Dog Friendly Hadrian's Wall Highlights: Corbridge to Bowness on Solway
Corbridge to Bowness on Solway in 5 Days Walking With Your Dog Code: HWH6D
Unless you’re really intent on walking the whole official route, this is the most pleasant option if you’re looking for a longer walk. It covers nearly the whole route without spending time in the urban areas of Newcastle, where there isn't much of the wall to be seen. Many people choose to miss out the early part of the walk and start at Corbridge. Our 5 & 6 day itineraries can also be booked with dog-friendly accommodation. Please select the code ending D if you would like to bring your dog with you.
One of two dog friendly options between Corbridge and Bowness on Solway.
This option is achievable by most reasonably fit walkers and reasonably fit dogs. If you are keen to explore the museums and archaeological sites we suggest looking at the 6 day itinerary but please be aware that you won’t be able to take your dog into some of the main sites, including Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum.
Our dog friendly accommodation in Bowness on Solway is a little different and, subject to availability, you will be staying in a self-contained luxury timber cabin. The cabins contain a fixed bed and ensuite shower room. Linen and towels are provided and a breakfast box will be delivered to your cabin. You can take a look at the website here. If you would prefer a traditional B&B/hotel we can arrange your final night in Carlisle instead, just let us know when booking.
Prices do not include any charges made for dogs by the accommodation providers. These should be paid by you directly to them on arrival. The amount will vary depending which accommodations we book. Not all accommodations charge, but those that do tend to average between £10 and £15 per night.
See more useful information about dog-friendly holidays here.
| Miles | Km | ||
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| Day 1 | Travel to Corbridge for your first nights accommodation | ||
| Day 2 | Corbridge to Chollerford then transfer to Twice Brewed | 9 | 14 |
| Day 3 | Transfer back to Chollerford then walk to Twice Brewed | 13 | 21 |
| Day 4 | Twice Brewed to Lanercost then transfer to Gilsland | 14 | 23 |
| Day 5 | Transfer back to Lanercost then walk to Carlisle | 15 | 24 |
| Day 6 | Carlisle to Bowness on Solway | 14 | 23 |
| Day 7 | Depart from Bowness on Solway after breakfast |
Corbridge to Chollerford
Corbridge is a pleasant market town on the banks of the South Tyne. From Corbridge you head up to the wall at Port Gate, where you begin your walk along the vallum, through rolling Northumbrian countryside, past turrets and milecastles. The final 2 miles are marked by a descent through attractive parkland to the North Tyne Valley and the picturesque villages of Wall and Chollerford. The nearby Chester’s fort is also worth a visit.
Chollerford to Twice Brewed
The route soon reaches the Northumberland National Park and classic Roman Wall country with expansive views and undulating moorland. The route climbs steadily at first, past turrets and a Brocolitia Roman fort; it then becomes more steeply undulating on reaching the Whin Sill escarpment. The views of open moorland, the South Tyne Valley, the Pennines and of the wall itself following ridges ahead are breathtaking. The route passes the well preserved Housesteads Fort and continues in a similar dramatic fashion to Twice Brewed and on to your accommodation.
Twice Brewed to Gilsland
The route continues to follow the escarpment, over the rugged crags of Winshield, equally as impressive of the previous section. It passes the remains of Great Chester’s Fort and the Roman Army Museum, and continues to the pretty villages of Greenhead and Gilsland.
Gilsland to Carlisle
Just after Gilsland the fort of Birdoswald is reached, the route then continues high above the steep sided Irthington Gorge, before beginning a gradual descent at the village of Banks. Rich agricultural landscape and parkland replaces the moorland as the route drops steadily through the villages of Walton and Irthington before reaching the River Eden for the final section into the historic border city of Carlisle. Carlisle’s history is very much evident with its cathedral, castle and old city walls.
Carlisle to Bowness-on-Solway
The final section is a complete contrast to all that has gone before; Initially along the banks of the Eden and then across the pancake flat salt marshes of the Solway Firth. The mountains of the Lake District are visible to the south and Scotland is just across the water to the north. This expansive estuary is internationally renowned for its thriving bird life and the area has a peaceful charm of its own.
Easy to Moderate
Of the National Trails we cover, this is the easiest. The route journeys over rolling countryside and moorlands, but not mountains. Many people with limited walking experience have completed this route.
Terrain: Moorland up to 350m for the central section, but otherwise fields and parkland.
What’s it like underfoot? Pretty good. Well maintained paths throughout, although sections can get a bit muddy in wet weather.
How Much Up & Down? Not too much! Generally rolling countryside with some gentle ups and downs. In the central section there are numerous short steep climbs.
Signposting: Good.
Navigation: Pretty straightforward. Well defined paths, and good signposting.
