Hadrian's Wall Country Bus : AD122

Part of the National Trail looking West.

This award winning bus service will soon be running for the 2018 Season in Hadrian's Wall country.

The AD122 Hadrian’s Wall Country Bus has carried thousands of passengers over the years to visit the historic sites along the route of the Wall.

The bus runs from Hexham to Haltwistle.

For much of the journey you will follow Hadrian's Wall and it calls at the main Roman Sites and Museums such as:

Chesters Roman Fort http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/chesters-roman-fort-and-museum-hadrians-wall/

Housesteads Roman Fort http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/housesteads-roman-fort-hadrians-wall/

Roman Vindolanda http://www.vindolanda.com/

Roman Army Museum, Walltown http://www.vindolanda.com

The service runs from 30th March 2018 to 30th September 2018. For more details go to: 
https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/ad122/

Timetablehttps://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_page_media/3498/AD122_leaflet_2018_spread_.pdf

Portgate to Heavenfield in pictures

Portgate to Heavenfield is a small part of Hadrian's Wall National Trail, a World Heritage site, it covers a distance of three and a quarter miles in the countryside of Northumberland. http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrianswall/

In this posting, I intend to describe the historical aspects of Hadrian's Wall in this part of the trail, and show pictures of the section as it is today.

Part of the Trail, looking West towards Heavenfield.

The trail can be found running parallel to the B6318 Military Road to the north of Corbridge. Although there are no remaining milecastles, turrets or the Wall itself to be seen above ground level, you can see good examples of parts of the Vallum (South side of Wall) and the Ditch (North side of Wall). The Roman Wall in this section lies directly underneath the B6318 Military Road.

Every season, there are approximately 10,000 walkers who will complete the trail in full or in sections. Various publications and maps are available which identifies the route to follow. For the walker on the trail, all they have to do is look out for the distinctive white Acorn sign and yellow and green way markers. These signs can be found on stiles, gates and finger posts along the route.

Example of Acorn sign and way marker  indicating route to follow.

Example of a Finger post at Heavenfield lay by.

Hadrian's Wall was 80 Roman miles (73.5 statute miles or 117 kilometres) long.

In Roman times, the unit of long distance mille passuum (literally "a thousand paces" in Latin, with one pace being equal to two steps) was first used by the Romans and denoted a distance of 1,000 paces or 5,000 Roman feet, and is estimated to correspond to about 1,479 metres (1,617 yards). This unit is now known as the Roman mile This unit spread throughout the Roman empire, often with modifications to fit local systems of measurement.

In total, there would have been three milecastles and seven turrets in this section of Hadrian's Wall:

Turret 22A (Under B6318 Military Road)                  
Turret 22B (Under B6318 Military Road)                 
Milecastle 23 (Visible as a platform)                        Ordnance Survey NY 975 689
Turret 23A (Under B6318 Military Road)                
Turret 23B (Under B6318 Military Road)                 
Milecastle 24 (Excavation/robber trenches)            Ordnance Survey NY 960 692 
Turret 24A (Under B6318 Military Road)                  
Turret 24B (No visible trace)                                  
Milecastle 25 (Visible as a low platform)                 Not on the Trail             
Turret 25A (Could be under B6318 Military Road)
 
Start of this Section (walking in a westerly direction). 

The Errington Arms Public House, Stagshaw, Corbridge.

The start of this section begins beside The Errington Arms Public House. This is a good place to visit for a meal or refreshment before starting, or completing this part of the Trail. www.erringtonarms.co.uk/  The stile to take you onto the path can be found in the car park to the left of the building.  

Start of the Section - The Errington Arms Car Park.

                                                                                   
The Portgate was a fortfied gateway, constructed as part of the Wall (Dere Street preceded Hadrian's Wall by around 50 years). It was built to control the traffic along Dere Street ( Now the A68 Road) as it passed through Hadrian's Wall. Its remains exist beneath the old B6318 Military Road to the south-west of the Stagshaw Roundabout (the B6318 was diverted slightly for the construction of the Stagshaw Roundabout, leaving two short sections of the existing road unlinked - the remains of the Portgate are buried beneath the western section).

Stagshaw Roundabout looking North.

 How the Portgate may have looked?  Reconstruction at Arbeia Fort.

Vallum.

Earthworks associated with Hadrian's Wall.

The Vallum is the huge earthwork, that ran from coast to coast on the South side of Wall. The distance of the Vallum from the Wall varies along its length.

The total width of the earthwork was 36 metres (100 feet).

It consisted of a North mound and South mound. The Vallum which was 6m wide and 3m deep, with a flat bottom. The North and South mound were 6m wide and 2m high.

 View showing North mound in foreground, Vallum and the South mound
 in front of the field fence line.

Further views of the Vallum on the trail going towards Stanley Plantation.

Milecastle 23 Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: NY 975 689.

The site of Milecastle 23 is to be found in a field before the trail passes into Stanley Plantation. Located in the 1930 excavations, it was found to have side walls which are ten feet thick and is probably of the long axis-type of construction. Today it is only visible as a platform in the pasture.

Site of Milecastle 23 - Ordnance Survey Reference: NY 975 689.

