Hadrian's Wall, Housesteads and Vindolanda

This strenuous circular walk leaves from the The Sill Visitor Centre, some 11 miles along the B6318 Military Road west of Chollerford. The Sill can be reached by local bus services, or by car, with a £5 charge per day (payable when you leave). As you travel towards it, along the Military Road, note the ditch or Vallum on the left hand side.
The walk gives a good flavour of Hadrian's Wall, which we follow along the Whin Sill, the highest section of the Wall, and most of the ascent is undertaken here as the ground rises and falls on the edge of high north-facing crags. We walk as far as Housesteads, the best preserved fort on the Wall, dramatically situated on the cliff edge. We inspect the remains from outside the fort wall and enjoy views to north and south.
The original Roman frontier was the military road, which we cross on a south-westerly route along paths and minor roads to the remains of a nineteenth century lime kiln and then onto Vindolanda, one of several free-standing Forts which were used to police the frontier before the Wall was built. From there we follow rights of way to the west and north, again enjoying far-ranging views, to return to The Sill visitor centre for well-earned coffee and cake.
We will not enter either fort, but those who are interested enough to return independently, can do so by paying £9.50 at Housestead (plus £4 for parking) and £12.50 at Vindolanda.(parking free). There are tours at Housesteads, but possibly more interest at Vindolanda, if visited when ongoing digs are under way. There are museums and publications available at both sites.