Hadrian's Wall In Newcastle and Wallsend

Hadrian's Wall (Latin: perhaps Vallum Aelium, "the Aelian wall") is a stone and turf fortification built by the Roman Empire across the width of what is now northern England. Begun in AD 122, and largely completed within six years, during the rule of emperor Hadrian to prevent military raids on Roman Britain by the Pictish tribes (ancient inhabitants of Scotland) to the north, to improve economic stability and provide peaceful conditions in Britain, and to mark physically the frontier of the Empire.

A significant portion of the wall still exists, particularly the mid-section, and for much of its length the wall can be followed on foot. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Northern England, where it is often known simply as the Roman Wall. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. English Heritage, a government organisation in charge of managing the historic environment of England, describes it as "the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain".

Hadrian's Wall extended west from Segedunum at Wallsend on the River Tyne to the shore of the Solway Firth. The A69 and B6318 roads follow the course of the wall as it starts in Newcastle upon Tyne to Carlisle, then on round the northern coast of Cumbria. The wall is entirely in England and south of the border with Scotland by 15 kilometres (9 mi) in the west and 110 kilometres (68 mi) in the east.

The Roman Wall was originally built to end at Pons Aelius (Newcastle). Work began in Pons Aelius in 122AD and proceeded towards the west. Subsequently, it was decided that the Wall should be extended further east, probably to protect the river crossing at Pons Aelius. In about 127AD, work was begun on a further four-mile section of the Wall east from the fort of Pons Aelius, passing through present-day Byker and ending at the new fort of Segedunum.

This page will concentrate on the remains and reconstructions in Newcastle and Wallsend only. I think I covered it all but if anyone knows where there may be more to see please let me know.

Part 1 - Segedunum at Wallsend

Segedunum ("strong fort") lay at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall (in Wallsend) near the banks of the River Tyne, forming the eastern-most portion of the wall. It was in use as a garrison for approximately 300 years, almost up to 400AD. Today, Segedunum is the most-excavated fort along Hadrian's Wall.

The site of the fort now contains the excavated remains of the buildings' foundation of the original fort, as well as a reconstructed Roman military bathhouse based on excavated examples at Vindolanda and Chesters forts. A museum contains items of interest that were found when the site was excavated and a large observation tower overlooks the site.













A couple of huge panoramic photos of Segedunum. Click for biggery then click "View Full Size" under the bigger picture.

Part 2 - Wallsend Remains and Reconstruction

A portion of the original wall is visible across the street from the Segedunum museum, and a reconstruction of what the whole wall might have looked like when new.

Part 3 - Reconstruction at Byker

In 2000 archaeologists excavating an area in Byker earmarked for the new East End Swimming Pool and Library rediscovered part of the wall, together with an additional defence system they had never knew existed.

As well as turning up the two-metre wide foundations of the wall itself, the archaeologists found evidence of the Roman equivalent of a barbed wire entanglement.

Part 4 - Benwell Temple

The remains of a small temple dedicated to the local deity Antenociticus. See the photo of the notice board below for more information.

Part 5 - Benwell Vallum

An original causeway over the vallum, or ditch. See the photo of the notice board below for more information.

Part 6 - Denton Burn Remains

A small stretch of remains of the wall on the SW corner of where Denton Road(A191) crosses the West Road(A186).

Part 7 - Denton Hall Turret

The foundations of a turret and a 65-metre (213ft) length of Wall.

Part 8 - West Denton Remains

A small section of the wall 70yds to the west of the Denton Hall Turret(above).












More Information:

• Google Earth Community - Hadrian's Wall .KML File
• Hadrian's Wall Country
• Hadrian's Wall - Wikipedia
• Hadrian's Wall Gallery
• Hadrian's Wall Path - National Trails
• Hadrian's Wall Education Website
• Map showing the route of Hadrian's Wall and the location of the wall forts and other forts close to the line of the wall
• Management plan for the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site
• Hadrian's Cycleway
• Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum - Tyne & Wear Museums
• The Museum of Antiquities

A map featuring the locations of the photographs. Zoom in using the controls in the top left of the map for a closer look of the locations.


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