HADRIAN'S WALL

Almost 2 000 years ago, in the year 122, Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of this wall to mark the delimitation of the Roman Empire and protect it from Barbarians. The wall, which may be half, is punctuated by monuments, sites of interest and accommodation possibilities. You can drive by car the most interesting 35 km on the B 6318 (north of the A 69) or foot, starting from Lanercost Priory, 20 km east of Carlisle and 3 km west of Brampton, a small village inspired by Walter Scott. On the site of this old priory, a stone indicates that the monks were entitled to 25 bottled (15 litres) of beer per day and to 50 bottled on Sunday! The part of the best preserved wall - the priory of Lanercost is not the only construction of the region to have served the wall as a stone quarry - stops at Chesters Fort, north of Hexham. Hikers must take two days for this journey (buses can bring them back to their starting point).

For accommodation and all practical information about the region, Haltwhistle has a tourist office at the station (& +44 1434 322002) which offers a list of rooms in the inhabitant. North of the wall is the Border Forest Park. In the centre, the Kielder Water, a large, fairly isolated lake, attracts many nature lovers. The wall and the natural park are crossed by the Pennine Way, a hiking route from the Midlands and stop on the border. This path follows the wall over a dozen kilometres.