Today is the first day of our Hadrian’s Wall hike!
We started with a hearty breakfast at the Inn at the Bush, where we stayed last night. The owner was very accommodating and made sure we had packed lunches, even though we hadn’t pre-ordered them the night before.
After breakfast, the owners father, and the Inn’s transfer driver, took us to the starting point at Bowness-on-Solway.
I’d bought Hadrian’s Wall passports for the kids, which needed stamping at points along the route. Some of the adults in the party were disappointed they didn’t have one too, so we started by visiting the local cafe-come-shop to buy a passport for each of us.
After finding the official starting point, we took a few photos and then we were off!
Today’s walk is 26km and takes us from Bowness-on-Solway to Carlisle. The weather was mostly dry, with a heavy horizontal shower near the start, but it cleared up quickly.
At this stage, there is no wall to see, we’re mostly walking through salt marshes next to the water. It’s a long straight road, and we make good time, arriving at a small village pub for a break and a pint of ale. The landlord is quite grumpy and stalks the garden telling us off for one of the party eating a sandwich we hadn’t bought there. After the drinks we hastily move 5 meters to the other side of his wall and ate our sandwiches in a public picnic shelter.
The weather improves as we continue, and we enjoy the walk along the River Eden, which is quite wide and fast-flowing. Tonight’s accommodation doesn’t have a restaurant, so I reserve a table at the pub down the road from the B&B, as we’re walking into Carlisle.
We follow the River Eden to the memorial bridge, before turning off to head to the guest house. The area by the river is really lovely, and it’s nice to have such a green space right in the city.
After arriving at the guest house, we check in and enjoy a gin and tonic and a shower before heading out to the pub for dinner. The football is on, and the pub is packed with locals, so I’m glad I reserved a table. We enjoy our meal with a few pints of local ale, before heading back to the guest house for a good night’s sleep. Day 1 complete!