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All Holidays
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| Accommodation | Overnight Bed and Breakfast accommodation in selected hotels, farmhouses, village inns, guest houses and family B&Bs.Full English or Continental breakfast. |
| Guidebook | A detailed guidebook with route information, maps, photos and background information. |
| Information of Services Along the Route | A comprehensive Service Info sheet, including services such as cash points, banks, post offices, village shops, inns, cafes and taxis. |
| Maps | A waterproof 1:40000 map from Harvey Maps covering the whole route. |
| Personal Itinerary | A personal itinerary setting out each overnight stop, including large scale maps of each accommodation, to ensure you find it easily. |
| Emergency Telephone Support | If you get in to difficulties during your holiday, we are always available to help, even out of office hours. |
| 12.5% discount at Cotswold Outdoors | We will issue you with a 12.5% Discount Card valid at all Cotswold Outdoor stores, and online, for the whole year on confirmation of your booking. |
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Options
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| Luggage Transport | We will transfer your luggage between each overnight stop – if you leave your luggage at the accommodation when you set off in the morning, it will be moved on to your next B&B. You only need to carry a small day sack with the clothes and provisions you require during the day’s walk. |
| Packed Lunches |
Provided for each day’s walking and recommended on this holiday as there will not always be a handy shop or cafe on the route. |
| Off Road Parking | If you are travelling by car we can usually arrange off road parking for the duration of your trip. (There may be a small charge for this). |
| Arrangement of return transport | We can also arrange your transfer back to your car, (or advise you when public transport is a better option)! |
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What’s not Included
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| Evening Meals | Your evening meal isn’t included in the package, but we include full details and recommendations for each evening meal in your itinerary. You will normally be within walking distance of a pub and/or restaurant, or where there is good food available at the accommodation, we’ll book that for you. Allow about £20.00 per night. |
| Transport to the Start & Away from the Finish | Have a look at the “Travel Info” tab above for suggestions. If you’re still struggling, get in touch and we’ll help you sort it out. |
| Travel Insurance | Even if you are based in the UK travel insurance is worth having. |
Good accommodation and friendly hosts are an essential part of any holiday. We understand this and go out of our way to find the best. We put a great deal of effort into hand picking our accommodation and matching it to individual customer requirements. As well as visiting the accommodation ourselves, we ask all our customers to complete a short evaluation on each night’s accommodation, which then gives us an insight into the day-to-day operation and lets us spot any potential issues before they become a problem.
We use a variety of accommodation. Over the course of your trip you might stay in a village inn, a bed and breakfast in a converted barn, a Victorian guest house, or on a working farm. In selecting the accommodation we look for helpful, friendly hosts with good quality, characterful accommodation close to the trail. Occasionally we may use a chain hotel.
We always try to arrange en suite accommodation, i.e. rooms with their own bathrooms for each night of your stay. However, in some of the more remote locations accommodation is limited and occasionally we may have to book rooms with shared bathrooms for one or two nights of your holiday, (especially if the booking is made at short notice), but we will always let you know if this is likely to be the case.
We are happy to book single rooms on our holidays but cannot normally book more than two for any one group. Single room bookings include a supplement.
Here are some examples of the accommodation we use on Hadrian’s Wall:
Tynemouth 61, hosted by Stephen, is a charming guest house and tea room located in the heart of Tynemouth. Perfectly positioned, it offers easy access to the stunning Northumbrian coastline and countryside, as well as the vibrant city of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead’s lively quayside. Visit their website
Sam and her dog Branston are your hosts at Vallum Lodge. Located at Twiced Brewed, within an acre of grounds in the Northumberland National Park, by Hadrian’s Wall and the Pennine Way, Vallum Lodge is a perfectly situated bed and breakfast offering a warm welcome and a comfortable stay to weary walkers. Visit their website
Dacre House Luxury B&B on Hadrian’s Wall boasts a unique personality and grandeur. Built in 1860, this stunning property has served many purposes, Temperance Hotel, Board Residence, Tea Rooms and Antique Shop. Dacre House provide evening meals upon request and it’s fully licensed so you can enjoy a glass of wine with your meal. Visit their website
Abbey Farm House is a charming Bed & Breakfast in the breathtaking Cumbrian countryside, just moments away from the iconic Hadrian’s Wall. Your host is world-famous photographer Charlotte Graham, and the house’s hallway doubles up as a gallery. Charlotte is ably assisted by Peanut, the most gorgeous Sprocker pup you could meet!. Visit their website
General travel information on the Hadrian’s Wall area will be in your holiday pack including train and bus timetables where available.
Detailed instructions on getting to your first night’s accommodation by car, or on foot from the nearest train or bus station, will also be included in the holiday pack on individual accommodation maps.
To view train times please visit trainline where you can also purchase tickets in advance. For information on bus timetables please visit traveline
If you require car parking whilst walking this route, we can usually arrange for you to leave your car in Corbridge and then you return to your car by public transport or taxi – please contact us for detailed information.
Getting There:
By Air: Newcastle International Airport (NCL) has its own Metro station (you will need some change for the ticket machine). The journey time from the airport to Newcastle Central Station is around 20 minutes. From Central Station take the train to Corbridge (half hour travel time).
By Public Transport: There is a train station in Corbridge, visit qjump for train times.
By Road: Turn off the A69 at the main Corbridge roundabout, onto the B6529 towards the town centre; follow the directions to your accommodation on the individual map supplied in your holiday pack.
Returning from Bowness on Solway:
Take the bus from Bowness on Solway to Carlisle (approx 45 min) there is a bus at 07:35 and 10:12. There is a train station at Carlisle for onwards travel.
Twice Brewed
Twice Brewed is an excellent place for a rest day - in the middle of the most dramatic section of the wall, and close to the best preserved Roman forts. Vindolanda can take the best part of a day - there are extensive remains, a comprehensive museum, and often an archaeological dig in progress. Housesteads and the Roman Army Museum are also close by.
Carlisle
Carlisle is an historic border city, complete with castle and cathedral. Tullie House Museum has a lot of Roman artefacts and is worth a visit. The cathedral was founded in 1122 and is open every day. The castle has dominated the city for 9 centuries, and also houses a military museum – there are guided tours daily. There are plenty of shops and lots of places to eat or have coffee.
| Prices | GBP (£) |
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| Accommodation, map & guidebook only | £812 |
| with Luggage Transport | £844 |
| with Packed Lunches | £869 |
| with Luggage & Lunches | £899 |
Other Options |
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| Extra Nights (per night) | £95 |
| Single Supplement (per night) | £60 |
| Solo Luggage Supplement (per day) | £0 |