20 Attractions to Explore Near Hadrian's Wall

Thirlwall Castle is a 12th-century castle on the bank of the River Tipalt, close to the village of Greenhead. Originally a simple tower the proximity of ready prepared stone quarried from Hadrian's Wall allowed the Thirlwall family to build a structure beyond their modest wealth and was doubtless something of a status symbol for a family aspiring to move up the social ladder.

Lanercost Priory was founded about 1166 by Henry II. When completed in 1220, canons came from the priory in Norfolk, and remained for some 370 years until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, by Henry VIII. The priory is situated at the village of Lanercost, Cumbria, England, within sight of Naworth Castle, with which it had close connections.

Featherstone Castle, a Grade I listed building, is a large Gothic style country mansion situated on the bank of the River South Tyne about 3 miles southwest of the town of Haltwhistle in Northumberland, England. It has played an important role in the battles between the English and the Scots. Originally a 13th-century hall house, a square three-storey pele tower was added in 1330 by Thomas de Featherstonehaugh.

The Sycamore Gap tree is one of the most photographed in the country. It stands in a dramatic dip in Hadrian’s Wall in the Northumberland National Park. In late 2016 it took the crown for English Tree of the Year in the Woodland Trust’s awards.

Crag Lough sits immediately below Hadrian's Wall, and is one of Northumberland's finest low to mid-grade crags, offering over 100 recorded routes, the majority of which are in the perennially popular HS to HVS range. At this point Hadrian's Wall is at the top of a line of crags, the Whin Sill, with Crag Lough at the foot of the crags.

Housesteads is the best preserved of the thirteen permanent Roman army posts along the length of Hadrian's Wall, the famous barrier built to keep the northern tribes out of the settled Roman south. The site is owned by the National Trust and is in the care of English Heritage. Finds can be seen in the site museum, in the museum at Chesters, and in the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Allen Banks and Staward Gorge make up the largest area of ancient semi-natural woodland in Northumberland. This wilderness garden was created by Susan Davidson who lived at nearby Ridley Hall in the 19th century. The property has been designated a site of special scientific interest for its rich flora and fauna. There is a large suspension bridge which has been ruined by the flooding of January 2005.

Epiacum Roman Fort, which is also known by its modern name of Whitley Castle, was built concurrently with Hadrian's Wall. It controlled access along the Maiden Way, an important road connecting that frontier with the wider Roman world, but the primary duties of its garrison would have been to oversee the surrounding lead and silver mines. Unlike most Roman forts that have a "playing-card shape" , Whitley Castle is lozenge-shaped to fit the site.

Kielder water is the largest man-made reservoir in Europe, holding 200 billion litres of water. It is the largest artificial lake in the United Kingdom by capacity of water and it is surrounded by Kielder Forest, one of the biggest man-made woodlands in Europe. The scheme was planned in the late 1960s to satisfy an expected rise in demand for water to support a booming UK industrial economy.

Carlisle Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in the city of Carlisle, in Cumbria, in northwest England. It is the seat of the bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Carlisle. The building is constructed of red sandstone. Large scale restoration was carried out in 1853-7. The present structure has lost the greater part of its original nave, destroyed by the Scots in the 17th century.

Tullie House has one of the largest purpose-built contemporary art galleries in the north of England, Set in beautiful gardens, Old Tullie House is a Grade I Listed building, and holds collections of fine and decorative art, history human and natural sciences and hosts exhibitions of regional, national and international importance.

Carlisle Castle is a great medieval fortress that has watched over the City of Carlisle for over nine centuries. Uncover a fascinating history through lively exhibitions, offering an insight into William Rufus, Mary Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. the castle still plays a prominent role in Cumbria as one of its best-loved landmarks. With an exhibition, a program of guided tours, beautiful medieval carvings, a dungeon, a picnic area, a unique gift shop, and being so close to Hadrian's

Gilnockie Tower is a stunning example of a 16th century Scottish pele tower. Built some 500 years ago, it was home to Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie, a notorious Border Reiver. In 1530 this powerful chieftain was hanged by a Scottish king, his story romanticised by Walter Scott. The tower was rebuilt, but was damaged again by English raids in the 1540s, only to be rebuilt again with a new parapet walk, and a beacon stance on the gable.

Kielder Observatory is one of the most remarkable places to visit in the whole of the UK. A public astronomical observatory which is second to none. Sited in the largest gold tier-protected dark sky park in the whole of Europe, the stargazing can be breathtaking: the ‘Kielder moment’ is very special, the moment that visitors look up at the glittering skies and realise that they’re completely connected to this vast cosmos, yet utterly unique within it.

The Famous Blacksmiths Shop, situated at the heart of Gretna Green village, is the world-famous, historic home of the anvil wedding and has been at the centre of runaway love, since the Marriage Act of 1754. Audio-visual displays bring to life the drama of Gretna Green runaway weddings and there is also a fascinating collection of memorabilia and artefacts from the days when couples crossed the border to take advantage of Scotland's lenient marriage laws.

One of the beautiful waterfalls located in the woods and It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest , designated for its rare ferns and lichen. More than 300 different types of mosses, liverworts and lichen can be found. A magical walk through an ancient woodland, crossing no less than six bridges to reach a beautiful nine-metre high waterfall.

Chesters Roman Fort is the most complete Roman cavalry fort in Britain - wander around the unusually well-preserved baths and steam room, and the officers' quarters.Spend a day out wandering around the unusually well-preserved baths and steam room, and the officers' quarters. You'll find hundreds of ancient artefacts beautifully displayed with e-readers to guide you around the John Clayton museum.

Killhope is a multi-award winning 19th century mining museum in the centre of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The museum stands on the site of the former Park Level Mine, which is being restored to show the workings of a 19th-century lead mine.

The Hexham Old Gaol is in the town of Hexham, Northumberland, England. It is reputed to be the oldest purpose-built prison in England. The gaol was built under the order of Margot and William Melton, the Archbishop of York, in 1330–33. It held prisoners from Hexhamshire and also, in the 16th century, from the English Middle March, before their trial in the Moothall Court Room nearby.