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Exploring history through landscapes, legends and laughs.
Curius Compass offers female-led walking tours and unique events along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, UK. From Roman forts to wild moorland paths, our walking tours take you from Newcastle to Bowness-on-Solway, with stories, silliness and sisterhood baked in.
Whether you're exploring Northumberland for the first time or rediscovering it with fresh eyes, our guided walks are designed for curious minds who want more than a history lecture.
Come to Hadrian’s Wall and get swept up in the dramatic landscapes and breathtaking vistas that only a Northumberland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can provide.
Join Hadrian’s Wall Highlights tour, our most popular guided walk past milecastles, turrets, and sweeping vistas. Or spend a Grand Day Out on Hadrian’s Wall, exploring the most iconic stretches across the wild spine of Northumberland. Prefer less walking? The Whistle-Stop tour fits top sights and stories into a flexible car-and-walk experience, with pick-ups available from places like Haltwhistle, Hexham, or Newcastle. Looking for something different? Try our themed Apocalypse Survival Walk, perfect for all end-of-world enthusiasts. Want to experience an epic walk? Join Women Walk the Wall 2026, a women-only guided tour along the length of Hadrian's Wall with a splendid castle stay or for something truly spectacular, why not let us design a Bespoke Hadrian's Wall tour just for you and yours.
Walks Where Everyone Belongs
We believe adventure is for everyone. We are, of course, outdoor first aid certified and proud locals who know the history and hidden gems of Hadrian’s Wall country, but what truly sets us apart is our inclusivity. We’re LGBTQ+ welcoming, neuro-inclusive, and age- and body-aware, creating guided walks where everyone feels safe, seen and celebrated.
Our mission is simple: to make walking Hadrian’s Wall an experience that’s inclusive, authentic and a whole lot of fun.
Curious About Hadrian’s Wall? Start Here
Why is Hadrian’s Wall a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
It is the most complete and substantial example of a Roman imperial frontier anywhere in the world. It’s a 2,000-year-old feat of engineering that winds through wild moorland, rolling hills, and hidden valleys.
Fun fact: much of the stone was reused by later farmers and builders. So parts of old cottages, barns, and churches across the region are literally built on Roman foundations.
How long is Hadrian’s Wall?
Hadrian’s Wall was originally around 73 miles (117 km) long, stretching from the River Tyne in the east to the Solway Firth in the west. A Roman mile is 0.9 of a modern mile, so they recorded the wall’s length as 80 Roman miles.
Fun fact: The Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail you can walk today is 84 modern miles (135 km) long, slightly farther than the original wall because it winds around villages, farmland, and missing sections.
Where does Hadrian’s Wall start and end?
The wall runs from Wallsend near Newcastle in the east to Bowness-on-Solway on the Cumbrian coast. The most dramatic section, and where we run many of our tours, is the middle stretch near Steel Rigg and Sycamore Gap.
Fun fact: only about 10% of the original wall still stands, but you can trace its line through fields, farms, and fells thanks to modern paths that follow the Roman route almost exactly.
Why was Hadrian’s Wall built?
Officially, it marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, a show of strength, order, and control. Unofficially, it may also have kept the troops busy (and out of trouble).
Fun fact: Hadrian didn't build the wall himself; he simply approved the idea during his visit to Britain in AD 122. He never returned to Britain and never saw the finished result.
Who built Hadrian’s Wall?
The wall was built by Roman legionaries under Emperor Hadrian’s orders. These highly trained soldiers handled the surveying, engineering, and construction, building forts, milecastles, and turrets along the route before heading to their main bases in Britain.
Fun fact: Once the wall was complete, it was patrolled by auxiliary troops, non-citizen soldiers from across the Roman Empire, including Spain, Germany, and even Syria.
Exclusive Event
A seven-day women’s walking adventure along Hadrian’s Wall—celebrating friendship, discovery, and the joy of the journey.
Every journey leaves an impression. These are the reflections from travellers who joined us to discover Hadrian’s Wall and Northumberland.
Guest Reviews
History, nature, and a spectacular day. We didn’t know what to expect. Well of course history. But from the very first communication with our hosts it was Proving to be a wonderful adventure. We spent the day walking the walls, experiencing incredible scenery. Our tour was tailor made for us and we were surprised to get the added Bonus of super creative and lovely nice guides. That made the day so special. Their kindness to us and everyone we encountered was very infectious. It allowed us to witness their passion for leading and sharing the history and beauty of the walls. At the end of the day we felt we met new friends, not just tour guides. Thanks for all the recommendations of the locations we were visiting and staying. They were awesome I recommend this tour highly, you will not be disappointed.
Tracy & Craig
California, USA
Great booking and pre event communication, the day was led by guide Claire who had bags of historical and local knowledge along with accommodating everyone of all ages and abilities (and dogs), highly recommended this activity
John, Melanie & Chip
Rothbury, UK
What an amazing experience. The unexpected highlight of our trip to England. Our guide Claire was amazing. She was very knowledgeable, friendly and communicative. She also took videos and pictures that she shared with us later. Highly, highly recommend!
Brandon & Spencer
Utah, USA
Katie is an absolute joy. She is very knowledgeable about the history of the wall and the surrounding geography. I learned so much and it made the walk all the more interesting. The weather was incredible, too. I was the only person on the tour this day but we met others along the way and Katie was both engaging and helpful (sharing her water with one man who did not have any and Compeed with another who had blisters). She shared her tea with me when we stopped for a snack. She has a great sense of humor, is warm, and instantly puts one at ease. All in all, a wonderful experience that I highly recommend!
Sharon
Michigan, USA
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