Leaving town on the A69 Carlisle road through Little Corby to Warwick Bridge where after crossing the bridge bare left to Wetheral which is overshadowed by Corby Castle with its stone lions on the roof. There was a Benedictine Priory here of which the gatehouse remains and St Cuthbert was said to have been buried here in the 7th Century.

Continuing down the Eden valley  as it winds it's way down the west side of the Pennines to Armathwaite where the castle started as a pele tower against the Scottish Marauders. Continuing through Kirkoswald  and Glassonby to Robberby turning left for Melmerby.

The vale of Eden continues it's way south alongside the Pennines from Carlisle to Kirby Stephen in the Yorkshire Dales and has a Art Sculpture Trail, which has 10 distinctive works by various local Artists, giving an interesting route to follow.

We are now heading down the South Tyne Valley past Whitley Castle which is located a short walk west of the road before Slaggyford on Knarsdale Common, although well south of Hadrian's wall it was built by the Romans to police the hills within their domain.

  Lambley Viaduct

Through Slaggyford to Knarsdale the road follows the river and restored railway to a turn off for Coanwood where there is a Car Park and footpath to the Lambley Viaduct a majestic sight worth visiting. The hardy can picnic and swim in the South Tyne under the bridge.

Returning to the road towards Greenhead we pass Blenkinsopp Castle before turning west on the main A69 Highway between Newcastle and Carlisle. after less than a mile we turn off into Greenhead where there is a Youth hostel  and refreshments available.

Greenhead is on Hadrian's Wall with the remains of a roman Camp their, at this point you may wish to take a detour east and follow the wall to Chollerford. This being the main stretch were the remains have been excavated and access provided, an area covered in detail on another page. Click Here

Taking the back road out of Greenhead to Gilsland, also on the Roman Wall where Sir Walter Scott proposed to Charlotte Carpenter by a rock known locally as the Popping Stone. (Popping the Question)

Nearby the remains of Gamboglanna Fort at Birdoswald is the largest preserved stretch of wall open to view, covering five acres it was built to house between 500 - 1,000 cavalry and infantry troops, making it the largest garrison at this end of the wall.

Turning off the main road to follow the wall to Banks where the East Turret remains are found, a two storey observation post of which there were two between each mile castle located every 1,620 yards along the wall.