some of the best preserved sections of the Wall and along the Roman Military Way. Refreshments at the Milecastle Inn.

Linear routes from Walltown Quarry (15 minutes from Haltwhistle Station) or Housesteads (30 minutes from Hexham): take the bus to either of these start points, then follow the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail along the line of the Wall as far east or west as you like, than catch the bus back from one of the intervening stops at the Milecastle Inn or Once Brewed/The Sill. The full route between Walltown Quarry and Housesteads is around 9 miles of strenuous walking so you should allow four to five hours, or around one and a half to two hours for each of the three sections. Don’t forget that the prevailing wind is from the West, so we’d recommend walking from West to East.

Roman Forts and Museums: use the bus to visit Chesters Roman Fort, Roman Vindolanda and the Museum. All these forts and museums are top rated on Tripadvisor! Just show your AD122 bus ticket and save 10% on admission.

Events: check out the events programme at http://hadrianswallcountry.co.uk/events and use the bus to travel to brilliant events across Hadrian’s Wall