FAQs about the history of Hadrian's Wall

What is Hadrian's Wall? Where is Hadrian’s Wall?

Hadrian’s Wall is a 73-mile-long wall in northern England (or 80 Roman miles). It was built by the Roman army from AD 122 on the orders of the Roman Emperor, Hadrian, to mark and protect the north-west frontier of the Roman empire. It stretches from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria on the west coast to Wallsend in Newcastle upon Tyne.

How long is Hadrian’s Wall?

Hadrian’s Wall is 73 miles long (or 80 Roman miles). It stretches from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria on the west coast to Wallsend in Newcastle upon Tyne. 

How old is Hadrian’s Wall?

The Romans began to build Hadrian’s Wall in AD 122. It took at least six years to build. In 2022 English Heritage celebrated 1900 years of Hadrian’s Wall with art installations and exhibitions.

How tall was Hadrian’s Wall? How wide was Hadrian’s Wall?

The height varied along Hadrian’s Wall, but at its tallest it was about 15 feet (4.6 metres) tall. It was planned to be 10 Roman feet (3 metres) wide, but it ended up being built with a width of 8 Roman feet (2.4 metres) or less.

Where does Hadrian's Wall start and end?

Technically, Hadrian’s Wall doesn’t have a ‘start’ or ‘end’, but it stretches between Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria on the west coast to Wallsend in Newcastle upon Tyne in the east. Roman fortifications did carry on about 25 miles down the Solway coast as part of the wider frontier, but not as part of the wall.

Who built Hadrian’s Wall?

Hadrian’s Wall was built almost entirely by Roman soldiers from the three legions of the province: the Second Legion based at Caerleon in South Wales, the Sixth Legion from York, and the Twentieth Legion based at Chester. Each legion contained architect-engineers, surveyors, masons, carpenters and glaziers. It’s also possible that local civilians were drafted in to help transport materials. As the scale of the wall grew, more soldiers were called up from auxiliary units. Hadrian’s Wall was built near a Roman road called the Stanegate, which had older Roman fortifications built along it.

Who was Hadrian? Why was Hadrian’s Wall built?

Hadrian was born in Rome in AD 76. He became emperor in AD 117, succeeding Trajan, his father’s cousin. When he visited Britain in AD 122, his biographer recorded that he ordered his army to “build a wall, 80 miles long, to separate the Romans from the barbarians”. Hadrian wanted to bring order to the frontier and reduce raids by the Caledonian tribes who lived to the north. The wall allowed the Romans to control movement across the border and defend it with fewer soldiers.

What is the difference between milecastles, turrets and forts on Hadrian’s Wall?

Hadrian’s Wall included 16 forts, 80 milecastles and 156 turrets. As the name suggests, a milecastle stood roughly every Roman mile, and most guarded a gateway through the Wall. Each one probably housed a small garrison of about eight soldiers living in a single barrack block, though some had two buildings and could hold more. Between each milecastle were two turrets, providing lookout points for small groups of soldiers from the milecastles. They offered shelter and basic facilities for the men on duty as they watched over movement north of the Wall.

Later archaeologists numbered the milecastles and turrets from east to west, with Milecastle 0 at Wallsend and Milecastle 80 at Bowness-on-Solway.

As they built the wall, the Romans decided to add larger forts like Birdoswald, Housesteads and Chesters. These served as administrative bases for army units and housed greater numbers of soldiers. Alongside barracks, the forts contained headquarters buildings, hospitals, baths, granaries and the commanding officer’s house. Up to 800 men lived at Housesteads Roman Fort.

What’s the Antonine Wall? Is the Antonine Wall the same as Hadrian’s Wall?

The Antonine Wall was a later Roman frontier, begun in around AD 143. It was built further north than Hadrian’s Wall between the Firths of Forth and Clyde in what is now Scotland. Hadrian’s Wall was left unguarded for about 20 years. The Antonine Wall was abandoned – and Hadrian’s Wall reoccupied – in around AD 160.

Why is Hadrian's wall important?

