DIRECTIONS
By Car
NOTE: please don’t rely on just a postcode if you’re using a sat nav; it will just lead you to the middle of Shield Hill, which is a long road stretching all the way from Haltwhistle to the B6318. We are listed on Google Maps (link above), or follow the below directions
From the South via A1:
Leave the A1 West of Newcastle at J75 to join the A69 towards Hexham. Once on the A69, continue for around 30 miles, at which point you will pass a Starbucks on your left. After another 3 miles, look out for a right turn signposted Haltwhistle 1/4 and Hadrian’s Wall camping. Take this turning and then take the next available right turn, signposted Herding Hill Farm, Hadrian’s Wall and Town Centre. Continue up this road until you reach another right turn signposted Hadrian’s Wall and Herding Hill Farm. You are now on Shield Hill. Continue up Shield Hill for just over a mile – we are the final house on the left hand side before you reach the Military Road. If you get to the pub you’ve gone too far! Take care as you enter our drive – it’s a little tight at the top.
From the South via M6:
Leave the M6 East of Carlisle at J43 to join the A69 towards Hexham. Once on the A69, continue for around 15 miles and take the exit marked Greenhead B630, Gilsland and Chollerford (B6318). Turn right at the T-junction onto the Military Road (B6318). Continue along this road for around 3 and a half miles until the Milecastle Inn comes into view on your right, with a turning marked Haltwhistle and Herding Hill Farm. Take this turning and we are the very first entrance on your right. Take care as you enter our drive – it’s a little tight at the top.
From the North via A68
After passing through Ridsdale, continue on the A68 for around 7 miles, then look out for a crossroads, and take the right turn signposted Hexham A6079. Follow this road through Chollerton, until you reach a junction; turn right here onto the Military Road (B6318), signposted Chollerford, Humshaugh, Bellingham and Hadrian’s Wall. Cross the bridge at Chollerford and take a left at the roundabout. Continue on this road, passing Brocolitia Temple, Housesteads Roman Fort, and the Twice Brewed Inn. Look out for the Milecastle Inn coming into view on your left with a turning marked Haltwhistle and Herding Hill Farm. Take this turning and we are the very first entrance on your right. Take care as you enter our drive – it’s a little tight at the top.
From Scotland via A74(M)
Travelling South on the A74(M), as you cross the border into England the road changes to become the M6. Continue on the M6 and exit at J44 for the A689, taking the second exit at the roundabout signposted A689 Hexham, Brampton, Carlisle Airport and Houghton. At the Linstock Roundabout, turn left to continue on the A689 towards Hexham. Continue ahead for around 6 miles, passing Carlisle Airport on your left, then take the second exit at the Brampton Bypass roundabout to join the A69, signposted towards Hexham and Hadrian’s Wall. Continue for around 9 miles, and take the exit marked Greenhead B630, Gilsland and Chollerford (B6318). Turn right at the T-junction onto the Military Road (B6318). Continue along this road for around 3 and a half miles until the Milecastle Inn comes into view on your right, with a turning marked Haltwhistle and Herding Hill Farm. Take this turning and we are the very first entrance on your right. Take care as you enter our drive – it’s a little tight at the top.
By Bus
The AD122 bus runs all year round between Greenhead and Hexham, serving the Roman Army Museum, Haltwhistle town and Vindolanda. There are stops in both directions just a few metres from our top gate. Fares are currently capped at £2 per journey, and buses take contactless card payments as well as cash.
Find the route map and timetable here
Find up to date ticket prices here
By Train
Haltwhistle town is served by the Northern Railway route between Carlisle and Morpeth via Newcastle. The journey time from Newcastle or Carlisle is around 1 hour.
On Foot
From the Wall:
When you reach Cawfields, we are around a 10-15 minute walk away. Facing South at Milecastle 42, you will be able to see Bridge House; we are the white-rendered house built into the hillside with a row of rounded hedges running down the driveway. Walk downhill away from the Wall at Milecastle 42, across the field using the well-trodden path. Exit the gate at the other side, and continue along the tarmac road straight ahead, towards the Military Road (B6318). Alternatively, walk through the car park at Cawfields Quarry and turn left out of the gate. Follow the road round until you reach the Military Road (B6318). Once you reach the Military Road, you will be able to see the Milecastle Inn ahead of you; carefully cross over (people drive very fast on this road), and continue straight along Shield Hill with the pub on your left, past the post box and bus stop on your right. Our drive is the first entrance on your right, and Bridge House itself is a short walk down the drive.
From Haltwhistle:
From Haltwhistle, it takes around 30-40 minutes to walk to Bridge House, via Shield Hill, or the Haltwhistle Burn Footpath. There are no pavements on Shield Hill, and walking this way can be treacherous in dark or wet conditions, so we don’t recommend it. The Burn Footpath is a beautiful walk, but similarly, can be difficult in adverse conditions, especially if you have unsuitable footwear or heavy baggage, so we recommend this only as a leisure walk in fair weather. Find out more about the Haltwhistle Burn Footpath walk here
