Hadrian's Wall

I'd intended to write a brief history of Hadrian's Wall for this website but didn't get very far. I can say that the 1,900-year-old structure stretching across Northern England was the largest building project in Europe at the time. When it was finished, it was 73 miles long, 15 ft. tall, and 10 ft. thick.

But there's a lot more to the wall than just its structural history. The political and social events surrounding the wall's construction--and resulting from its existence--are worthy stories on their own. And the more I read about them (and read and read) the more I realize I'm not ready to write about the wall. Possibly when I've seen it.

However, I found several videos online, including the one opposite, that give reasonable histories. I chose this one particularly because it's brief and quite lively. And it says more in its brevity than I could have said in several pages.

Mileage Discrepancies

Hadrian's Wall is 73 miles long, yet we've said we'll be walking 84 miles. What gives? The Wall Path, which runs alongside Hadrian's Wall is 84 miles long. It's a designated British National Trail, completed and officially opened in 2003. You can find out more about the path on our 'Walk' page.

Other Resources

Timewatch, Hadrian's Wall, a BBC documentary with spectacular photography

Hadrian: Building the Wall, a brief but informative video produced by the British Museum--again with gorgeous scenery

Building Hadrian's Wall, a brief history produced by the History Channel

Hadrian's Wall, History and Archeaology, a website of the Northumberland National Park