For nearly 300 years, Hadrian’s Wall was the north-west frontier of an empire that stretched east into present-day Iraq) and south for to the Sahara desert. It is the best-known frontier in the entire Roman empire and stands as a reminder of one of the world’s greatest powers. In 1987 Hadrian’s Wall was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

FAQs about visiting Hadrian's Wall

Is Hadrian’s Wall owned by English Heritage? Is Hadrian’s Wall owned by the National Trust?

Most of Hadrian’s Wall is still in private ownership. Although charities like English Heritage and the National Trust look after several well-known sections of the Wall, the majority is owned and cared for by several hundred private owners. Sites managed by English Heritage include Birdoswald Roman Fort, Housesteads Roman Fort, Chesters Roman Fort and Museum, and Corbridge Roman Town. English Heritage also look after twenty sections of the wall including several milecastles and turrets as well as two bridges.

Where can I visit along Hadrian’s Wall?

English Heritage members get free entry to Birdoswald Roman Fort, Housesteads Roman Fort, Chesters Roman Fort and Museum, and Corbridge Roman Town. English Heritage also cares for twenty free-to-enter-sites along the wall: Hare Hill; Banks East Turret; Pike Hill Signal Tower; Leahill Turret and Piper Sike Turret; Harrow’s Scar Milecastle and Wall; Willowford Wall, Turrets and Bridge; Poltross Burn Milecastle; Walltown Crags; Cawfields Milecastle; Winshields Wall; Sewingshields Wall; Carrawburgh Roman Fort and Temple of Mithras; Black Carts Turret; Chesters Bridge Abutment; Brunton Turret; Planetrees Roman Wall; Heddon-on-the-Wall; Denton Hall Turret; Benwell Roman Temple; Benwell Vallum Crossing.

How much does it cost to visit Hadrian’s Wall? Is it free to visit Hadrian’s Wall?

It is free to walk alongside Hadrian’s Wall using the National Trail. There are some sites you need to pay to explore including Birdoswald Roman Fort, Housesteads Roman Fort, Chesters Roman Fort and Museum, and Corbridge Roman Town. English Heritage members get free access to Birdoswald Roman Fort, Housesteads Roman Fort, Chesters Roman Fort and Museum, and Corbridge Roman Town. National Trust members get free access to Housesteads Roman Fort. There are 20 sites along the wall that English Heritage manage which anyone can access for free.

What Hadrian’s Wall forts do English Heritage look after?

Forts cared for by English Heritage include Birdoswald Roman Fort, Housesteads Roman Fort (owned by the National Trust but managed by English Heritage) and Chesters Roman Fort and Museum. English Hertage also look after Corbridge Roman Town and around twenty sections of the wall including various milecastles, turrets and bridges.

How accessible is Hadrian’s Wall?

Hadrian's Wall is generally not wheelchair-accessible due to its location on rugged, hilly terrain with rough, unpaved, and steep paths.

At Birdoswald Roman Fort the exhibition and surrounding areas are flat and accessible by wheelchair, including the excavated area. Accessible parking and toilets are available. Find out more about accessibility at Birdoswald. 

At Housesteads Roman Fort, the shop and museum are step-free. The main pathway from the car park is gravel and has a rough surface – it’s a 750-metre walk with a steep gradient from the car park. The path is grass to the fort and the fort is very steep in places. There are four accessible parking spaces closer to the fort – ask at the visitor centre for access. Accessible toilets are also available in the visitor centre. Find out more about accessibility at Housesteads. 

At Chesters Roman Fort and Museum, there are ramps leading into the shop and museum. The site is generally flat and accessible by wheelchairs. The paths around the shop and museum have paved slab surfaces. There’s a gravel path down to the site and grass paths around the ruins. Accessible toilets and parking are available. Find out more about accessibility at Chesters. 

Corbridge Roman Town is mostly accessible with a gravel path to the west and east. The main street of the site is uneven with loose stones and gravel. Accessible parking and toilets are available. Find out more about accessibility at Corbridge Roman Town. 

When are the sites on Hadrian’s Wall open?

The smaller sites on Hadrian’s Wall are open daily during daylight hours.

