Vindolanda reconstructed fort

Here is the reconstructed Roman fort at Vindolanda. Great for kids but also for adults.

Vindolanda reconstructed fort

Circular huts along Hadrians Wall

Apparently circular huts were not the usual style for Roman soldiers abroad and these are maybe an indication of Syrian or African troops along Hadrian's Wall.

Walkers who would like accommodation whilst exploring the Wall might like to look at our article on pet friendly cottages along the wall.

Cold winds along the Wall

What was it like up on the Wall when the bad weather came? Well i can promise you that now even with our warm field clothing it is bitter when that cold wind blows so goodness knows how the centurions managed nearly 2000 years ago.

Steel Rigg

Other useful reference for holidays along the wall.

Black Middens Bastle house

Black Middens Bastle house

In the isolated and remote Redesdale Valley just past Tarset lies this partly renovated ruin of a Bastle house.
There are no modern amenities out here and apart from the blacktop on the small road not much else has changed in this lonely part of Northumberland.

Gilsland and the long views

Gilsland.

Its the area around the town which we love so much. The long views with the Lake District in the background and of course the River Irthing and the gorge as it cuts it way to the sea.More info here.

Gilsland

Haytongate

Just before the Wall drops down to the Solway plain and with lovely views south to the Pennines and the Lake District hills you will find Haytongate.

View from Haytongate

POW camp 18

Just a little to the south of Hadrians Wall and Haltwhistle and along the valley of the South Tyne river you will find Featherstone Castle and the remains of POW camp 18.This dates back to the second world war and was used to house a number of fairly committed Nazis.

Memorial

 

North of the Wall

Sometimes it can be a struggle to imagine what the area around and to the North of the Roman Wall was like 2,000 years ago. With the traffic and tourists along the military road it can be anything but quiet and isolated.

Last week we travelled up to Kielder passing through Newcastleton and then cycled along the Lakeshore Way- 26 miles of beautiful scenery and very few people. The North shore in particular was very impressive and in the peace and quiet amongst the woods it was easy to imagine times past.

More details here.

Roman bath house at Vindolanda

One of the things which always amazes us about Vindolanda is the sheer number of insights into life in a Roman garrison town. These 2 pictures show the remains and information board for the Roman Bath house.