The British Countryside is synonymous with tranquility, peacefulness and quaintness. You can expected nothing less than beautifully laid-out villages, quiet laneways and floral meadows filled with fluttering butterflies. In this blog post, we compare some of the key highlights of the Hadrian’s Wall Path versus the highlights of The Cotswold Way.
Hadrian’s Wall Path – The Highlights
Wallsend
At the very Eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall lies Wallsend. Quite literally, this is where the wall stops. In Wallsend, you can find the ruins of Segedunum Roman Fort, once a show of the Roman Empire’s power and might. It is now one of the most excavated Roman ruins along Hadrian’s Wall and has provided a lot of information about what life was like all those years ago.
Sycamore Gap
Sycamore Gap is a beautifully quaint part of Hadrian’s Wall, where the wall gives way and a sycamore tree takes its place. Many movies have used this as a setting, most notably Robin Hood: Men in Tights.
The sycamore and Sycamore was also voted the ‘Best Tree in Britain’, and it’s easy to see why.
Northumberland National Park
You will pass through Northumberland National Park on your way along Hadrian’s Wall. It’s a very popular park with star-gazers and astronomers, as it makes up part of the biggest dark skies area in Europe.
The Cotswold Way – The Highlights
Cooper’s Hill
On Cooper’s Hill, there is an annual cheese-rolling festival. It may sounds strange, and it is. Cooper’s Hill is incredibly steep, and so a large roll of cheese is sent tumbling down. People then chase, run, tumble and roll down after the cheese. The person who reaches the bottom first is the winner.
There have been many injuries and broken bones throughout the years during this festival, however it is still a very popular and fun day out for the community.
Photo Credit: Michael Warren / Flickr
Sudeley Castle
Located in the Cotswolds, Sudeley Castle is a grand manor and estate which has played a large role in England’s history. Many interesting treasures, from the Roman’s to present day, are housed at the castle. The chapel has the tomb of Katharine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s wives, and people can now explore the church in which she is buried.
Bath’s Roman Spa
The Roman Baths in Bath gives you the chance to experience the Roman times. The museum houses exhibits showing what life was like in Bath in the Ancient Roman times, and showing how people spent their time lounging.
We hope that you enjoyed this guide to Hiking in England: Hadrian’s Wall Path or The Cotswold Way. If you are interested in taking an England hiking tour, check out our range of bespoke self-guided itineraries.
