10th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON INVERTEBRATE REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
CONFERENCE TOURS
Housesteads Roman fort is the best preserved and most famous of the Roman sites along the Wall. Set in the attractive scenery of the Northumberland National Park the fort ruins are reached by an uphill walk. A guided tour of the ruins will include the fort hospital, granary buildings and Headquarters building.
To the south of Hadrian’s Wall lies the historic market town of Hexham with its 13th century Abbey. There will be time to have lunch in one of the many tearooms or pubs in the town.
The day ends with a drive across the rugged upland scenery of the North Pennine hills where in centuries past lead mining was the main economic activity. Today the countryside is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a landscape of heather moorland and dry stone walls and picturesque villages hidden in the folds of the hills. The final stop of the day will be in the Northumbrian village of Corbridge.
Access
Housesteads Roman fort is one of the best sites to visit along Hadrian’s Wall. However, access to the ruins requires an uphill walk from the coach park to the ruins (approx. 10-15 minutes depending on ability of group). The path is uneven. The fort ruins are on sloping ground. Delegates are advised to wear shoes suitable for walking over uneven ground where the surface is part grass and part stony path. The fort site is exposed to the weather and a waterproof jacket or coat would be advisable.
Level walking in Hexham and Corbridge on urban pavements
Web links relating to this tour for further information and photos
The rugged appearance of the outside of the Castle reflects the warrior background of the medieval Percy family whilst the interior reflects more peaceful times with an exquisite art and china collection displayed in rooms rich with ornate plaster ceilings and fine furnishings. The Alnwick Garden is a new, large scale garden developed for the 21st century by the present Duchess of Northumberland. A water cascade and fountain displays provide the backdrop for formal and informal plantings. The rose garden is simply delightful.
In complete contrast, to the north of Alnwick lies an unspoilt coastline and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Reached by road at low tide this inhabited island has a romantic atmosphere. In the 7th century the island became a focal point for Celtic Christianity and is still a place of pilgrimage today. There is a village with shops and tearooms and the island has two important historic buildings: the ruins of the medieval Priory and a 16th century castle which was rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century by the famous English architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Access details
On Lindisfarne the coach park is a ten minute walk from the village centre and Priory ruins. Level walking throughout the village.
At Alnwick the coach park is a few minutes walk from the castle and gardens. Level walking through the grounds to main entrance of castle. Interior staircase gives access to main state rooms.
Alnwick Castle
Bamburgh Castle
Lindisfarne
Web links relating to this tour for further information and photos
- Alnwick Castle
- Bamburgh Castle
- Lindisfarne
- Lindisfarne Castle
- Lindisfarne Gospels (British Library Link)
- Northumberland
- Northumberland National Park
The city of Newcastle is the commercial and cultural capital of the north east of England. It is a modern, vibrant city and shares 2,000 years of history with its neighbour on the south bank of the River Tyne, the town of Gateshead. This walking tour will explore the architectural legacy of the Grainger Town area and will focus on some of the famous personalities and events which have helped shape the city in the past.
A highlight of this tour is undoubtedly the stroll along the Quayside area where seven magnificent bridges unite both settlements. New art works and exciting new cultural venues such as Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and The Sage Gateshead have resulted in Newcastle Gateshead being reborn as centres of world class culture.
Route to include Grainger Town area, Grey Street, Castle Keep, Bessie Surtees House, Quayside area, Gateshead Millennium Bridge and ending near Baltic Square, lasting about 2 hours.
Access details
This is a lengthy walking tour with no opportunities for sitting. Urban footpaths. Majority is level walking but one hill down to Quayside area.
Durham
