Accessibility & Inclusion

We believe that exploring Hadrian's Wall should be something more people feel confident doing, whatever their age, background, ability or walking experience.

You don't need to be an experienced hiker, know anything about Roman history or be able to walk miles to enjoy this extraordinary landscape.

At Curius Compass, our mission is to help people explore with confidence, connect with others and discover places they might never have imagined visiting.

Our approach is simple: local, personalised, inclusive and a lot of fun.

Everyone is welcome

We know that not everyone sees themselves as a walker. Some people worry about keeping up, being the slowest in the group, managing difficult terrain or simply not knowing what to expect.

We want to change that.

We welcome solo travellers, couples, families, older walkers, LGBTQ+ guests, neurodivergent visitors and people with different physical abilities and levels of walking experience.

Our training includes LGBTQ+ awareness, autism awareness and age awareness, helping us create experiences where people feel respected, comfortable and included.

You're welcome to share your pronouns, access requirements or anything else you'd like us to know. We'll respect your preferences and your privacy.

You don't need to explain or disclose a disability or diagnosis to ask for an adjustment.

¡Hablamos español!

Queremos que todas las personas se sientan a gusto explorando el Muro de Adriano. Ofrecemos visitas guiadas, rutas de senderismo y vacaciones personalizadas en español, desde la planificación inicial hasta la experiencia en sí.

Porque descubrir un lugar nuevo es aún mejor cuando puedes hacerlo en tu propio idioma.

We speak Spanish!

We offer guided walks, bespoke walking holidays and pre-trip communication in Spanish, helping Spanish-speaking visitors feel welcome, confident and included throughout their experience.

Walk your walk

There is no single way to experience Hadrian's Wall.

Some guests want to challenge themselves with a full day on the trail. Others prefer a shorter walk, more time exploring a Roman fort or simply an opportunity to enjoy the views and stories without feeling rushed.

We offer everything from shorter guided walks to multi-day walking adventures and bespoke holidays.

We can often adapt experiences to include:

Shorter distances or alternative routes
A slower pace and additional rest stops
Fewer steep climbs and descents, where possible
Quieter paths or less busy visiting times
Additional time for photographs, questions and exploring
Different walking options for guests within the same group

We want you to finish your experience feeling confident, accomplished and proud of what you've achieved, whether you've walked two miles or twenty.

Understanding the terrain

Hadrian's Wall is a remarkable place, but its landscape can be demanding.

Many paths include uneven grass, rocks, exposed ridges, steep climbs, stone steps and muddy or slippery sections. Some routes have stiles, gates or limited opportunities to leave the trail.

Not every section is suitable for everyone, and not all routes are wheelchair accessible.

We believe good accessibility begins with clear, honest information.

Before your walk, we'll explain the distance, expected duration, terrain, climbs and any particular challenges. We'll also discuss alternatives where appropriate, so you can make an informed decision about what works for you.

Where a particular route isn't suitable, we'll do our best to suggest another way to experience the history and landscape.

Small touches that make a difference

Sometimes it's the little things that help people feel more confident outdoors.

We provide walking poles for additional stability and support, and we're happy to demonstrate how to use them.

We can talk you through what to wear, what to bring and what to expect from the weather.

For guests who prefer more detailed information in advance, we can discuss busy areas, exposed sections, potentially noisy environments and opportunities for quieter breaks.

We recognise that people experience the outdoors differently. Some love the wind on the crags; others may find exposed areas overwhelming. Some enjoy walking in a group, while others need a little space.

We listen, and wherever possible, we adapt.

Safety and confidence

Your safety is a priority, but so is your confidence.

We are outdoor first-aid trained, and we assess weather and trail conditions before setting out.

We carry appropriate safety equipment and can adjust routes when conditions or individual needs require it.

We encourage guests to tell us if they're tired, uncomfortable or would like a break. There's no prize for being the fastest walker, and no embarrassment in asking to stop.

We want everyone to feel supported, not pressured.

Beyond the walk

An inclusive experience begins long before you put on your walking boots.

We can help with practical arrangements, including advice on public transport, meeting points, accommodation and local attractions.

Our guided walks are generally planned around available public transport where practical, and alternative transport or pick-up arrangements may be possible.

Through our growing network of local businesses, we can also help guests find accommodation, places to eat and activities that suit their interests and requirements.

Our bespoke walking holidays offer further flexibility, allowing us to plan around individual preferences, walking distances and the experiences guests want to enjoy.

Accessibility isn't just about getting people onto the trail. It's also about helping them enjoy the wider Northumberland experience.

Making our website accessible

We're working to make our website and digital information easier for everyone to use.

Our aim is to work towards the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA, including improvements to:

Clear, readable language and straightforward navigation
Alternative text for meaningful images
Keyboard navigation and screen-reader compatibility
Readable text, colour contrast and accessible layouts
Clear information about our walks and booking process

This is ongoing work, and we recognise there may still be barriers.

If you have difficulty accessing any information on our website, please contact us and we'll do our best to provide it in a format that works for you.

Helping us do better

We don't believe accessibility is something you achieve once and tick off a list. It's something we keep learning about, listening to and improving.

Our guests have helped shape Curius Compass from the beginning. Their questions, suggestions and experiences have encouraged us to think differently about our routes, how we communicate and what it really means to make people feel welcome.

We know we won't always get everything right, but we're committed to listening and making improvements.

If there's something we could do to make your visit easier or more enjoyable, we'd love to hear from you.

Email: curiuscompass@gmail.com
Telephone: 07922 009979

Our promise

We want more people to experience the joy of exploring Hadrian's Wall, especially those who might never have imagined it was something they could do.

We won't promise that every walk is suitable for everyone. But we will listen, be honest about what's possible and do our best to find an experience that works for you.

Because exploring Hadrian's Wall isn't about how far or how fast you walk. It's about the stories you discover, the connections you make and how you feel at the end of the day.

Updated October 2026