Wallsend to Heddon-on-the-Wall
Not since the end of the Roman occupation of Britain, some 1600 years ago, has it been possible to walk along the entire length of Hadrian's Wall. Just imagine that as you set off from the Roman Fort of Segedunum. The Wall was 80 Roman miles long, the National Trail is 84, the odd detour hopefully forgiven.
Tyneside is an experience in itself; the River Tyne beckons with its Quaysides, Baltic Arts Centre and historic bridges. At low tide in the river mud the decaying ribs of Victorian coal "wherries" are another layer in this historic odyssey.
Tyneside is also the cradle of the railway industry; George Stephenson's birth place cottage (National Trust) is only half a mile to the west as you cross the Wylam Waggonway bound for Heddon-on-the-Wall.