Good Walks in Northumberland: Hadrian’s Wall Corridor

After taking part in the Know Your Northumberland Gold Ambassador programme this spring, I’ve come away with a renewed appreciation for just how much this county has to offer—hidden gems, breathtaking views, and stories waiting around every corner. Even places I thought I knew inside out revealed something new.

Over the next few blogs, I’ll be exploring different parts of Northumberland: Hadrian’s Wall corridor, the Northumberland coast, Kielder, and central Northumberland and Northumberland National Park. I'll suggest a walk and pair it with some ess explored places to visit. These ideas are just a starting point, but I hope they shine a light on walks and spots that might not be on your radar—and that you’ll agree are some of Northumberland’s true hidden gems.

First up, Hadrian’s Wall corridor...

Hadrian’s Wall Corridor

Rather than heading straight for Vindolanda or Housesteads—both brilliant and a big part of our guided walks—I want to share a lesser-known stretch of the Hadrian’s Wall corridor. This scenic route from Chollerford takes in Roman remains, riverside views and peaceful woodland paths. It’s a quieter way to experience the Wall, away from the crowds, but still full of character and history and perfect for a slower-paced wander with plenty to discover.

Start your walk in Chollerford. You can park at the Riverside Café car park—it's small, but there’s usually space to park on the verge along the opposite side of the road near the roundabout.

Begin by crossing the bridge, where you’ll spot the remains of a Roman bridge abutment just downstream—a reminder of the original Roman crossing. Follow the road briefly, then pick up the path towards Brunton Turret (26b), one of the best-preserved turrets on the Wall.

Here, you’ll see a rare detail: a clear change in the Wall’s width. On the east side of the turret, the Wall is the original broader build (around 3 metres wide), while the west side connects to a narrower section (about 2.3 metres)—evidence of an early change in the Roman construction plans.

From Brunton Turret, head along the road towards Wall and take the left turn. Keep going until you spot a signpost on your right for Planetrees. In early spring, this stretch is something special—snowdrops scatter the ground, and there’s a lovely stillness that makes it feel just a little bit magical.

Planetrees itself is a brilliant section of Wall, about 35 metres long, and really well preserved. What’s especially interesting here is that the foundation is wider than the Wall built on top. It’s yet another spot where you can see the Romans changing their plans partway through construction.

Cross the road and follow the path to St Oswald’s Church, where King Oswald is said to have raised a wooden cross before the Battle of Heavenfield in 635. His victory helped re-establish Celtic Christianity in Northumbria. The current church, dating from the late 19th century, stands on the site of a medieval church—and before that, an Anglo-Saxon one. Inside, you’ll find artefacts reflecting its layered history. St Oswald’s also marks the end of the long-distance St Oswald’s Way. It’s a peaceful spot to pause and reflect before returning to Chollerford.

The full loop is around 4.5 miles. You can find a detailed map of the route here: Chollerford to Heavenfield Route Map

Turn a Good Walk into a Grand Day Out

After your walk, head to Riverside Café in Chollerford. This cosy riverside spot has amazing homemade cakes, bakes, and toasties—just the thing to refuel after your wander. If the sun’s out, grab a seat outside.

Open

Summer: Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm

Winter: Tues–Sun 10am–4pm, Mon closed

Also, if you fancy a dip, Chollerford is a great place to go wild water swimming. The water here is relatively calm and shallow, and so good for beginners and experienced swimmers. The water can be accessed between the bridge and the George Hotel via the small landing on the hotel grounds.

Just a 2-minute drive—or a scenic 15-minute stroll—brings you to Chesters Roman Fort. The riverside bathhouse is a real showstopper, with remnants of steam rooms, plunge pools, and even a Roman clubhouse—imagine the spa day of the 2nd century. The museum’s a treasure trove too, packed with artefacts uncovered on site.

Open weekends only, 10am–4pm.

A little further west—about 4 miles—lies Brocolitia and the Temple of Mithras, a Roman temple dedicated to the god Mithras dating back to the 3rd century. Mithraism was a mysterious cult that flourished across the Roman Empire between the 1st and 4th centuries CE. It was deeply secretive, so there’s still a lot we don’t know about its practices. What we do know is that it was steeped in ritual, followed a strict hierarchy, and excluded women entirely. Mithraism was especially popular among Roman soldiers, who were drawn to its emphasis on loyalty, order and initiation.

Open year-round. Free entry.

Want something completely different? Head to Falconry Days, where you can see owls, hawks, and eagles up close. Learn about their care, conservation, and even try a half-day or full-day handling experience.

Open Summer (21 Feb–31 Oct): Open daily, 10am–4pm

OpenWinter (1 Nov–31 Mar): Sat & Sun only, 10am–3pm

Next up in this “Good Walks and Grand Days Out in Northumberland” series: the coast—but not the usual bucket-and-spade stuff. I’ll be sharing a few favourites from my ambassador trips and local wanderings that lean more towards tucked-away landmarks, quirky stately rooms, and some properly good afternoon teas (what does the fox say? Probably “more scones, please”). Stay tuned!

Solvitur ambulando” – Saint Augustine (It is solved by walking)