Hadrian’s Wall: heritage, natural wonders and innovative tastes in northern England

Northern England’s Roman frontier isn’t just ancient history, it’s where your clients can trace 2,000 years of engineering, culture and innovation, using Northumberland and Tyne and Wear as hubs with easy access to towns and villages along Hadrian’s Wall. Spring brings the first outdoor adventures and local fresh produce to enjoy. Here, clients can step between eras: from stargazing inns in Dark Sky reserves and Anglo-Saxon distilling to museums, award-winning restaurants and chic hotels. Experience first-hand how the region blends ancient history with contemporary design and modern comfort.

Northumberland

Hadrian’s Wall cuts through some of Northumberland’s most atmospheric landscapes including ancient forests, heather moorland and rugged crags – all easily reached from the market town of Hexham. In spring, clients can explore the former Roman frontier without the summer crowds, visit abbeys and museums at a slower pace, and sample the season’s produce in pubs and fine-dining spots. Add in scenic walks, stargazing and heritage experiences for an adventure-packed spring get-away.

Photo by: Battlesteads Hotel & Restaurant/Martin Kitchin

A dark sky observatory lit up at night under the sky.

What to do

Hadrian’s Wall
Running for 73 miles (117 km) from coast to coast, Hadrian’s Wall is one of Britain’s most striking Roman remains. Built as an initial attempt to secure the Roman Empire’s north-west frontier, it is said to have inspired the towering ‘Ice Wall’ in Game of Thrones. Clients can explore short sections that link towns and villages, such as Hexham and Wallsend, or tackle longer stretches that lead past milecastles and Roman bridges. Key stops include Housesteads, with its barracks and granaries, and Vindolanda, where a Visit England Gold Award-winning visitor experience lets clients watch live archeological excavations and explore artefacts through interactive displays in the on-site museum, from leather shoes to ancient ink tablets. The Roman Army Museum offers an insight into garrison life, while Steel Rigg is a prominent viewpoint, offering vistas of the wall and Northumberland’s landscapes, including glacial lake, Crag Lough.
Getting there: Clients can reach Housesteads Roman Fort and Vindolanda from Newcastle, with the journey taking around one hour 15 minutes. From Hexham, the route takes around 30 minutes.
Hexham
Hexham makes an ideal base for exploring Hadrian’s Wall, with its abbey – founded in 674 AD – still housing a Roman-stone crypt. The town centre mixes Georgian streets with independent shops and a lively farmers’ market showcasing Northumberland’s fresh produce, while Hexham Old Gaol offering a dive into medieval justice. Clients can stroll through Sele Park, browse Queen’s Hall Arts Centre and wander down to Tyne Green before heading out to nearby Roman forts like Housesteads, Vindolanda and Chesters. In late April, lovers of literature can visit the annual Hexham Book Festival (24 April to 3 May 2026), which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026.
Getting there: Hexham is just over an hour by train from Newcastle Airport, with frequent services via Newcastle Central station. By car, the drive takes around 50 minutes.
Hexham Abbey, Hexham
Travel back in time to the beginnings of Christianity in England at Hexham Abbey. Its 7th century Saxon Crypt – built from stones taken from a nearby Roman fort – is one of Britain’s most ancient places of worship. Clients can, quite literally, step back into history on the Night Stair – 35 worn stone steps rising from the south transept, used by the clergy since the 13th century. Clients can delve deeper into the history of the site at the interactive The Big Story exhibition before admiring the stained-glass windows and restored chancel paintings.
Getting there: Hexham is just over an hour by train from Newcastle Airport, with frequent services via Newcastle Central station. By car, the drive takes around 50 minutes.
Stargazing at Twice Brewed Inn, Hexham
Set beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park, one of Europe’s largest Dark Sky Parks, the Twice Brewed Inn hosts evening stargazing sessions with high-powered telescopes run by astronomers from Kielder Observatory. Clients can spot planets, star clusters and constellations before settling down with house-brewed ales or locally sourced pub classics. The inn also offers guest rooms for those wanting to combine stargazing with daytime exploration of the wall the next morning.
Getting there: Hexham is just over an hour by train from Newcastle Airport, with frequent services via Newcastle Central station. By car, the drive takes around 50 minutes.

