Hadrian's Wall one day visit

Visiting Vindolanda at Hadrian's Wall was one of the highlights of our UK trip. We were also traveling from York to Edinburgh. We rented a car in Newcastle at the train station for the day, then dropped it off back there again to catch the train on up to Edinburgh (a beautiful stretch of track btw). Took in a couple of area castles that day as well. have a great time!

Hertz has an office at or near Newcastle Central Railway Station, at 2 Forth Banks. You might explore further for a car using Auto Europe. If you haven't driven in the UK, driving on the left will take getting used to and the whole process may detract from your enjoyment of the wall and surroundings. Another option might be a bus to nearby Hexham and then the AD 122 bus which runs along the roads nearest the wall from Hexham to Haltwhistle and back, stopping at the various notable sites and museums. This website has a great deal of info about the wall, including (under "Getting Here") bus timetables.

We drove to Hexham (from Durham) and took the AD 122 when we visited, it all worked very well. (And Hexham has a wonderful old church right by the bus station.) But I wouldn't discount the value of a tour or guide, who can give you much more information than you'd ever get on your own and allow you to focus on surroundings instead of driving.

To experience the wall in a one-day trip doesn't require going all the way from Newcastle to Carlisle or vice versa. Whether by rental car, bus, or tour, you can have your fill by going west from Newcastle as far as time and your interest allow, then returning. And you should be able to check your bags at the Newcastle station if you're returning there to go on to Edinburgh.

How much time will you have for the wall if you're training from York to Edinburgh in one day?

If you're going to Edinburgh I wouldn't recommend driving Newcastle to Carlisle, but if you insist on that route I would take the train to Carlisle and finish your journey along the Wall in Newcastle. Personally I would recommend as others suggest - train to Newcastle, hire a car there, and then drive up to the Wall (either Housesteads or Vindolanda) before tracking back to drop it off and carry on to Edinburgh.

If you want to hire a guide that's fine, but I believe the Wall is something that can be done without one. Vindolanda and the nearby Roman Army Museum are packed with information about the area and life on the Wall. Unless you're walking the Wall (which given your limited time I doubt you'll be doing) I think you can go without a guide.

I did Hadrian's Wall in one day last September. I was going to use Peter Carney, but he was booked that day. He did explain on the phone that he could tailor the tour to whatever I wanted, so if you are concerned about his tours being set in stone, that isn't the case. I had to use a car instead, and I don't think you have to drive the entire wall to experience it. I'd rent the car in Newcastle, tour the wall sights, and drive back to Newcastle to catch the train to Edinburgh. Be sure you get an automatic since you'll be driving on the left. Because of time factors, I'd avoid taking the bus that other have recommended.

The best section to walk is the trailhead at Steel Rigg. You must give yourself an hour or two to walk that portion--and the farther you walk from the parking lot, the fewer people you'll see. Of the three major museums, Vindolanda was my favorite--compelling archaeological digs plus excellent museum with amazing Roman artifacts.

Equally important is to ensure whatever train tickets you have allow you to break your journey.

The best part of the Wall is midway between Newcastle and Carlisle so that's the area to aim for. There's relatively little to see elsewhere.

As an alternative you could pick up a car in Durham and return it in Newcastle or even Morpeth. That would give the opportunity to see more of the countryside in County Durham and Northumberland.

This is JUST the information I was looking for! Now, we have educated decisions to make! Thanks, again.