Wanted to share our experience of exploring Hadrians wall with a personal guide, Peter Carney. My wife and I are on a three week trip through northern England, Scotland, and Wales without renting a car. Peter picked us up in Hexham in his car and drove us along the wall, stopping at the Roman army museum, Vindolanda, and several spots on the wall itself. He really zeroed in on what was important to see and understand about roman army life at the frontier of the empire. At Vindolanda he knew the professionals working in the excavation. The discussion went on all day and included our questions about how Britain has changed in the modern era (i.e., brexit). And at the end of the day he drove us to our next hotel near the Beamish museum! I heartily recommend him for your visit to Hadrians Wall.
https://www.hadrianswall-walk.com/?page_id=507
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2712 posts
We toured with Peter a few years ago and thought he was excellent too. Fun day!
Posted by
Boise, Idaho
1259 posts
Perhaps you have Never heard of Hadrian’s Wall? Amusing and educational:
https://www.pbs.org/show/walking-hadrians-wall-robson-green/
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8372 posts
We also toured with Peter Carney in the past. The best investment you will make if you visit Hadrian’s Wall.
Posted by
Delaware
1 posts
I took Peter's Hadrian's wall car tour May 11, 2022. He met me at the Hexham train station that morning after I arrived staying a night in Carlisle. He did a great job managing time both for my dietary requirements and the need to board a train bound south from Hexham at the end. of the tour. I enjoyed visiting the Roman Fort Museum, walking a small section of the wall (Milecastle 42) with a great view, as well as the Vindolanda Roman archeological sight which didn't exist when I lived in Yorkshire during the mid-nineties. Peter provided interesting commentary how the wall and fortification design (eg wall thickness) changed after Hadrian actually visited the area after construction was underway - the original design apparently set passage ways (gates and fortifications) at fixed intervals - likely without considering the landscape - Milecastle 42 seems a good example - the north side of the fortification here basically sits on a cliff - the gateway is down the hill from it. Vindolanda was fascinating - a new area was being excavated during our visit by volunteers and professionals and Peter was on a first name basis with the archaeologists - we spoke with the chief archaeologist working in a pit where he had just discovered a pre-Hadrianic section of road! I highly recommend Peter and this tour.
Posted by
Tucson
4154 posts
Another satisfied Peter Carney customer here. I was the only person on the tour I took in 2016. He picked me up at my B&B in Haltwhistle in the morning and returned me home late afternoon.
We worked our way east, seeing many of the sights already mentioned and ending with a visit to the Durham Cathedral before he took me back to my B&B. The tour was a combination of things I already knew I wanted to see and things he recommended. It was all good.