Where to eat

Restaurant Hjem, Hexham
Restaurant Hjem matches Scandinavian cooking techniques with Northumberland produce. A joint project from Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori and Northumberland-born Ally Thompson, the Michelin-starred tasting menus rotate with the seasons, showcasing local Northumberland farms and foraged ingredients. Hidden away in a pub named The Hadrian at Wall, its minimalist, 24-cover dining room keeps the focus on flavour, while the neighbouring rooms allow clients to stay overnight after a relaxed meal.
Getting there: Hexham is just over an hour by train from Newcastle Airport, with frequent services via Newcastle Central station. By car, the drive takes around 50 minutes.
Milecastle Inn, Haltwhistle
Sitting close to Great Chester Fort, the traditional Milecastle Inn offers hearty dishes made from Northumberland produce, cask ales and open-fire cosiness. Think exposed stone walls, wood paneling and mantelpieces decorated with hop garlands. Its menus include handmade pie of the day, beer battered fish with hand-cut chips, and a selection of burgers. It is conveniently placed for walkers tackling the central section of Hadrian’s Wall, between Steel Rigg and Walltown. In Spring, clients can watch the lambs grazing in nearby fields and make the most of longer daylight-hours for late-afternoon pub stops.
Getting there: It is a 20-minute drive from Hexham to Haltwhistle.
Bēodern at Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery, Wooler
Ad Gefrin is a combined museum, distillery and dining hub that pairs Anglo-Saxon courtly history with cutting-edge sustainability. The museum brings the royal court of Northumbria’s Golden Age (circa 600AD to 800AD) to life through artefacts, film and reconstructed feasting halls. Begin with dinner at the on-site restaurant, Bēodern, where seasonal menus and traditional Sunday roasts spotlight local Northumbrian produce. After eating, clients can tour the working distillery and gain an insight into its low-impact, locally sourced production methods, before tasting some of its single malt whisky.
Getting there: The journey to Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery, in Wooler, from Newcastle takes around one hour and 15 minutes by car. From Hexham, the drive takes around 50 minutes.

Where to stay

Langley Castle Hotel, Hexham
Clients can step into history – and a bit of luxury – at Langley Castle, where overnight stays are inside a genuine 14th century fortress, complete with battlements, medieval windows and thick stone walls. The main castle houses nine rooms, some with four-poster beds, window seats set into seven-foot-thick walls, and private touches such as a sauna, spa bath or fireplace. Within the grounds, Castle View offers 19 additional rooms, many with views of the main castle. The fine-dining restaurant celebrates Northumberland’s spring larder, featuring local lamb, venison, wood pigeon, seasonal vegetables, and cheese from nearby dairies. Clients can also book castle tours, explore woodland trails, or use the hotel as a base for visiting Hadrian’s Wall.
Getting there: Hexham is just over an hour by train from Newcastle Airport, with frequent services via Newcastle Central station. By car, the drive takes around 50 minutes.
Battlesteads, Wark
Located in the Northumberland village of Wark, on the edge of the Kielder Water and Forest Park, Battlesteads is a former 18th century coaching inn with 22 rooms, a restaurant, and its own Dark Sky Observatory. One of only two hotels in Northumberland to hold a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme which focuses on sustainable practices, the site is carbon-neutral, powered by solar panels and a biomass boiler, and grows vegetables in on-site polytunnels for its seasonal menus. In spring, clients can join guided evening astronomy sessions or explore nearby Hadrian’s Wall and Kielder Forest by day.
Getting there: Battlesteads is around 50 minutes by car from Newcastle Airport. From Hexham, it is a 40-minute drive.

