Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site, Britain's longest monument stretches for 73 miles across the north of England with the impressive central section lying within Northumberland National Park. Drawn to the wonderful scenery and the access provided by the Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail and Hadrian's Cycleway, large-scale and organised challenge events are becoming increasingly popular with many people taking part to raise funds for charity or as a personal challenge.
Recreational events on this scale, if planned well, can reap benefits for all concerned, for those taking part, for the organisers and beneficiary charities, for the communities and businesses along the way, and with little or no damage to the environment. Poorly planned and badly timed events can cause the reverse to happen, leading to resentment amongst those participating and possibly anger, especially amongst those who were not.
If you are intending to organise such an event, this Event Planners Guide will help you prepare with confidence. It presents an overview of the various sections of the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail with details of landownership, byelaws and policies of those organisations that have a vested interest in the conservation of the monument and the management of public access. More importantly, it provides you with contacts; who will endeavour to help you in your task.
It is important that you make every effort to minimise any damage and make sure that the event does not cause inconvenience to others. You need to assess the likely impact of the event and ask yourself if it is appropriate, in the right place and at the right time of year.
Other than familiarising you and your group with The Countryside Code, there are other factors you need to understand and questions to ask yourself and address:
1. Impact on the physical infrastructure
2. Impact on other visitors to Hadrian’s Wall WHS