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Hadrians wall - quick visit

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NewBoyoDano 20 Nov 2012
Thinking of visiting Hadrian’s wall this coming weekend, current curriculum topic for my daughter being the Romans (what have the Romans ever done for us eh?!) but not sure if I should simply head straight north from me to Carlisle, or angle more East towards Northumberland.

Anyone recently visited the wall or done something similar with children? Any tips on the best place aim for easy wall sights?

Ta
NewBoyoDano 20 Nov 2012
In reply to NewBoyoDano:

No sooner had I posted - I found this

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/birdoswald-roman-fort...

Panic over, you can log off UKC now.

 Welsh Kate 20 Nov 2012
In reply to NewBoyoDano:

Birdoswald is ok, Housesteads is better, there's more to see (including a Roman toilet) and the wall is more spectacular in that area.
 Lankyman 20 Nov 2012
In reply to NewBoyoDano: Birdoswald is OK but I would definitely recommend Vindolanda (and the nearby Roman Army Museum) http://www.vindolanda.com/ You can get joint tickets that reduce the cost of visiting both but you need to buy at the time. Housesteads is probably the best preserved fort but it's really exposed and could be quite wild if the weather is kicking in. Chesters Fort, further east at Chollerford has an interesting museum but probably less so for youngsters?
 Welsh Kate 20 Nov 2012
In reply to Karl Lunt:
"Housesteads is probably the best preserved fort but it's really exposed and could be quite wild if the weather is kicking in"

If you want really exposed, go to Hardknott in the Lakes!
NewBoyoDano 20 Nov 2012
In reply to Karl Lunt & Welsh Kate

Housestead looks great - it's just trying to do that in a day as it's a little further from me. I'm in Bolton. Suppose I could wildcamp the night before. Hmmm food for thought there.

Thanks guys,
 Rollo 20 Nov 2012
In reply to Karl Lunt:
> I would definitely recommend Vindolanda (and the nearby Roman Army Museum) http://www.vindolanda.com/

Yes this! You can even pop down the road and see the Sycamore Gap - "Robin Hood Tree" from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves!
 paulmitch 20 Nov 2012
In reply to NewBoyoDano: I would definitely recommend a visit to Housesteads; it is a spectacular location. There is a YH and camp site within a five minute drive, and more importantly a pub! Vindolanda and Birdoswald are also easily accessable.
http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/once-brewed
http://www.winshields.co.uk/
http://www.twicebrewedinn.co.uk/home.html
KevinD 20 Nov 2012
In reply to NewBoyoDano:

the central section is definitely the best. Carlisle end is somewhat limited from what i recall (walked it a couple of years back) in terms of Roman remains.
Housesteads is definitely one of the nicest bits to walk along.
NewBoyoDano 20 Nov 2012
In reply to paulmitch:

Perfect - camping it is.

Thanks everyone
 thebrookster 20 Nov 2012
In reply to paulmitch:

And I can give the twicey a thumbs up!! They do good food, a decent selection of ales and a rum collection that has to be seen to be believed!! I have drank, eaten and stayed there before, but it can be a bit nippy if you are of the habit of nipping out for a ciggy
 Welsh Kate 20 Nov 2012
In reply to thebrookster:
Do they still have the original table-top 20p a go Space Invaders machine?
 thebrookster 20 Nov 2012
In reply to Welsh Kate:

I am afraid I don't know, I have not been for a wee while now! I only met the twicey because it is my father's local, and I have a tendency to ignore gaming machines anyway (tried em, and always lost!!)
 David Myatt 21 Nov 2012
In reply to NewBoyoDano: Had two trips to the wall this summer/autumn with my daughter. Housesteads and Vindolanda were good, but Chesters was her favourite.

20p used to buy a pint at Twice Brewed, but that was in '73....
 graeme jackson 21 Nov 2012
In reply to Rollo:
> (In reply to Karl Lunt)
> [...]
>
> Yes this! You can even pop down the road and see the Sycamore Gap - "Robin Hood Tree" from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves!

Ah yes, Sycamore gap. easily reached in a days walk from the white cliffs (on your way to nottingham - which turns out to be carlisle castle anyway).

Morgan freeman asks which way is Mecca, Costner points north west. i won't be asking him for directions anytime soon.

skarabrae 21 Nov 2012
In reply to paulmitch: winshields campsite has good facilities
the twice brewed pub has great beers & is 5 min walk from campsite, you have to have the bellypork & black pudding, its great!
chesters fort at chollerford is 10-15min drive away, worth a trip.
& you can even check out peel crag & crag lough (tho it`ll be a tad chilly to climb em).enjoy your trip.
 Lankyman 21 Nov 2012
In reply to graeme jackson:
> (In reply to Rollo)
> [...]
>
(on your way to nottingham - which turns out to be carlisle castle anyway).
>
and Aysgarth Falls are in Sherwood Forest too, very strange!

 Mark F 22 Nov 2012
In reply to NewBoyoDano:

Housesteads is great but I think Vindolanda is more appealing to children because they have reconstructed various parts of the site. There is a section of wall with rampart, temple, house/workshop, also a small but brilliant museum which contains examples of leather shoes, as well as copies of the famous 'Vindolanda tablets' (the originals are in the British Museum, I think). These wooden tablets were the Roman equivalent of postcards and post-it notes and contain messages on all kinds of day-to-day stuff, such as requests for more beer for the troops and an invitation to the commander's wife's birthday bash.

The Roman Army Museam at Greenhead is also worth a visit. There is a well-preserved section of wall nearby which makes an excellent walk if you have time.

http://www.vindolanda.com/Home.htm

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