HWP Day 2 - Carlisle to Greenhead 28 May 2013.

Hadrian's Wall Path with Bourne Coffee Company - Day 2
Carlisle to Greenhead
Distance 33.5km
Tuesday 28th May 2013

We drove into Carlisle to start our walk from where we had finished the day before.  After a quick photo or two we set off on The Path down by the river.

Her Royal Highness and Queen Victoria

Walking by the river we passed under the road and by what looked like a fairly new centre with details of Hadrian's Wall.  It was quite warm as we walked by the golf course in what was a big loop round by the river.  You could see on the far bank places we would soon pass once we crossed the river.  At a junction we took the turning left towards the Memorial Bridge.

Memorial Bridge

The Memorial Bridge is dedicated to the people of Carlisle who gave their lives in the Great War.  On the far side we continued to follow the little acorn sign which took us near another large war memorial.  We were now heading north.

The Path crosses a narrow road and stream before turning right, north east, and follows beside the road towards Rickerby.  Along here we passed a couple of interesting features.  The guide show that they belonged to a gentleman called George Head Head.  He had a gatehouse with a coat of arms showing "Study Quiet".

George Head Head also had a tower built in the middle of a field.  Apparently he had it built at a time when folly building was very popular.

Passing through Rickerby we stay on the road and continue north east over the M6 then into Linstock.

M6

On the edge of Linstock The Path turns right through some houses.  It was along here we had to wait from some tree fellers to stop so we could walk down the track.  They were working on some trees near a big house near the road.  The Path continues north east along farm tracks.  After approx 800 meters we turn right, south east back to the River Eden.  It was very peaceful down by the river.  After a short time The Path moves into a nice little place called Low Crosby where we passed the school and church.

Low Crosby school

Low Crosby church

The road continues almost east, after a short time we turn left, north, through a farm and onto the path over the A689.  A quick turn right, east, following by a short wood.  Another turn left, north, along a track called Sandy Lane.  Before a turn right, easterly, and we were back on the route of the Wall, Roman Military Way.  We started on a narrow road , which turned into a track and then became a grassy path, almost perfectly straight.  We passed the world famous stall on the wall, and paid the fee ordered by the Emperor Hadrian for a quick juice.

On the way the Path crossed fields and farms, and we walked by a row of houses at Newtown.  We crossed the road and continued north east behind a barn to a short rise. From which the views were brilliant.

We had a short steep climb, with a turn left, and we then turned right down a track. Still following the acorn sign we then turned into a small wood, after crossing a small stream we walked through an area of bluebells.

After the beautiful bluebells we then walk by a fence into the small town of Walton, which is where we had arranged to meet up with Susan.  According to the guide in Walton there is an inn called the Centurion Inn, however everyone we spoke to could not find it.  However there was a lovely tea shop near the school.

After a break and a spot of lunch we walked back through the village and headed back on The Path.  We were travelling almost directly east now along the road before we had a little move off the direct line, around a road and fence line before joining the route of the Wall again on a grassy path.  Then we started a little climb up and down as we continued east.

Coming down the bank we passed a real part of the Wall at Hare Hill.  I had previously heard that many Romans had scratched or carved graffiti onto the Wall.  So I had a look and I think I saw some.  One looked like a pin man and another a face.  Anyway have a look below and see what you think.

Can you see a pin man?

Can you see a face?

After Hare Hill there was another short walk down hill, where we turned left on a road and then turned right up a road by a stream and started walking up hill.  At the top The Path goes over a wall and we walk beside a field to another style where there was a substantial part of the Wall.  There is quite a large car park and the weather was a little cooler.  The Path then takes us to a signal station.  From the information it indicates that the signal station must have been built before the Wall as it is not square with the Wall.  All very interesting.

From the signal station we continue east.

View from the signal station looking east

An old Roman tractor

The Path follows next to the road for nearly 2km, with a numerous number of gates and styles to cross.  Before moving down a track then turning east again and following the route of the vallum.  We were now walking in open fields again, with a slight climb, through and over gates and styles.  After about 1 1/2km we turned north west down hill back to the road.  It was as we approached Birdoswald we saw Susan as she started back along the road, looking for us.  At Birdoswald we had a short stop for a cup of tea/coffee and a quick rest.  I also got another stamp in my book.

Leaving Birdoswald we continued east along the Wall, Susan joined us for a short spell before returning to the car park.  We were now at the remains of milecastle 49 and the view south was brilliant.

From the milecastle the route travels down hill, south, then turns east towards the stream.  Across the stream there is an artists impression of what they think the bridge here would have looked like.  There is now a little climb to the top of a bank from where agin the views are stunning.

Anne and David at the edge of where the bridge would be

Me and David at the top of the bank, view looking west

At the top in the wall of the farm house is a stone from the original wall with a plaque below showing what it said.  The Path then follows next to a part of the Wall before we joined a farm track, travelling south east.  After crossing a road the Path skirts to the South of Gilsland before climbing up to the railway line.

The route of the Wall from the path to the railway line

The Path follows next to the railway line for a few hundred meters before turning right around the edge of the town.  We crossed a road and continued east, we walked over fields, walking by walls over yet more styles and gates, by farm houses and down farm tracks.  We reached a rise and we could see Thirlwall Castle in the distance and the route up hill we would be doing tomorrow.

Thirlwall Castle in the dip with tomorrows route going up hill in the distance

We dropped down the grass track to a road and turned right, south.  Just before a line of cottages we turned left and crossed in front of the cottages before crossing the railway line.  There is a path that takes you over a stream.  We are now walking towards Thirlwall Castle beside the stream.  After turning right and crossing the stream we found ourselves at the campsite we were staying at.

Susan was already there so after a short rest we went to The Greenhead Hotel for our dinner.  I had stopped at The Greenhead Hotel for a meal a few times before and found the food very good.

Today we had covered approx 20.8 miles (33.5km) according to the guide, in approx 9 hrs including rests.

More to follow


Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Hadrian Wall Path or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to previous - Day 1 Bowness on Solway to Carlisle
Follow link to next - Day 3 Greenhead to Wall
The Bourne Coffee Company previously Caer Urfa Coffee Company.