Birdoswald Roman Fort’s opening times are:

• From 29 March to 25 October 2025 Birdoswald is open daily from 10am to 5pm (last entry is 4.30pm)
• From 26 October to 2 November 2025 Birdoswald is open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 3 November to 23 December 2025 Birdoswald is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• Birdoswald is closed on 24, 25 and 26 December 2025
• From 27 December 2025 to 1 January 2026 Birdoswald is open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 2 January to 13 February 2026 Birdoswald is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 14 February to 22 February 2026 (February half term) Birdoswald is open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 23 February to 27 March 2026 Birdoswald is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)

Chesters Roman Fort and Museum’s opening times are:

• From 29 March to 25 October 2025 Chesters Roman Fort is open daily from 10am to 5pm (last entry is 4.30pm)
• From 26 October to 2 November 2025 Chesters Roman Fort is open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 3 November to 23 December 2025 Chesters Roman Fort is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• Chesters Roman Fort is closed on 24, 25 and 26 December 2025
• From 27 December 2025 to 1 January 2026 Chesters Roman Fort is open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 2 January to 13 February 2026 Chesters Roman Fort is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 14 February to 22 February 2026 (February half term) Chesters Roman Fort is open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 23 February to 27 March 2026 Chesters Roman Fort is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)

Corbridge Roman Town’s opening times are:

• From 29 March to 25 October 2025 Corbridge Roman Town is open daily from 10am to 5pm (last entry is 4.30pm)
• From 26 October to 2 November Corbridge Roman Town is open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 3 November to 23 December Corbridge Roman Town is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• Corbridge Roman Town is closed on 24, 25 and 26 December 2025
• From 27 December 2025 to 1 January 2026 Corbridge Roman Town Fort is open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 2 January to 13 February 2026 Corbridge Roman Town is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 14 February to 22 February 2026 (February half term) Corbridge Roman Town is open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• From 23 February to 27 March 2026 Corbridge Roman Town is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)

Housesteads Roman Fort’s opening times are:

• From 29 March to 25 October 2025 Housesteads Roman Fort is open daily from 10am to 5pm (last entry is 4.30pm)
• From 26 October 2025 to 27 March 2026 Housesteads Roman Fort is open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry is 3.30pm)
• Housesteads Roman Fort is closed on 24, 25 and 26 December 2025

What can kids do at Hadrian’s Wall?

There are lots of things for kids to do at English Heritage sites on Hadrian’s Wall. At Birdoswald Roman Fort you can have a go at building your own epic wall and play the part of a Roman soldier. At Housesteads children can dress up and get hands on with replica Roman objects. At Chesters Roman Fort there is a trail just for kids. At Corbridge, kids can get hands on with various activities including a 3D jigsaw. English Heritage members can get up to six free children in for free.

What cafés are on Hadrian’s Wall?

English Heritage cafés can be found at Birdoswald Roman Fort and Chesters Roman Fort. If you’ve renewed your membership at least once, you can get 10% off in English Heritage cafés. There’s also a café in the National Trust visitor centre at Housesteads Roman Fort.

Can you park near Hadrian’s Wall?

There are car parks at several places along Hadrian’s Wall. Many are pay and display car parks operated by Northumberland National Parks. English Heritage members get free parking at Birdoswald Roman Fort, Chesters Roman Fort and Museum, and Corbridge Roman Town.

Can you get to Hadrian’s Wall by public transport?

Yes, there are plenty of options to get to Hadrian’s Wall by public transport. The AD122 bus runs daily all year round between Hexham and Walltown Quarry Car Park near Haltwhistle. The bus stops at several English Heritage sites including Chesters Roman Fort and Housesteads Roman Fort. Birdoswald Roman Fort is served by the 681 bus which connects with AD122 in Haltwhistle. Corbridge Roman Town is served by the 687 bus, which runs regularly from Hexham to Corbridge, and by the 685 bus which runs from Newcastle upon Tyne to Corbridge. Corbridge railway station is about 1.5 miles from the site. Find out more about the buses on the Go North East website.