I will have two days next summer to visit Durham and Hadrian's Wall, but I'm wondering where is the best place to base myself. I will have a rental car. I'll be driving up from Whitby and continuing on to Scotland afterwards. Any suggestions for good towns? I was originally thinking about staying in Newcastle to have access to more restaurants and services, but probably now thinking the parking situation will be challenging and expensive. Any help is appreciated!!
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7576 posts
Well, it's a bit of a drive to squeeze in both Durham and Hadrian's Wall. If all you want to see is the cathedral in Durham, I would stop at the cathedral on the way from Whitby (there is a giant enclosed car park near the cathedral), then continue onto Haltwhistle and sleep there for both nights. From there, you can visit all the Hadrian's Wall sites. After that, head up to Scotland.
But if you want to see more of Durham, just spend the first night there, visiting as many places as possible, then the next morning head to Haltwhistle for the H Wall portion, and after that, drive on up to Edinburgh.
If you do stay in Haltwhistle, I highly recommend the B&B called the Old School House. I loved this place and it is very reasonably priced.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1494 posts
Hexham is at the east end of Hadrian's Wall and it looked like a pleasant town to base yourself and it is easy access to the places you are going. Haltwhistle is also a good place to stay while visiting the Wall as there are the off/on buses supporting hikers beginning there.
Posted by
Lake District, England
7331 posts
Since Mardee was in Haltwhistle a new place has opened for light lunches and all day refreshments from 10 am to 4pm - the old water tower (at the Railway Station). They also sell local crafts.
It was once a water tank to refuel steam engines, now beautifully converted. I was there today, apparently it opened 6 days ago.
So there's up to date information.
It was a visit due about a week after Mardee was there, repeatedly delayed. Sometimes such delays result in happy serendipity!
Hexham is a bigger town to stay in, or Corbridge- 4 miles further east.
Roman remains right in the town itself at Corbridge, straight on the A68 for the journey to Scotland through the Scottish Borders. And the Indian Restaurant there has a very high reputation.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7576 posts
Kathleen is right in that Hexham would also be a good choice. And actually probably better than Haltwhistle.
But I still think that if I were driving up from Whitby, I would stop in Durham first and visit it for a day, and then drive to Hexham for 2 nights, where you can visit the Wall sites, like Vindolanda and Housesteads.
Since Mardee was in Haltwhistle a new place has opened for light lunches and all day refreshments from 10 am to 4pm - the old water tower (at the Railway Station). They also sell local crafts. It was once a water tank to refuel steam engines, now beautifully converted. I was there today, apparently it opened 6 days ago.
Stuart, how interesting! It sounds really nice! Too bad I missed it. :-)
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2205 posts
If youy base yourself in Hexham/Coirbridge/Haltwhistle area, then take the A68 to Edinburgh. This is a much more interesting route than the A1. It travels through some of the most isolated moorland scenery in Northumberland as it climbs up Redesdale to the Border at Carter Bar. Do stop here for the views - they are fantastic as Scotland suddenly opens up below you.