I

t doesn’t matter if Hadrian’s Wall was a big ol’ Roman up-yours to the world or a necessary barrier to keep the ‘barbarian’ tribes out of England; it’s certainly more interesting and handsome than any wall has a right to be.

And now for the first time in hundreds of years, you can walk along the entire 73 mile length from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway. If that sounds too much like hard work then take the time to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the North Cumbrian section by stopping at the Hadrian’s Wall Camping and Caravan Site (www.hadrianswallcampsite.co.uk).

Just two miles north of Melkridge Village, the site is a stone’s-throw from the wall itself and as you might expect, more than a little eerie.

There’s no better incentive for a day’s walking than unzipping your tent each morning and seeing the architectural embodiment of come-and-have-a-go-if-you-think-you’re-hard-enough. Now that you’re motivated, join one of the walking tours that use the site as a base and begin exploring the local milecastles, forts, and museums.

And if at any point the weather turns ugly, simply shout “It's hossing it doon!” and run for the campsite’s bunk barn. With a centrally-heated common room and a place to cook, it’s a luxury those lonely legionnaires would have killed for.