Hadrian 'was the first to build a wall, eighty miles long, to separate the Romans from the barbarians'. (The Augustan Histories).

This is the sole surviving Roman comment on the reason for the building of Hadrian's Wall. The evidence is chiefly in the great wall itself, stretching from the Tyne to the Solway, linking a chain of forts, fortlets, turrets and 'mile-castles' with gates at intervals. It was built and manned by the Roman Army and its purpose was not to hold down a subject population but rather to protect the peaceful Roman hinterland from attack. In addition the story of the occupation of the wall is told in the wealth of excavated artefacts, monuments, letters and other documents.

In spite of its use as a quarry for many centuries the wall is still formidable. It was built by the legionaries, whose ranks included skilled craftsmen, as well as the ordinary soldiers experienced in the building of military fortifications. As they worked, they left records of who they were and we will see how and what they built and how they and the auxiliaries who manned the wall lived and fought.

Accompanied by Dr Adrian Goldsworthy, author and acknowledged expert on the Roman Army, we will learn more about the wall, walking along a section with magnificent views, to the fort at Housesteads. At Chesters we see the bath houses and bridge abutment, and learn more of life 'behind the lines' at the supply base at Corstopitum (Corbridge). We will explore wonderfully excavated civil settlement at Vindolanda and visit the forts at South Shields and Wallsend and the great Museum of the North in Newcastle.

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Friday): Meet at the George hotel, Chollerford. Depart 1400 to visit Corbridge; a good introduction to garrison life with its interesting excavations and excellent small museum. Dinner and overnight (3 nights) Introductory talk.
Day 2: Walk from Steel Rigg to Housesteads, the most complete Roman fort in Britain. Lunch break at Housesteads. The Milecastle at Poltross Burn, the Carvoran Mithraeum and the Cavalry fort at Chesters, close by the river.
Day 3: Drive along the line of the wall to Newcastle where we visit the Arbeia Fort, with its great re-constucted gateway, guarding the entrance to the Tyne; the bathhouse at Segedunum Fort and the Great North Museum with its many Roman artefacts and displays. In all these places Adrian will be on hand to help you get the most from these visits.
Day 4: To Vindolanda with its fort, wonderfully excavated civil settlement and museum. The excellent Carvoran museum, on the site of the fort built to guard the junction of the Stanegate with the route south, gives a last splendid view of this amazing structure. Return to our hotel to disperse by 1500.