Are there toilets along Hadrian's Wall: A Guide for the Uninitiated

Hadrian’s Wall is full of surprises, from sweeping views, Roman ruins, and the occasional sheep watching with quiet judgment. But there’s one thing every walker eventually faces that rarely makes it into guidebooks: loo logistics.

Whether you’re heading out for a short walk or taking on the full trail, knowing how to manage wild number ones and twos makes for a much more comfortable adventure.

Number Ones

If you’re walking with a friend, it’s handy to have them stand watch while you nip off the path. On your own, look for a wall or tree that offers a bit of cover. If you do get caught out by an unsuspecting fellow walker, you’ve got options: hide until they pass, call out “Give me a second, I’m wild wee-ing!” or simply carry on and pull up your pants. Most people will instantly look anywhere but in your direction. Almost everyone on a long-distance path has been in your position. If nothing else, it's an opportunity to share a laugh with a fellow walker.

Once, while marshalling a trail race in a wooded section, I’d been waiting for over an hour. Eventually, desperate and unable to leave my post, I 'hid' behind a rather slender tree. No sooner had I crouched down than the lead bike and the first woman runner appeared. There was no going back, so I just had to finish, yank up my trousers, and yell a hasty “Well done! Great running!” as they headed further up the hill

You can carry a sealable bag for tissues or wipes (to dispose of when you reach a public loo or your destination). We recommend just having a wiggle to shake off excess and then using hand sanitiser.

Clothing can make a difference to how easy (or awkward) a wild wee becomes. Cold or wet weather makes pulling trousers up and down much trickier, and jeans, especially wet jeans, are like trying to squeeze toothpaste back into the tube.

It’s worth thinking about your layers before you set off: the style of underwear, trousers, leggings, or shorts you’re wearing, and how your waterproofs fit over the top. If you’re buying new gear, don’t just check the fit in the shop mirror — practice the “up, down, up, down” test with your waterproofs on.

Number Twos

If you need to do more than a quick wee, choose a discreet spot well away from paths and water sources. Use your walking boots or poles to make a hole deep enough to bury waste properly. Once finished, cover it back over with soil, turf or rocks so there’s no trace left behind.

Take a Wag Bag

Bring a small ziplock bag with a few wet wipes inside and seal it after use. Dispose of it at the next public loo or when you reach your accommodation. Wipes don’t decompose, so don't bury them.

IBS, Periods and other tummy troubles

Let’s be honest. Sometimes it’s not just the odd wee or the occasional emergency. Walking the Wall while juggling IBS, a dodgy stomach, or your period is absolutely doable. It just takes a bit of extra planning.

Create your own little “comfort kit”.

Place wet wipes, period products, a couple of ziplock bags for used products and wipes, some tummy-friendly snacks and any meds into a ziplock bag. You can even add a lightweight poncho (to serve as a privacy curtain).

Plenty of walkers deal with the same things. You’re not the only one scanning the horizon for the next loo stop!

Roman Toilets

The Romans were not at all shy about their bathroom habits. At every fort, there would have been a communal latrine with running water: long wooden benches with holes cut for each bottom to perch on. Men, women, and children all shared the space, unless you were among the elite, in which case you might have enjoyed your own facilities or at least a designated time slot.

For cleaning, the Romans used sponge-sticks (or more likely moss-sticks here in Britain), dipped into stone basins filled with briny water. These were probably shared between users. People sometimes joke that this is where the phrase “to get the wrong end of the stick” came from... though the saying itself actually appears much later and has nothing to do with Roman toilets! Head to Housesteads for one of the best surviving examples of Roman latrines along Hadrian’s Wall.

The good news is that if you visit one of the Roman forts today, you’ll also find modern toilets with individual cubicles, toilet paper, and running water. Fancy!

Are there toilets along Hadrian's Wall: Closing the Lid 

Yes, but not everywhere. Along the central section between Walltown and Heddon-on-the-Wall, facilities are limited, so it’s worth knowing where to stop.

You’ll find toilets at Walltown Quarry —3.5 miles— Cawfields Quarry —3 miles— The Sill/Twice Brewed Inn —3.5 miles— Housesteads Roman Fort —8.5 miles— Chesters Roman Fort —1.5 miles— George Hotel/Riverside Café —9 miles— Vallum/Northumberland HQ Café —5.5 miles— Knott Memorial Hall/Three Tuns/White Swan/Shell Garage.

Between these points, much of the route crosses open countryside, so be prepared for a wild loo stop if needed. A bit of planning makes it much less stressful.

Fancy tackling the full length of Hadrian’s Wall? Drop us a message! We can help you plan a self-guided wander, or why not join us on our next Women Walk the Wall adventure, and don’t worry, we’ve scouted the best loo locations so you don’t have to.

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The Bit at the Bottom Where We Answer Stuff...

What is the hardest part of Hadrian's Wall? The central section between Gilsland and Sewingshields Crags is the steepest and most rugged, but also the most breathtaking. There’s also a low path between Peel Crags and Housesteads, which lets you skip the steepest climbs while still enjoying panoramic views of the Wall.

Where to sleep when walking Hadrian's Wall? There’s plenty of choice: B&Bs, hostels, pubs, and campsites. Many cater specifically to walkers and offer trail pick-ups. It’s wise to book early, especially in peak season.

Can you walk Hadrian's Wall in 3 days? Yes, technically, but you’ll be covering almost a marathon each day. Most walkers prefer 6–7 days for a more relaxed adventure (and to actually enjoy the views and get to your accommodation in time for last orders).

When you gotta go, you gotta go. — Popular saying