More information for the Travel Trade

Visit Northunberland: Visit Northumberland | Places to Visit in Northumberland | Visit Northumberland

Hadrian’s Wall: Explore Hadrian’s Wall | Visit Northumberland | Visit Northumberland

Tyne and Wear

Tyne and Wear provides an urban gateway to Hadrian’s Wall, with Roman sites, riverside walks and standout food experiences. The region’s major hubs, Newcastle/Gateshead and Sunderland, anchor the region: Newcastle/Gateshead offer hidden tunnels, illuminated kayak trips on the Tyne and a thriving dining scene shaped by local producers, while Sunderland provides cultural attractions, coastal walks and links to Hadrian’s Wall’s eastern stretches. Easy access is guaranteed, with Newcastle Airport just 25 minutes from Newcastle city centre by Metro.

Photo by: NGI/ Angela Carrington

A woman and a man walk along a riverside with iconic buildings and a bridge beyond

What to do

Victoria Tunnel Tours, Newcastle
Clients can go underground on a tour of the Victoria Tunnel, a 19th century wagonway that later sheltered Newcastle residents during World War II. Expert guides lead visitors through its dark, echoing passages, where atmospheric soundscapes recreate air-raid sirens, planes overhead and first-hand memories from the Blitz. The mix of storytelling and immersive audio brings the city’s industrial and wartime history to life beneath the streets.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle Airport, with Newcastle city centre just a 25-minute Metro-ride away.
CBK Adventures, Newcastle
Make a splash in Newcastle. CBK Adventures gets clients onto the River Tyne, paddling beneath Newcastle’s bridges or exploring the coves of the Northumberland coast. Guided kayaking and stand-up-paddleboarding lessons introduce urban paddling, while night-time Quayside Glow outings in an illuminated kayak reveal the sparkling spectacle that is Newcastle after dark. The Tyne Bridges and Quayside experience lets clients paddle beneath Newcastle’s seven bridges and enjoy front-row views of riverside life from the water level. All equipment is provided.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle Airport, with Newcastle city centre just a 25-minute Metro-ride away.
Taste of Newcastle Food Tour, Triple A Food Tours, Newcastle
Starting at the Grey Monument on Grainger Street, Triple A Food Tours guided walk ‘A Taste of Newcastle’ weaves through Newcastle’s vibrant food scene, introducing clients to artisan bakers, cheese mongers, craft brewers and other local favourites – such as freshly caught oysters from the Lindisfarne Islands and street food at Grainger Market. Alongside tastings, guides share cultural insights and stories about the North East’s culinary traditions. Clients can buy tickets for this 1.3-mile foodie walk via the VisitBritain Shop, which includes all food and drink offered during the tour.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle Airport, with Newcastle city centre just a 25-minute Metro-ride away.
Newcastle Street Food Tour, Newcastle Tour Company
If your clients want a proper taste of Newcastle, the Newcastle Street Food Tour is a flavour-packed way to start. Spread over three hours with at least five tasting stops, the guided walk begins at Grey’s Monument, winds through Grainger Town and the historic Grainger Market, dips into the High Bridge Quarter, and finishes in Quayside – with British, Asian and Caribbean flavours all on the menu. Beyond street food, Newcastle Tour Company offers a variety of themed walks, from True Crime Tours to Pub Tours. For the travel trade, the company designs bespoke packages, including tours to sites along Hadrian’s Wall, that can include multilingual guides, flexible bookings and curated full-day itineraries.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle Airport, with Newcastle city centre just a 25-minute Metro-ride away.
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, Sunderland
Climb 76 steps to the top of Souter Lighthouse – the world’s first purpose‑built electric lighthouse (1871) – for sweeping North Sea views, then explore the engine room and historic foghorn house for a taste of British coastal life. On the Leas, an area of coastal parkland that stretches from South Shields to Souter Lighthouse, a two-and-a-half-mile (4km) stretch of cliff‑top path winds past Marsden Rock and Trow Rocks, ideal for birdwatching and stargazing. When hunger strikes, the Lighthouse Café serves fresh coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle Airport, with Sunderland city centre just a 50-minute Metro-ride away.
National Glass Centre, Sunderland
Clients can step into molten history at the National Glass Centre, Britain’s hub for glass‑making rooted in Sunderland’s centuries‑long tradition. Join glassmaking and flameworking demonstrations (Mondays to Saturdays), where expert glassblowers shape art before your clients’ eyes. For those who want more than watching, hands‑on workshops let participants cast their own creations. The building itself is striking: a vast structure of steel with a 3,250 square metre walkable glass roof. Inside, the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art rotates cutting‑edge exhibitions, while the Glass Yard café serves breakfast and lunch. Clients can pick up souvenirs at the gift shop showcasing pieces by local and international artisans.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle Airport, with Sunderland city centre just a 50-minute Metro-ride away.

