Frontier Experience 7
Birdoswald to Gilsland; Willowford Wall, Turrets and Bridge; Thirlwall Castle; Walltown Crags, Wall and Turret; Great Chesters Roman Fort (remains of); Cawfields Wall and Milecastle; Haltwhistle; Haltwhistle Burn; Mare & Foal Stone Circle (remains of); Allen Banks and Staward Gorge.
East of Birdoswald to Harrow’s Scar lies an impressive length of Wall. Nearby Gilsland is an ideal base for this area, with both a great stretch of Wall at Willowford Wall, Turrets and Bridge (parking in village, some walking over rough terrain) and Poltross Burn Milecastle nearby. On the way to Willowford Bridge you will pass turrets 48a and 48b (both accessible for the disabled with disabled parking just past the school).
Thirlwall Castle is not Roman but built from pillaged stone; it has a car park and there is a short climb to the Castle ruins. Not far from Greenhead, home to a youth hostel, pub and guest houses, is an impressive surviving stretch of the Wall at Walltown Crags; park at Walltown Quarry and walk up a steep hill or follow the easy access trail suitable for wheelchairs. On a ridge overlooking the Caw Burn stand the earthworks of Great Chesters Roman Fort; access is on the Path from parking at Cawfields. From the Cawfields parking, you can reach a fine stretch of the Wall, plus Vallum and milecastle (steep climb to the Wall). From Haltwhistle (stop for lunch), take the Haltwhistle Burn wall just two miles from the car park to Cawfields; or check out the Mare & Foal – all that remains of a Stone Age stone circle. For an alternative stroll head for beautiful Allen Banks and Staward Gorge.
