Visiting Northern England

[Vintage Gent]

My brother and I will be traveling to Northern England in early May to do a through-hike of the Hadrian's Wall path (roughly from Newcastle to Carlisle). For those familiar with the environs, do you have any recommendations about things we might see and do? We'll be on the trail much of the time, but will have a few extra days to explore the local area.

 

[MLIW]

Newcastle has some nice places, but generally it not the greatest same with Carlisle both are not the greatest places, Pretty rough too

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by MLIW

Newcastle has some nice places, but generally it not the greatest same with Carlisle both are not the greatest places, Pretty rough too

How so? Since we'll literally be walking through both cities, is there anything we should look out for?

 

[ManofKent]

If Roman forts are your cup of tea there are plenty of those on route.

Haltwhistle is a pleasant little town.

 

[Standard Toaster]

Don't bother visiting Lancaster.

 

[Tidybeard]

Head for the Lake District. Try Buttermere, Grasmere and Consiton as towns to look at rather than the very touristy (but equally beautiful) Ambleside, Keswick and Bowness.

If you like cities, Liverpool and Manchester have plenty going on. Liverpool even has some cultural significance and a proper football team.....

 

[Britalian]

northern England? not sure of the exact geography but if you happen upon Penrith, go to the Penrith Tea Rooms and order cake and the finest wines known to humanity.

 

[romafan]

VG - Apropos of nothing other than you will be there, this is a charming little book that obviously deals w/ football, but also so much more:

http://www.amazon.com/Far-Corner-Dri...6014059&sr=1-1

I cannot recomend it highly enough.

 

[gnatty8]

Christ, that sounds like an amazing trip, particularly to do with one's brother.. Where'd you get the idea from? Not the usual weekend in Vegas most brothers tend to do..

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by gnatty8

Christ, that sounds like an amazing trip, particularly to do with one's brother.. Where'd you get the idea from? Not the usual weekend in Vegas most brothers tend to do..

I'm a backpacker by hobby, so I've known about the Hadrian's Wall path for a few years now. It's been something I've wanted to do, but have never been able to arrange. My brother suggested we do a backpacking trip together, and I recommended the path. He's been to the UK a few times on tour with his band, but has never really had a proper chance to see the country.

 

[Tangfastic]

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

My brother and I will be traveling to Northern England in early May to do a through-hike of the Hadrian's Wall path (roughly from Newcastle to Carlisle). For those familiar with the environs, do you have any recommendations about things we might see and do? We'll be on the trail much of the time, but will have a few extra days to explore the local area.

It's definitely worth going to Durham for the day - its just south of Newcastle. The Cathedral is world famous.

 

[gnatty8]

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

I'm a backpacker by hobby, so I've known about the Hadrian's Wall path for a few years now. It's been something I've wanted to do, but have never been able to arrange. My brother suggested we do a backpacking trip together, and I recommended the path. He's been to the UK a few times on tour with his band, but has never really had a proper chance to see the country.

Sounds like a great trip.. Take lots of pics and start a thread when you get back! How long does the hike take in total?

 

[romafan]

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

I'm a backpacker by hobby, so I've known about the Hadrian's Wall path for a few years now. It's been something I've wanted to do, but have never been able to arrange. My brother suggested we do a backpacking trip together, and I recommended the path. He's been to the UK a few times on tour with his band, but has never really had a proper chance to see the country.

VG - I'm curious to know if your preference for things 'vintage' extends to your trekking clobber? Canvas rucksack, etc.? I just read a NYT piece on the Milford Track - put it on your list!

http://www.milfordtrack.net/

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Originally Posted by Tidybeard

Head for the Lake District. Try Buttermere, Grasmere and Consiton as towns to look at rather than the very touristy (but equally beautiful) Ambleside, Keswick and Bowness.

I'll second this ... I was there in 1998 and had a wonderful time hiking in the Lake District. You can jump on a train from London and get to Ambleside in a few hours.

There are more than just pretty hiking sights. There are a few castles in the area; UK Naval Intelligence has an outpost in one (Wray Castle). You can also see the home of poet William Wordsworth, which has a very nice garden. I seem to recall that Beatrix Potter also came from the Lake District.

The memorable moment for the trip was when my buddy and I saw a Harrier fly UNDER us ... we were so close we could see the pilot's faceshield.

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by gnatty8

Sounds like a great trip.. Take lots of pics and start a thread when you get back! How long does the hike take in total?

If I recall, it's 84 miles. I could do it in four days, but we'll probably take 6-7 to give us more time to soak up the local color.

Originally Posted by romafan

VG - I'm curious to know if your preference for things 'vintage' extends to your trekking clobber? Canvas rucksack, etc.?

In this, no. In the parlance of the genre, I'm an ultralight backpacker, keeping things as light and minimalist as possible, while still keeping safety in mind.