Date: Thursday, 30 July 2026
Day: 6
From: Gilsland To: Newtown
Start Walking: 834am End Walking: 1249pm Walking Time: 3h50m
Distance (Planned): 14.9km Distance (Garmin): 16.8km
Ascent: 274m Descent: 348m
Progress: 102.9/138km
Weather: Clear and breezy to start, then a couple of sneaky light rain showers at the end.
Stayed At: Hadrian’s Wall Studio
General Comments:
• It was a pleasant surprise to see more Wall today or much more than I expected. The sections weren’t as long or as frequent, but some were very tall, well over 2m. Considering the Wall was 6m tall when it was built in AD122, it has done well to maintain any height at all.
• The Wall continued to climb up hill, down dale and almost over the Irthing River. Birdoswald Fort, located on a prominent hill, is an English Heritage property, but was yet to open when I wandered past.
• Lannercost Priory is also a highlight of this stage (another English Heritage property) if you have time to visit. Apparently it is built almost completely out of stone robbed from the Wall.
• Along the trail there were yet more turrets, towers and look out/beacon points. One sign explained that in the early days, at this end of the Wall, the walls were actually large, raised dirt mounds, later replaced by stone. Obviously, the dirt was not enough of a deterrent to the barbarians!
• This morning I met a man walking West! It’s good to know I am not doing this walk wrong.😄 And then this afternoon, I saw another 6 people West bound. Almost a tsunami of West walkers. 😊
• There were also countless enthusiastic people walking eastwards. Maybe they were only a couple of days into their adventure and still feeling fresh and chipper.😅
Top Tips:
• Animals in Paddocks: If you are interested in walking this trail, I need to warn you that you spend a LOT of time walking through paddocks – the home of sheep, horses, cattle and sometimes bulls. This hasn’t caused any problems at all except you need to be very careful where you step!
• Snack sheds: I saw at least 3 snack sheds today. One even had a portaloo! Very fancy!
• Accommodation: I also need to warn you that many accommodation places insist on a 4pm check-in time. That’s only a problem when you are desperate for a shower!
I may have seen the sea today. Or maybe I’m just dreamin’!
Life...one big adventure 
Loving all the snack sheds! They are so useful. Your definitely getting closer to the 🌊 sea now, so perhaps you did get a glimpse. X
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The snack sheds are a great concept. I doubt that they would work in Australia as people aren’t that honest!
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Love the Honesty Snack Shed. What a great idea. Even better when there is a loo attached!
I’m not sure I’d be keen to walk through a paddock holding bulls. I suppose they are used to humans walking through their domain.
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The animals are very chilled. They would be seeing thousands of people each year in their paddocks, so they just keep on doing their thing. 😊
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I suppose the honesty sheds are a win-win situation for the upkeep of the paths (?) and for those walkers needing extra food/drinks. The walls are in incredibly good condition, as you say, considering their age.
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They do vary in sophistication, but seem to be well supported. I know how much I appreciated it on that rainy day earlier in the week. From what I can see, they are privately run and I doubt the money goes towards the Wall’s upkeep. More like a form of off-farm income. 😄
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Well, I’m thinking the cash poor farmers need to do that to stay afloat in most countries. Unless you’re a NZ farmer with a big payout from Fonterra 😊
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Do I detect a touch of cynicism there, Suz?😄😉
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Well, perhaps a touch. Farmers deserve all the support. It’s not an easy life for most. Anyway, it’s all about walking around the beautiful countryside 😁
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Farming is one of the toughest and riskiest gigs going. There’s a joke in Aus about a farmer winning the lottery and when he is asked what he is going to do with his winnings, he replies that he is going to keep farming until it is all gone!😅🙃
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I can understand that as it’s a passionate affinity with the land, not just a job.
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True.
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The snack sheds are a fantastic idea, some entrepreneur needs to put one on the coast to coast. The pennine way used to be a bog fest but over the years the worst bits have been sensitively paved, it’s long though
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Oh, you know me, Jim. I only walk in England when it is sunny! No bogs for me!🤣🤣
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You’ve certainly had a good run! Wisley (an RHS garden down south with an official weather station) hasn’t had any any rain for 44 days which is unheard of
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It’s a bit frightening really. I suspect your country is on a whole new learning curve when it comes to managing with less water, especially in the cities.
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That’s a very elaborate snack shed! I’m used to seeing cupboards with cake / eggs / honey etc on walks but have not come across one quite like that, though a couple of gardens I’ve been too have operated something similar, maybe in a former potting shed. I think most people use them honestly!
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Some of the sheds have been very high tech with tap and go payment. Maybe that makes it easy for people to be honest? 😄
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Maybe so!
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Ah, I had missed this one. I thought there should have been more wall. I am not one for walking through fields with cows and or bulls in them. They can be quite dangerous. Some nice photos. What are you doing when you reach the end? Hopefully spending a bit more time in the UK before heading back downunder.
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Thanks, Jude. Last walking day today and then a couple of days in Carlisle before heading home. It will be quite a shock to head back into the dark of Winter.❄❄🧥
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I’m glad to see more wall photos – and it’s interesting to see the artist’s impression of the wall. You have beautiful photos here – like the trees with their intertwined roots and the honesty snack shed.
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Thank you. It’s a beautiful place to walk. 🥾
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Love the honesty shacks. And always love an English Heritage property 🙂 Your photos are beautiful, and I love the greenery and all the trees on this leg.
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You guys ‘do’ history so well. I have really enjoyed all the interpretive signs on the walk and around major sites. It really adds to the walking experience.
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