Hadrian’s Wall

The construction of Hadrian’s Wall began in 122 AD after Emperor Hadrian visited Britain. Historical experts believe that it took around six years to build with a team of 15,000 people.

It was built from coast to coast to guard the North-West frontier of the Roman Empire. As such, remains of forts can still be seen today, as well as rare Roman artefacts frozen in time.

With such an impressive attraction within reach from your Seacote holiday home, you’ll want to know how to get there! The closest fort (Birdoswald) is approximately a 1 hour and 4 minute drive away:

• Start at Seacote Caravan Park (Skinburness Rd, Silloth, Wigton, CA7 4QJ)
• Follow Skinburness Rd for 2.8 miles (7 minutes) to B5302
• Continue on B5302, and take the A596, A595, and A689 to Cycle Rte 72 in Brampton for 30.5 miles (50 minutes)
• Continue onto Cycle Rte 72 for 5.7 miles (11 minutes)
• Hadrian’s Wall (Brampton, CA8 7DD) will be on your right

Other forts of Hadrian’s Wall are also accessible from Seacote Caravan Park, including Vindolanda, Housesteads, and Chesters.

You can also see parts of Hadrian’s Wall by bus, but it may take a bit of forward planning! 

• The 185 bus runs from Monday to Saturday with three return journeys from Birdoswald.
• The 680 bus also runs from Monday to Saturday and stops at Chollerford, which is just a 10-minute walk from Chesters Roman Fort a little further on.
• The AD122 Hadrian’s Wall Country Bus is also worth looking into, as it runs all year round and stops at all the major Hadrian’s Wall attractions.

A trip to Hadrian’s Wall is the ideal day out for lovers of history and breathtaking views. Whether you’re looking to hike, cycle, or visit some of the key landmarks, Hadrian’s Wall is easily accessible from your Seacote caravan.

Hadrian’s Wall is an incredibly popular attraction, so there are plenty of parking facilities nearby. See below for the closest parking facilities to the forts nearest to Seacote Park:

• For Birdoswald: Just 200 metres away from the site is a car park with room for over 50 cars. You can find it at CA8 7DD.
• For Vindolanda: For free on-site parking, you can find the car park at Bardon Mill, Chesterholm Museum, at NE47 7AN.
• For Housesteads: Housesteads Roman Fort car park costs £3 for up to 3 hours, and then £2 for every additional hour. The postcode is NE47 6NN.
  
• For Chesters: There are 56 car parking spaces available at Chesters Roman Fort and Museum car park, which can be found at NE46 4EU.

Hadrian’s Wall spans over 70 miles, offering a wide array of viewpoints across Cumbria. You’ll be spoilt for choice in finding the best vista! Having said this, one of our top recommendations has to be Walltown Crags (Greenhead, Hexham, Northumberland, CA8 7JD). 

The ideal area for landscape lovers, this spot is just over one hour from Seacote — and the journey is certainly worth it. From here, you’ll be able to see the best-preserved sections of the wall and panoramic views that showcase the fortification’s sheer size and the craftsmanship that went into its construction back in 122 AD.

The best part is that Walltown Crags is completely free to enter, and you can visit at any daylight hour. Why not make the most of a sunny summer evening and look out across the countryside?

While the scenery along Hadrian’s Wall is a spectacular draw in itself, this heritage site also offers an array of facilities, amenities, and things to do that ensure a varied and engaging day out, any time of year.

Hadrian’s Wall Forts

Hadrian’s Wall once housed 16 major forts, 80 smaller milecastles, and two observation towers. Many of these forts are well-preserved today and can still be visited, and many have cafes and toilet facilities nearby.

• Birdoswald — Overlooking the stunning River Irthing valley, this fort is the closest to Seacote Caravan Park and can be explored using the directions given above. The visitor centre frequently hosts exhibitions, and there’s an on-site cafe for light bites.
• Vindolanda — The Vindolanda fort and the Roman Army Museum are just a 1 hour and 12 minute drive away and can be found at NE47 7JN. Here you can walk across the foundations of buildings, streets, and defensive structures, and also see what Roman life was like in the museum.
• Housesteads — A 1 hour and 13 minute drive away is Housesteads, which can be found at NE47 6NN. There is a museum and a gift shop on-site for snacks and souvenirs, as well as daily tours.
• Chesters — A little further ahead, Chesters Roman Fort is a 1 hour and 23 minute drive away from the caravan park and can be found at NE46 4EU. This is the most complete Roman cavalry fort in Britain and is home to well-preserved Roman baths, a tearoom, and a museum.

Due to its sheer size, Hadrian’s Wall has plenty of opportunities for hiking and cycling. 

• Walking: One of the most popular walks along Hadrian’s Wall is the 8-mile circular walk from Housesteads to Steel Rigg. You’ll get to see the Roman fort and the sweeping views of Northumberland National Park. The AD122 bus can even bring you back if you fancy a one-way route!
• Cycling: For an easy, family-friendly 8-mile cycle on a circular route, you can begin at Chesters Roman Fort Car Park (NE46 4EU) and head south towards the beautiful village of Humshaugh.
  
  Follow signs for Wark, and circle back north-east to Chollerford Bridge. Stop for a photo on the bridge, and loop back towards Chesters, or detour to Brunton Turret to see more of the wall.

Exploring Hadrian’s Wall will work up your appetite, so you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of places to stop and refuel along the way.

• Birdoswald — Stop at the on-site cafe serving a selection of soups, sandwiches, cakes, and drinks. There’s also a picnic area overlooking the orchard and River Irthing if you’d prefer to bring your own snacks!
• Vindolanda — There are two cafes on-site, one by the fort and museum, and one by the Roman Army Museum. Both serve up lunch dishes, cakes, biscuits, and hot and cold drinks. There are also plenty of picnic tables available.
• Housesteads — Enjoy everything from light bites like homemade Cumberland sausage rolls to ice cream at the Housesteads Cafe. You can also set up on a picnic bench with picnic blankets available in the summer!
• Chesters — There is an on-site tea room at Chesters Roman Fort, offering visitors soups, sandwiches, drinks, and traditional Singing Hinnies griddle cake.

Hadrian’s Wall spans over 70 miles, offering a wide array of viewpoints across Cumbria. You’ll be spoilt for choice in finding the best vista! Having said this, one of our top recommendations has to be Walltown Crags (Greenhead, Hexham, Northumberland, CA8 7JD). 

The ideal area for landscape lovers, this spot is just over one hour from Seacote — and the journey is certainly worth it. From here, you’ll be able to see the best-preserved sections of the wall and panoramic views that showcase the fortification’s sheer size and the craftsmanship that went into its construction back in 122 AD.

The best part is that Walltown Crags is completely free to enter, and you can visit at any daylight hour. Why not make the most of a sunny summer evening and look out across the countryside?