Getting to Newcastle is easy. If you are planning to arrive by air, there is an airport at Newcastle with direct services to Newcastle Central train station. For those arriving by car, you will be able to leave your vehicle at your accommodation, or if the train is your preferred transport mode, you can either take a taxi from the station to your accommodation or it is just a short 10-15 minute walk away.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 500m

After a hearty breakfast, you will be met by our Skedaddle representative at your accommodation in Newcastle who will provide you with your hire bikes (if hiring), an Information Pack including route notes, maps and additional information for your trip. They will then transfer you to Bowness-on-Solway to begin your family cycling adventure. Bowness-on-Solway is the beginning of the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail, and the village sits on the stunning Solway Firth (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The views of Scotland from here are simply breathtaking. The area is also a haven for wildlife, so keep an eye out for wildfowl during this first part of the trip. Our first day’s riding is a gentle introduction to the trip with a flat ride by the banks of the Solway Firth before skirting Carlisle. This thriving regional city is well worth a visit if time allows; showcasing some of the area’s historic treasures in the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, and boasting Carlisle Castle; still welcoming visitors since Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobites. From Carlisle you continue to Warwick Bridge; this section along the river is very picturesque – so cameras at the ready! You continue cycling on arriving at your accommodation in Brampton for the evening.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 650m

Your cycling today starts with a short roller coaster of a ride that takes you past Lanercost, with its impressive priory and onto your first uphill section of the day towards Gilsland….who in the family will be first up the hill? Just before Birdoswald Roman Fort, there is a superb section of the wall, right next to your cycling route, which leads all the way to Birdoswald. Thirwall Castle (14th Century and built with stone plundered from the wall) and the remains of the Roman river crossing at Willowford are also nearby and worth a viewing if time permits. You will cross the Pennine watershed and gradually climb out of Greenhead before a welcome descent begins into the South Tyne Valley down into Haltwhistle. If you‘re in need of a rest and recharge (and maybe a cake and cup of tea?), there are plenty of tea shops here to take your pick from. At Bardon Mill you head back up the South Tyne Valley to a summit at Smith’s Shield, which will bring you to your accommodation at Twice Brewed.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 450m

After breakfast, you start your day with an exhilarating descent to Vindolanda; a Roman frontier military and civilian site, and a must for those in the family looking to learn a little more about Roman history and culture. Dating back to just before the Wall was constructed, the 2,000 writing tablets (discovered just a mere 30 years ago) form the earliest archive of written material in British history and are matched by similar tablets from the Eastern Frontier; it’s a sort of 360-degree view of empire life. A slight detour towards Housesteads provides outstanding views over Vindolanda and classic Hadrian’s Wall scenery. A cheeky climb takes you to Crindledykes, the highest point of the route (263 metres above sea level). You then drop towards Fourstones before passing through the market town of Hexham, towards the garrison town of Corbridge. With all the major climbs behind you, the route begins to follow the valley floor towards Prudhoe. Passing through the pretty villages of Ovingham and Wylam, passing Robert Stevenson’s Cottage and then crossing the River Tyne twice, you will cycle along an old wagonway towards Newburn following the banks of the Tyne.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 300m

All the ups and downs are now behind you and you can take your time cycling on your final day of cycling.

As you get closer to Newcastle it’s time to count the bridges along the River Tyne. This includes the “blinking eye” Millennium Bridge which you will cycle past, and spans the river from Newcastle on the North bank to Gateshead on the South bank where the Baltic Arts centre and Sage concert hall dominate the skyline. The Cycle Hub is situated on the route just after this and is the perfect place for a well earned cuppa and a slice of delicious hub-made cake. It’s dedicated to the cyclist and also the home of Saddle Skedaddle so why not come and say hello?

Not far to the end now as you head into the heart of the ship-building area of the Tyne. On passing Wallsend – literally the “Wall’s end“, keep an eye out for Segedunum Roman Fort Museum if you fancy a little more Roman history to end your Hadrian’s Wall experience. Look out for the viewing platform in the shape of a Roman Centurian’s helmet!! Continuing along close to the river we soon reach the Fish Quays of North Shields, where you’ll find a bustling little harbour and be able to sample some of the finest fish and chips in the North-East. You are now at the mouth of the Tyne and a few more pedal turns lead to your final destination, Tynemouth. Time to celebrate your achievement – ice creams all round? We will meet you in Tynemouth and whisk you back to Newcastle.