Site of Milecastle 23 - Ordnance Survey Reference: NY 975 689.

Stanley Plantation.

Stanley Plantation was a mature conifer plantation. Much of the plantation has now been felled. The trail through it runs parallel to the busy B6318 Military Road.

Gate into Stanley Plantation

The path through this area can become very wet and muddy in places, during the walking season. A great deal of work has been carried out by the National Trail Ranger on some of the problem areas.

Trail approaching remaining section of standing trees in Stanley Plantation



You will reach the highest point on the Portgate to Heavenfield section, whilst walking through Stanley Plantation. A Triangulation pillar is located on the verge of the Military Road at 268 metres above sea level. During the Summer months, it may be hidden from view by vegetation.

Ordnance Survey Grid Reference for the pillar is NY 973 690.

Triangulation pillar beside the trail in Stanley Plantation.

The views are stunning,  more can been seen due to the tree felling, there are places where you can look over the wall and see the wonderful views of the countryside to the North.

The view looking North from Stanley Plantation.

Work carried out on a wet and muddy section of Trail

Military Road Plantation.

This thinned out plantation runs parallel with the B6318, Military Road. This part of the trail has been laid in places with a flagstone walkway. Places where this does not exist can become very muddy. Lots of work has also been carried out on this part of the Trail by the Maintenance Ranger.

Trail passing beside Military Road  Plantation, looking West.

Evidence of stone quarrying.

On the trail before Milecastle 24, you can see evidence of stone quarrying in the fields beside the Vallum.

Quarry beside the trail Ordnance Survey Reference: NY 964 692.

Milecastle 24 Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: NY 960 692. 

The site of Milecastle 24 is also found in a field, just before the trail takes you across the busy B6318 Military Road. It can only be seen as a series of excavation or robber trenches. It was identified in 1930, as of the long axis-type of Milecastle, its walls being ten feet thick.

Site of Milecastle 24 - Ordnance Survey Reference: NY 960 692

Site of Milecastle 24 - Ordnance Survey Reference: NY 960 692

Milecastle 25 Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: NY 947 694.

This milecastle of broad wall construction, is now on private land,  it is not on part of the Trail. Part of it now lies under the B6318 Military Road and the rest can be seen as a low platform in the pasture.



Turrets.

In total along Hadrian's Wall there were 158 turrets. These were built on either side of a Milecastle, located about one-third of a Roman mile apart (500m or 540 yards).

No above ground structure can be seen relating to the following seven turrets in Section 7 of the trail: Turrets 22A, 22B, 23A, 23B, 24A, 24B and 25A. The majority of them are under the B6318 Military Road.

B6318 Military Road Crossing Point.

Up to this point, the trail would have been on the South side of Hadrian's Wall. Walkers will have to cross the road and then follow the trail on what would have been on the North side of the Wall.
It is easier to visualise, if you think of the road as the Wall, (the majority of it in this section is actually underneath the road.

Care should be taken when crossing this very busy road.

South Stile to B6318 road crossing.

B6318 Military Road looking West.

North stile after road crossing to take walkers back onto trail.

The Military Road or Wade's Road is so named because it was built by order of General Wade shortly after the 1745 Jacobite rising to provide a direct and easy passage for troops between Newcastle and Carlisle. Much of the road was built on top of the Wall.


Ditch.

Throughout the whole of its length, the Wall was accompanied on the Northern side by a ditch. It increased the comparative height of the Wall  and greatly added to its strength as a barrier. Even in the places where the Wall has disappeared, the ditch remains. 

Ditch Construction.

North side of Wall.

Consisting of counterscarp and berm.

Ditch 3m deep.

Section of ditch on trail, looking west towards Heavenfield.

Further views of the Ditch on the trail, going towards St. Oswald's Hill Head Head Farm and Heavenfield.

 St. Oswald's Hill Head Farm.

The tea room at the farm has now been converted into a holiday cottage, beside the Trail.
https://www.stoswaldsfarm.co.uk

St. Oswald’s Hill Head Farm,
Nr. Wall
Hexham, NE46 4HB

Holiday let contacts:

Tel:    01434 689015
Mob:  07944 503536

Holiday Cottage at St.Oswald's Hill Head Farm

Front of holiday cottage at St. Oswald's Hill Head Farm

Battle of Heavenfield.

Entrance to Heavenfield, looking West.

Trail passing through Heavenfield, looking West.

Heavenfield Lay by looking North to St. Oswald's Church.

The battle took place in AD635 or AD633 depending on the different sources and interpretations of the actual event.

The Welsh army under King Cadwallon and the Northumbrian army under Oswald met in battle beside the still standing Hadrian's Wall.

The Welsh were defeated, and Oswald was established as a Christian King of Northumbria.

St. Oswald's Church, Heavenfield.

 St. Oswald's Church

The present building is probably the third on the site of what is believed to be the location where King Oswald (604 -642) raised a large wooden cross before the Battle of Heavenfield (AD 635).

Foundations of a Saxon church were discovered by dowsing in the 1950s, this being succeeded by a mediaeval church replaced in 1817 with the present building.