Where to eat

Blackfriars Restaurant, Newcastle
Housed in a 13th-century friary in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, Blackfriars is considered one of England’s oldest purpose-built dining rooms. Its vaulted ceiling, stone walls and timbered interiors create a historic backdrop for cosy meals, from multi-course banquets to afternoon tea. Alongside dining, Blackfriars hosts a programme of seasonal events and cookery workshops – from ‘Murder Mystery Dinners’ to ‘Bread Making for Beginners’. Menus feature hearty regional produce and medieval-inspired dishes.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle Airport, with Newcastle city centre just a 25-minute Metro-ride away.
Mowgli, Newcastle
Mowgli Street Food offers a vibrant Indian street food experience in Newcastle. The new restaurant, which opened in spring 2025, is located at 8 Nelson Street, in the refurbished former Café Royal, a Grade II-listed building. Helmed by celebrity chef Nisha Katona, Mowgli features its signature small plates, from spiced tomato paneer and Goan fish curry to butter chicken. With seating spread across 3,798 square feet of basement, ground, and first floors, the site blends historic architecture with contemporary style.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle Airport, with Newcastle city centre just a 25-minute Metro-ride away.
SIX Rooftop at BALTIC, Newcastle
Located on the top floor of the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Newcastle, SIX Rooftop offers diners panoramic views across the Tyne bridges. The two AA Rosettes-winning restaurant’s philosophy focuses on highlighting north-east England producers through modern techniques and inventive flavour pairings. The signature ‘Taste of SIX’ menu comes in two options – ‘Sea and Land’ or ‘Plant’ for vegans – and can be enjoyed as part of the Chef’s Table experience, where diners witness the kitchen in action and get the chance to engage with the chefs in a private setting.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle Airport, with Newcastle city centre just a 25-minute Metro-ride away.

Where to stay

Dakota Newcastle
Set on St Ann’s Wharf, Dakota Newcastle gives clients front-row seats to the River Tyne. Inside, individually styled bedrooms follow a modern, minimalist design, while the Grand Deluxe Suite includes a steam shower, a roll-top bath and even a private butler service. Downstairs, The Grill puts seasonal produce at the centre of the plate, while the Dakota Bar, Champagne Room, Waterfront Terrace and Cigar Terrace offer a choice of evening hangouts.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle Airport, with Newcastle city centre just a 25-minute Metro-ride away.
Hotel Gotham, Newcastle
Opened in October 2025, Hotel Gotham brings the glamour of the ‘Roaring Twenties’ to the heart of Newcastle. Housed in the city’s grandest baroque revival buildings, with decor inspired by the decadence of the Jazz Age in the 1920s, the hotel combines marble-clad interiors, velvet furnishings and period lighting to create an atmosphere akin to those seen in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. Expect plush emperor beds, art deco detailing, and bathrooms with sparkling fittings. By night, guests can pop into the exclusive Club Brass for live jazz or sip signature cocktails in the speakeasy-style Fire Bar. The Siren Restaurant, with a farm-to-fork ethos, serves classic British dishes with a modern twist.
Getting there: The nearest international airport is Newcastle Airport, with Newcastle city centre just a 25-minute Metro-ride away.