Standing tall for nearly three hundred years, the lone Sycamore tree that grew within a dramatic dip in Hadrian's Wall was cut down in the early morning of 28 September 2023 in a mindless act of vandalism and violence. Having survived all sorts of storms and extremes of weather that often batter its remote setting,… Continue reading Remembering the Sycamore Gap Tree
Another fortnight of digging at Vindolanda ended earlier this month. It was my second season of excavations there, and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time last year (read here). As I was alone this time, I booked the Excavate & Stay two-week placement and stayed at the Hedley Centre located near… Continue reading Digging at Vindolanda (2023)
This summer, in the year we celebrate the 1900th anniversary of Hadrian's Wall, I participated in the excavations at Vindolanda, the famous frontier fort and settlement in Northern England at the edge of the Roman Empire. Vindolanda is a fascinating excavation site, one of the most productive in the world. Every year, between April and… Continue reading Digging at Vindolanda (2022)
After a lengthy inspection tour on the Rhine and Danube frontiers, Hadrian arrived in Britannia in the summer of 122 with his friend Aulus Platorius Nepos, the man chosen to be the new governor of the province. Nepos' previous posting had been to Germania Inferior, where Hadrian had just spent the last couple of weeks… Continue reading Summer AD 122 – Hadrian inspects the northern frontiers: part 5 Britannia (#Hadrian1900)
Happy 1946th birthday, Hadrian! 🎂 I baked a cake for Hadrian's birthday inspired by Hadrian's Wall and the HW1900 festival this year. 2022 marks the 1900th anniversary of the beginning of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall. Starting today on Hadrian's birthday, the HW1900 festival will celebrate this epic milestone with hundreds of events taking place along… Continue reading Felicem diem natalem, Hadriane! #HW1900 🎂
At the start of the month, I headed to Hadrian’s Wall to attend some of the Roman events taking place to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Hadrian’s Wall being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 1,900 years since Hadrian became Emperor. Hadrian’s Cavalry was the theme chosen for the celebrations, with a fantastic programme of… Continue reading Turma! Hadrian’s Cavalry Charge in Carlisle
Read ⇒ Top 10 Sights along Hadrian's Wall --- Hadrian's Wall has long attracted hikers and history fans and is now the heart of an 84-mile (135 km) long National Trail through some of Britain's most beautiful countryside. Stretching across the country from Wallsend on the River Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway on the… Continue reading Walking Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall Trust has launched a new fundraising campaign to ensure the World Heritage Site survives for future generations. People are invited to attach their names to a stone, not on Hadrian’s Wall itself but on a virtual realisation of it on the website adoptastone.co.uk. Linda Tuttiett, Hadrian’s Wall Trust chief executive, explained: "The budget… Continue reading Adopt a stone and help save Hadrian’s Wall
An absolutely beautiful spot! This iconic tree was made famous by the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991). It is one of the best Hadrian's Wall views and a much photographed point. The walk from Steel Rigg to Housesteads is my favourite part of the Wall and offers the best views Northumberland has to offer. The scenery and panoramic views are just… Continue reading Picture of the day: Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland (UK)
