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Category: Hadrian’s Wall Walk

June 28, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration 9 – Chesters

I am not going to write full histories of all these wonderful sites – there are many others who do that far better than me. This is an English Heritage Fort at NY911705, with website. Welcoming shop and an excellent cafe. In AD 124 a turret on the Wall was demolished to make way for this new fort, on the west bank of the Tyne, and a 500 man cavalry unit was stationed here. In AD 138 we know that an infantry unit, the 1st Cohort of Dalmatians, was stationed here. 40 years later, the Second Asturians (‘ala II Asturum’),...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/Northumberland Comments: 0
June 27, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration 8 – Wallsend, Segedunum

Before I move South to Derby, I want to put various other Hadrian’s Wall sites on my blog. On Saturday 18 June we arranged to meet our friends at Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend – website. This is where I ended my Wall Walk (did I mention I walked the Wall?), but I didn’t do the Museum. This time we started in the café, then went up to the Observatory. They have a good AV presentation which shows how the landscape has changed. We did the Roman gallery, which has some good items and some  nice AV which brings people...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/Newcastle upon Tyne Comments: 0
June 17, 2016

Celts, Carmichael and some railway films

If you are in Edinburgh (or can get there before September) I urge you to visit the wonderful Celts Exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland – website. Julie and I went last Monday – did half the exhibition in about an hour, had coffee, then did the other half. A marvellous collection of items from across Europe. As photography isn’t allowed, here are three photos lifted from websites – both with a Roman connection to fit the (current) theme of this blog. “A souvenir of Hadrian’s Wall” – the inscription on this bowl commemorates some of the forts...
Categories Derbyshire/Hadrian's Wall Walk/Northumberland/Personal/Railway History Comments: 0
June 16, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration 7 – Newcastle Castle

My Monday walk (see the last blog) continued as I walked beside the Tyne and then climbed up to All Saints Church. It was built between 1786-89 and the spire was added in 1796. The architect was David Stephenson of Newcastle (1757-1819). It is now on the Buildings at Risk register – website. Although the noticeboard talks about the Old Catholic Church, their website makes no mention of worship in this church. It was firmly locked. Good view across to the Sage. I threaded my way under the railway viaduct and found Holy Jesus Hospital. It was built in...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/Newcastle upon Tyne/Railway History Comment: 1
June 11, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration 6 – Great North Museum

On Monday 6 June Hannah and Julie wanted to hit the shops. I left them in Eldon Gardens and walked up to the Great North Museum. The  Armstrong statue outside is quite impressive. In the Museum, which was known as The Hancock when we first got here, there were lots of children on school trips, but they were not in the Roman Gallery. I like the strip map of Hadrian’s Wall, but it could be more colourful and give more information. The collection of altars and other stone work is impressive – I have photoed a selection. I wonder...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/Newcastle upon Tyne Comments: 2
June 3, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Walk 11 – Newcastle to Wallsend

On Bank Holiday Monday 30 May I caught the 0812 from Hexham to Newcastle. The signal box is Grade II and was built in 1896. When they re-signal the line please can I buy the ‘box? It would be wonderful in the garden! Hexham station dates to 1835, and this is an excuse to include Carmichael’s wonderful painting of it. The railway bridge is being replaced over the next six weeks – it will be chaos in Hexham while the bridge is shut. The train was busy as the Northumberland Show is on at Stocksfield. Before that I photoed Riding...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/Newcastle upon Tyne/Railway History Comments: 2
May 26, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration 5 – Whitley Castle Roman Fort

I have included the South Tynedale Railway – website – in previous blogs. It is a special line for me as Gareth drove diesel trains here. Here he is, in his element (7 June 2012). I came for a visit, to meet Clare (the mum of one of my Godsons), and we had a train ride to Kirkhaugh. It was a beautiful day for a train ride, and a beautiful day for a walk. We walked out of Kirkhaugh station and climbed up to the main road, then joined the Pennine Way. Clare had done this many years ago, but...
Categories Cumbria/Hadrian's Wall Walk/Personal/Railway History Comments: 0
May 26, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Walk 10 – Heddon-on-the-Wall to Newcastle upon Tyne

On Monday 23 May I caught the 0720 bus from Hexham police station through to Heddon-on-the-Wall. At Hexham bus station a Go-Ahead bus leaves just in front of this Stagecoach and they leapfrog their way to Newcastle. In what sane and sensible world does this make sense? I started walking at NZ134670 before 0800. It was a beautiful morning. There is a little park in the village given in memory of the Knott sons – see my blog of St James and St Basil in Fenham. The track follows the Vallum ditch, then down to the into the village. There...
Categories Cathedrals/Hadrian's Wall Walk/Newcastle upon Tyne/Northumberland/Railway History Comments: 0
May 20, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Walk 9 – Chesters to Heddon-on-the-Wall

On Monday morning (16 May 2016) I caught the 0910 AD122 bus to Chesters. Hexham bus station is due to be replaced next year, so it is a mess. I eventually found the right stop by reading all the timetables and seeing which one mentioned it. The other notice in the timetable case is currently advertising a public meeting about the new bus station … held last May. Why is it that the powers-that-be spend a fortune on rebranding all the Hadrian’s Wall buses, glossy timetable leaflets, maps and advertising – but can’t manage an A4 poster saying “AD122...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/Northumberland Comments: 2
May 11, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Walk 8 – Housesteads to Chesters

Tuesday 10 May – let’s have another few hours walking. I drove to Housesteads – NY794684 – and parked by 0845. I walked up to the Fort and turned right. Am I the only one who wonders whether men and women toiling up and down the hill to get to the Fort and the Vicus wondered why they built it there? I’m told that one suggested translation of Vercovicium is “hilly place”. This is the Wall as it leaves the fort, and it heads down hill to Knag Burn Gateway. This gateway is rare – one of only a...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/Northumberland Comments: 0