We are now heading down the South Tyne Valley past Whitley
Castle which is located a short walk west of the road before Slaggyford on
Knarsdale Common, although well south of Hadrian's wall it was built by the
Romans to police the hills within their domain.
Lambley Viaduct
Through Slaggyford to Knarsdale the road follows the river
and restored railway to a turn off for Coanwood where there is a Car Park and
footpath to the Lambley Viaduct a majestic sight worth visiting. The hardy can
picnic and swim in the South Tyne under the bridge.
Returning to the road towards Greenhead we pass Blenkinsopp
Castle before turning west on the main A69 Highway between Newcastle and
Carlisle. after less than a mile we turn off into Greenhead where there is a
Youth hostel and refreshments available.
Greenhead is on Hadrian's Wall with the remains of a roman
Camp their, at this point you may wish to take a detour east and follow the wall
to Chollerford. This being the main stretch were the remains have been excavated
and access provided, an area covered in detail on another page.
Click Here
Taking the back road out of Greenhead to Gilsland, also on the
Roman Wall where Sir Walter Scott proposed to Charlotte Carpenter by a rock
known locally as the Popping Stone. (Popping the Question)
Nearby the remains of Gamboglanna Fort
at Birdoswald is the largest preserved stretch of wall open to view, covering
five acres it was built to house between 500 - 1,000 cavalry and infantry
troops, making it the largest garrison at this end of the wall.
Turning off the main road to follow the
wall to Banks where the East Turret remains are found, a two storey observation
post of which there were two between each mile castle located every 1,620 yards
along the wall.
Getting nearer to Brampton we pass Lanercost Priory located
by the river Irthing it was founded in 1166, some 700 years after the Romans left
leaving an ample source of ready to build rocks.
It was a home to King Edward I due to
a sudden illness while traveling past, as we hope you will soon, it was also
raided by the Scottish leader William Wallace. Today it is maintained by
English
Heritage, you don't have to visit many Heritage sites to recover your yearly
membership fee.
Photos and Maps are to follow

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