DAY ONE - BELSAY AND NEWCASTLE

Morning: Begin your adventure at the unmissable Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens. Allow three hours to explore its medieval castle, Jacobean mansion ruin and over 20 spectacular acres of Grade 1-listed Gardens.

Lunch: The Belsay tearoom in the hall’s original kitchen is the perfect spot for a bite to eat. Pre-booking essential for groups.

Afternoon: Head to the vibrant city of Newcastle and discover its shops, restaurants and galleries.

Driving: Belsay Hall to Newcastle takes just over 20 minutes.

DAY TWO - THE EASTERN WALL

Morning: Start today off with a visit to Aydon Castle, a fortified medieval manor house built to withstand attacks from Scottish raiders. When you’re done, make the short drive to Corbridge Roman Town and explore the remains of the forum, shops, temples and granaries. You can walk along the original surface of the ‘high street’, and there’s a fantastic museum packed with Roman treasures dug up on the site. Around 1 hour should be enough to take it all in.

Lunch: Just a stone’s throw away is the charming town of Corbridge, with its Saxon-towered church, medieval fortified vicarage, and specialist boutiques and food shops.

Afternoon: Head to the picturesque Chesters Roman Fort to see the remains of a Roman cavalry fort. Groups can get a free introductory talk upon arrival, but make sure you book this in advance. There’s a tearoom offering light refreshments.

Evening: The market town of Hexham has plenty of places to eat, drink and stay.

Driving: The trip from Aydon Castle to Corbridge Roman Town is nine minutes, and it’s a further 14 minute drive to Chesters.

DAY THREE - THE WESTERN WALL

Morning: Start your day at Housesteads Roman Fort, one of the best examples of a Roman fort in the country, complete with remarkably well preserved communal toilets. Stunning views and an outstanding multimedia exhibition will bring the fort back to life for your group. Have elevenses or an early lunch at the National Trust visitor centre next to the car park.

Afternoon: Head to Birdoswald to visit another Roman fort, and check out the tearoom if you haven’t already had lunch. There’s a great exhibition and it’s also close to the longest continuous stretch of the wall still visible today.

If you started early, you might have the time to visit Lanercost Priory or Carlisle Castle in the afternoon, or you could incorporate them into a fourth day.

Evening: The border town of Carlisle is steeped in history, and the perfect place to spend the last night of your journey.

Driving: Birdoswald is just a 22 minute drive from Housesteads. Lanercost Priory is then a 10 minute drive and Carlisle Castle a further 22 minutes.