Learn about Hadrian's Wall
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| Back in its day, Rome managed to conquer almost half of the world. There was, however, a small part of Northern Britain that was too fierce to be subdued. Instead of invading and overpowering these savage highland men, Emperor Hadrian decided it was far easier to build a 120-kilometre-long wall, cutting the head off their small island, to keep out the "barbarians" and to "ensure that his empire remained intact." This is a fact that many Scots and northerners, descendants of these "wild men," remain proud of today. The wall, which was made of square stones and measured three metres wide by six metres high, is still very much intact, and is the most popular tourist attraction in Northern England. Running across beautiful green rolling hills, untamed fields and rugged mountains, it is a challenging yet pleasant spot for hikers, family picnickers, and history buffs alike. Construction is estimated to have begun in 122 AD, and it is thought that it took around six years to complete. Now a UNESCO World Heritage sight, the wall snakes its way from Wallsend in the East of England along to Solway Firth in the West. Contrary to popular belief, the wall in its entirety rests inside England, and is not the border between Scotland and England. It is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United Kingdom, and as locals would say, you should "gan doon there, son!" |
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