Heavenfield Lay by, the end of this section of the trail.

Here, at Heavenfield, Oswald and his army were well situated to meet the Welsh, who were advancing up the old Roman road called Dere Street, which crossed the Tyne at Corbridge.

Oswald prepared for the conflict by placing a cross in the centre of the Battlefield and led his men into prayer for victory. The wooden cross in the lay by commemorates the victory.

Wooden Cross - End of section, Heavenfield Lay by.

Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail: Heavenfield to Portgate, walking East.

Walking East

This section of Hadrian's Wall National Trail covers a distance of three and a quarter miles (5.2 kilometres). It passes through Northumbrian grassland, with magnificent views to both the  North and South.

Heavenfield Layby.

The Military Road (B6318) will be on your right as you walk through Heavenfield. The path runs through grassland and in the middle of the field on your left you will see St.Oswald’s Church.

St. Oswald's Church, Heavenfield.

Heavenfield.

Walking through the grassland you will come to a gate, passing through the gate, you will come to St. Oswald's Hill Head Farm on your left. The Tea Room has been converted into
a holiday cottage.

St. Oswald's Hill Head Farm

Passing the Farm, the trail continues to run parallel with the B6318 Military Road. As there are no standing remains of the Wall in this section, you should imagine the road as being the Wall. Most of the remains are buried under the line of the road.

Trail at St. Oswald's Hill Head Farm

The trail continues, passing through two gates, the well defined Wall ditch can be seen on your left, filled with gorse bushes. Work has been carried out by the Trail Ranger to remove some of the gorse bushes at this point.

Wall ditch and trail.

At the top of this slight incline, there is a sharp left hand bend and a short uphill section to another gate.

Gate to next part of trail.

Walking again in grassland, the Wall ditch and road will now be on your right. This part of the trail follows a slight incline to the top of the field where you have to negotiate a stile underneath the boughs of a tree.

Stile.

The trail then follows level ground with the well defined section of Wall North ditch on your right.

Wall ditch, a well defined feature.

Reaching the highest point in this part of the trail, allows uninterrupted views of the countryside to the north and south. You now follow the path downhill to another stile.

Stile to next part of trail.

On your walk in this area of grassland you will see the well defined Wall ditch on your right.

Wall ditch.

The trail continues on a gradual uphill slope as you make your way to the steps to the B6318 Military Road Crossing.

Steps up to road crossing.

Care should be taken when crossing the B6318 Military Road. Vehicles travel very fast on the straight road.

After crossing the road you will follow the trail in grassland.

South side of road crossing.

Once in the grassland on your left, you will see the bumps and mounds in the ground which mark the site of Milecastle 24 - Ordnance Survey: NY960 692.

Site of Milecastle 24.

Passing Milecastle 24, it is a short walk to the next stile.

Stile beside site of Milecastle 24.

The trail carries on through rough pasture and levels out through an area of gorse bushes. The Vallum will be on your right hand side.

Trail.

At the end of this part of the trail, there are two stiles to negotiate the road crossing. Before crossing the road on your left there is evidence of stone quarrying.

Evidence of stone quarrying.

Road Crossing.

Once over the second stile, the Military Road Plantation will be on your right and the trail follows a slight incline on stone flags for part of the way, the path then reverts to grass.



Trail.

Trail.

At the end of this part of the trail there are two gateways to pass through before you enter Stanley Plantation. The gates were stolen sometime ago.

Gateways and Drove Road.

Once in Stanley Plantation, the trail rises steadily through the trees and vegetation. Much of the plantation has now been felled.

Section of Trail passing through Stanley Plantation.

The trail continues to go uphill, until you reach the highest point of the trail in this area. The highest point of the section is 268 metres above sea level – Ordnance Survey: NY973 690.

Triangulation Point.

Past the triangulation point, the trails levels out and you will come to the gate that will take you out of Stanley Plantation and back into grassland.

Gate out of Stanley Plantation.

Once into the grassland, on your left is the site of Milecastle 23 - Ordnance Survey: NY975 689. Its position can only be seen as a series of mounds and hollows in the grassland.

Site of Milecastle 23.

The trail now follows level ground, the Vallum is on your right filled with gorse bushes.

Trail and Vallum.

Trail and Vallum.

The Trail now continues downhill all of the way to Portgate. Passing through grassland you have to negotiate another stile. This stile and field fence has now been removed.

Stile and field fence has now been removed.

At the bottom of the field you have to cross a narrow road using the two stiles or newly installed gate:

Stile at road crossing.

Nearing the end of this section, the trail continues downhill through grassland, with the well defined Vallum on your right hand side.

View towards Portgate.

Another stile takes you into the last stretch of trail before the Car Park at the Errington Arms.

Stile.


The end of the Section is when you negotiate the final stile and arrive at Portgate: Car Park of the Errington Arms.

Portgate: Car Park at Errington Arms.

The walk on this section of Hadrian's Wall National Trail, has allowed you to see some well preserved and defined features of the World Heritage Site e.g. Wall Ditch and Vallum. Although there are no visible sections of the Wall here, the Trail passes through some magnificent countryside.