Our home is a spacious Victorian stone-built villa in a hamlet on the western outskirts of Gilsland village straddling Cumbria and Northumberland. Gilsland sits at the Western edge of the remote and beautiful Northumberland National Park and on to the breathtaking beaches of the Northumberland coast.
Brookside Villa Bed and Breakfast is less than a half-mile from Hadrian’s Wall between Birdoswald Fort and Willowford, and is close to other historical sites, Housesteads, Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum, Lanercost Priory.
We are at the very heart of Hadrian’s Wall Country, – we’re just off the line of Hadrian’s Wall Trail and on the Route 72 Hadrian’s Cycleway.
Our OS GR is 628 666.
Download our Tips and Directions
Gilsland is at the centre of Hadrian’s Wall Trail - the 84 mile (135 km) long National Trail stretching coast to coast across northern England, from Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne in the east, through the Northumberland National Park to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria on the west coast.
The Trail follows the line of the Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing through some of the most beautiful parts of England – from rolling fields and rugged borderlands to the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Carlisle – with dozens of fascinating museums along the way.
Anyone who is reasonably fit can walk the Hadrian’s Wall Path and the route is relatively easy. The 23 mile (37 km) central section between Chollerford and Birdoswald near Gilsland is the most strenuous, with lots of short climbs and descents - best walked over 2 days.
The route is clearly marked and it’s worth considering whether you would rather walk the Path from east-to-west, in the direction the wall was originally built, or west-to-east, which is recommended for more favourable weather conditions. The best time to walk Hadrian’s Wall Path is between May and October - booking your accommodation in advance is STRONGLY recommended!
We offer B&B on the line of Route 72 Hadrians Cycle Way and are within easy reach of The Reivers Way - Route 10.
We also have maps and details of 5 do-in-a-day-rides within the area, along with details of Cycle Hire and Repair shops.
And of course we have secure bike storage.
Birdoswald Roman Fort at Gilsland - 5 minutes
Discover one of the most awe-inspiring views in the north of England. Birdoswald Roman Fort sits on the longest continuous stretch of Hadrian's Wall which still remains today. Stand on the same ground as Roman soldiers who once patrolled and guarded their empire. And be blown away by the most famous Roman frontier spanning as far as the eye can see before you. This incredible feat of Roman engineering has dominated the landscape since AD 122. Exciting new excavations, uncovering the civilian settlement which serviced Birdoswald, are taking place just to the West of the Fort beginning in June 2021 and scheduled to continue for about 4 years.
Driving east into Northumberland, we are 45 minutes from the vibrant city of Newcastle upon Tyne - via the market town of Hexham and historic Corbridge.
An hour or so will get you to the awesome Northumberland Coast. Closer still is Kielder Water and Forest.
Going west into Cumbria, Carlisle and the M6 are 25 minutes away via Brampton.
The Solway Firth and Dumfries and Galloway are within reach, and we are about an hour’s drive from Cumbria’s Lake District.
All the Roman Forts and Sites - Birdoswald, Housesteads, Vindolanda, Chesters Fort, and the medieval Lanercost Priory are wtih esy reach by car, or using the award-winning AD122 Roman Wall shuttle bus
