Hadrian’s Wall – Day 1
📍 Route: Wallsend to Heddon on the Wall
🥾 Distance: 16 miles
☀️ Weather: Glorious sunshine
🦶 Health: One tiny blister
The one with the Shuttle Dance, the weird adult-proof swings and the 84-year-old legend.
This is my seventh (yes, SEVENTH!) year hiking Hadrian’s Wall with a group, and I swear it never gets old — unlike my bad left foot! Every trip has a different flavour, depending on the mix of people, the weather, and how many times I get mistaken for a tour guide, a bus driver, and a human pack mule. This year, I’m officially all three.
🚌 The Great Shuttle Dance
The morning started with nerves, not because of the hike, but because I was debuting my new role as minibus shuttle queen. Luggage was loaded by 7:30 am (miracle!), and I drove it to our endpoint, The Swan at Heddon. Martin followed in his car, then whisked me back to our start at Segedunum Fort.
We’ve dubbed this whole logistics the “Shuttle Dance.”
📸 Obligatory Photos and Off We Go!
By 9 am we were off, 14 of us bounding along, full of enthusiasm. Just 84 miles to go – what could possibly go wrong?
Day 1 doesn’t boast the dramatic scenery of the central sections, but it’s a gentle warm-up, packed with quirky highlights and enough acorn signs to keep us heading vaguely west.
We skirted along the River Tyne, passing St Peter’s Marina, where Maria pointed out stained glass windows so big they could double as budget cathedral replacements. I’ve walked this bit loads, but even I had a “how have I never noticed that?” moment.
☕ Pitstop at The Cycle Hub
4.8 miles in, coffee was calling as we arrived at The Cycle Hub. And there was Martin, coffee in hand, looking smug (only joking). The place was buzzing, the coffee was hot (eventually), and spirits were high. I did my usual “keep the river on your left” navigation trick, works every time.
🎡 Swings, Bridges & Baltic Confusion
We swung by (pun very much intended) the Millennium Bridge, admired the Baltic Flour Mill, and let’s just say that people were confused about why we had walked five miles only to be back near our hotel from that morning! 😂
Then we found some… swings. But not normal swings. These were about a foot off the ground and bolted to the floor (see photo!). Naturally, Hayley and Sandie had a go. One of them (no names mentioned) managed to fall off. How, you ask? That’s a mystery!
🙌 High Fives and Heroes
We passed many folks coming the opposite way, finishing their wall trek at Wallsend. Cue high-fives, pep talks, and mutual admiration.
One girl limping along with her dad told me, “That was brutal.” Her dad looked… hollow. Probably traumatised by days of blisters and teenage melodrama.
Then we met an 84-year-old man finishing the entire trail. Not just a few miles. Every. Single. Step. Legend status unlocked.
⚽ Roundabouts, Blisters & Ice Cream
We paused at what I call “The Monument on the Roundabout” – if you’ve walked with me before, you’ll know exactly where I mean.
We lunched near Newcastle Football Club (because nothing says tranquil nature like a giant football arena). I even tended to someone’s blister, post-lunch, thankfully.
The final few miles took us through peaceful parks, ice cream in hand, watching rowers gliding by like they were in a Jane Austen adaptation. Very civilised.
🍷 The Final Push
At mile 14, the route cruelly turns uphill. Because what better time for a hill than when your legs feel like overcooked spaghetti?
But we survived, spurred on by visions of chilled wine at The Swan.
🐶 Pups, Pubs & Perfect Endings
Back in the minibus, I drove us to our lodgings, a whole farm, all to ourselves, complete with Paula (who gives the warmest hugs) and seven Jack Russell pups. Yes, seven. Immediate serotonin boost.
After sorting the sleeping arrangements (no one had to bunk with a pup, sadly), we hopped back in the van for dinner at The Swan. Via the garage, of course — snacks must be acquired.
Dinner was top-notch, and as we did our daily “Roses and Thorns” round-up, it was clear that everyone was already bonding. We’re just one day in, and this group’s already shaping up to be something special.
🌧 Looking Ahead…
Tomorrow promises rain, but I’m not thinking about that now. I’m knackered. Night night.