Hadrian’s Wall Tours
Do you want to really see Hadrian’s Wall? We use either qualified Blue Badge guides or guides with specialist areas of expertise and all with bags of enthusiasm. These guides will be personalised for you, will be private, exclusive and tailor made to your requirements.
Come with us on a day tour or longer and really feel this outpost of the Roman Empire come alive. Build up the walls in your mind's eye, meet the people and smell their cooking. See beyond the mighty Roman military machine into the soldiers' real lives, loves and lavatories!
We can organise fun and informative tours of the World Heritage Site, which give you a chance to ask all the questions you like about Hadrian's Wall.
Take a walk along this 2,000 year old monument and see it come alive.
This is an essential day out in any holiday itinerary. Tours can be organised from the following places:
- The Lake District
- Carlisle
- Newcastle
- Edinburgh and Glasgow (via train to Penrith)
Available in one, two and three day tours and guided walks.
Please email us for more information and availability.
Accommodation booking service also available.
Hadrian's Wall Historical Information
When the Romans initially invaded Britain in 43AD, they had a treaty signed with Queen Cartimandua of the northern Brigantes tribe, effectively keeping them in the south and middle of England. However following the rebellion led by Queen Boudiccea in 60-1AD, the treaty broke down and northwards the Romans marched.
As they marched, they built a series of forts and roads, infrastructure to support the army on the move. One of these was the frontier at Stanegate - between Newcastle and Carlisle and just south of the current Hadrian's Wall. They conquered further north too, but never quite succeeded in completely quelling the Scottish tribes.
When Emperor Hadrian took over in 117 AD, he visited outlying areas of his empire and decided on a policy of consolidation rather than expansion as a better way to hold on to it. Where there were no natural borders, such as in Britain and Germany, he decided to build one. And so Hadrian's Wall was dreamt up.
The reasons for the wall are obviously a little more complicated than this and its purpose is hotly discussed - indeed scholars today are still changing their ideas as new archaeological finds are made.
Today, little remains of the wall in the built up areas of Carlisle and Newcastle - indeed even the well farmed areas in between have successively robbed stone from the wall until there was nothing left above ground. It is only when you get to the central wilderness area where arable farming is minimal and population low that large sections of the wall remain.
However the image of this ancient wall sweeping across the open, wild moorlands, with the remains of forts and milecastles is very evocative. You can almost hear the ancient stamp of military feet and the bustle and smell of small garrison towns in this border region that has been fought over for many hundreds of years.
Touchstone Tours awaken the memories of Hadrian's Wall and help you to see the real people hidden in the depths of time.
