Birdoswald Roman Fort, Museum and
Hadrians Wall is the most westerly part of
the wall, and most westerly fort. It is
situated about 16 miles east of Carlisle by
the village of Gilsland.
If you are traveling from the east,
Birdoswald is 44 miles west of
Newcastle.
Birdoswald is one of the main forts
built alongside Hadrian’s Wall, the wall
built from 122 AD - 128 AD with Emperor
Hadrian living 76 AD - 138 AD.
The image below is of Hadrians Wall at
Birdoswald with the car park about 50 yards
down to the left, and visitor centre about
30 yards behind.
This is the start of the wall from the
west, or end if you are travelling from the
east. This is a good section to walk
following the wall about 4 miles east to
the Roman Army Museum and Waltown Quarry,
as can be seen in the distance, the highest
hills straight in line with the wall. The
wall stops at Gilsland then it is a path
past the village and on to Walton Quarry
where the wall begins again.
The path passes the remains of Thirwall
Castle built from 1255.
From Walton Quarry, it is about 10 miles
to the other end of what remains of
Hadrians wall just past Housesteads Roman
Fort. This 14 miles has the best preseved
sections of the wall, the other 59 miles is
now just a path or mound.
This 14 miles of wall is over the
highest and most rugged points along the
route, so has great views, and is a good
walking test.
You can walk from here to the Quaries or
Housteads Fort and catch the Hadrian's Wall
Bus back, but only certain buses run to
Birdoswald, so check the times.
The 1 mile walk from here to Gilsland is
real good passing the remains of a turret,
going down into a gorge, across a bridge,
up steps beside the wall, then into
Gilsland.
Birdoswald Road
Map
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