Day 1 of Hadrians Wall walk.

Segedunum, Wallsend to Elswick

7.5 miles on the wall path: 76.5miles to go!

We started at Segedunum which was an interesting place to visit and even saw the end part of the wall which I wasn’t expecting!

Today’s walk took us through from the old ship building areas of Newcastle into the central hub of the city. Under all of the bridges and along the Tyne River for most of the way.

We detoured off the path in the centre for a pint in the oldest pub in Newcastle the Old George Inn, which is reported to have had Charles 1 regularly visit during his stay in an open prison nearby. It dates from 1582.

It was an easy and pleasant walk. We finished at a Sicilian bar (Liosi’s) on the banks of the Tyne

We had left Gandalf at Barry and Alison’s (check bottom of this post for detailed logistics of the day)

and Barry picked us before reuniting us with Gandalf and us heading to our first official

Campsite for day 1 and day 2– High Hermitage Caravan Park.

The campsite is nicely set out and we’ve gone for a fully serviced pitch. The only downside is there is one shower per gender and it’s quite a large site. However it’s clean and hot water so we will just factor than in in the morning!

Day 2 of Hadrian’s Wall walk

Elswick to Heddon on the Wall

9 miles on the wall path: 67.5 miles to go!

Today we awoke early and had a slow but calm start to the morning. Packed lunch made, Gandalf chores ticked off, at 09:50 our Uber pet arrived for the journey back to Elswick, Newcastle. We were back on the wall path by 10:20am!

We walked along the river and then through some parkland heading out of the city. We detoured off the path to see some Roman turret ruins at Denton and even walked a little way on the old course of the wall. there is now a housing estate over this area of town but many of roads have roman inspired names.

We had a swift drink at the Vallum pub which resembled a social club but had very cheap prices! Before rejoining the path onto a disused railway line towards Newburn.

Here we rejoined the river path, not before having a drink along water row.

Once we pulled away from the river once more, the path climbed over a golf course and up a hill to Heddon on the Wall where we got to see great views and a wonderful stretch of wall.

This marked the end of today’s walk, which with the detour up to Denton took us to 11.5 miles today so naturally we had a drink in both pubs in Heddon- The Swan and The three tuns. It had been a great walk and although we are tired, we are looking forward to the next bit each time.

🔽 Logistics bit 🔽

Day 1

Segedunum, Wallsend to Elswick

7.5 miles on the wall path: 76.5miles to go!

OS day 1 map link here

We left our van at our friends house and got the metro in to Wallsend (£7.60 for two singles) and a lift back to them afterwards. However before we realised that was an option we had planned to park near to Liosi’s Sicilian Cafe and bar (Elswick) off of Scotswood rd (The A695).

Plenty of free and safe looking parking and close to the Hadrian’s Way path.

After our days walk, we drove 20 mins to High Hermitage Country Park Caravan park, in between Wylam and Ovingham, where we’ll stay for 2 nights.

We went for a fully serviced pitch at £30 pn during August.

Day 2

Kept campervan at campsite. *

*it is possible to stay in a motorhome/campervan in the carpark of The Swan in Heddon- providing you eat in pub. We chose not to as we knew we’d want a shower and for us in our vw this wouldn’t be appropriate in the car park of the pub!

OS Day 2- map link here

➡️ Transport to start of walk ➡️

UBER pet pre booked at 10:00 from campsite to Elswick (Liosi’s bar and cafe). £28 and 20 mins journey.

We could have travelled via bus which would have been:

10 mins walk from campsite to PIPER ROAD stop. Catch 684 Tynedale Links to THROKLEY ROAD stop. Change bus and walk 5 mins to NEWBURN ROAD SAINSBURYS. Catch bus to WILLIAM ARMSTRONG DRIVE- MONARCH RD

(1 hr 5 mins total- £4pp single)

⬅️ Transport back to Gandalf the VW Campervan ⬅️

Finish walk at Heddon on the wall. Bus stop opposite THREE TUNS PUB. An hourly bus (658 Tynedale links) comes to PIPER Road – a 10 min walk back to campsite (although our driver kindly dropped us outside campsite gates!)

Cost for return £2 pp- no charge for dog.

Stay tuned for Part 2- Heddon on the Wall to…………