On the 13th of March 2010 Hadrian's Wall will be lit by gas beacons, a once in a lifetime event that will never be repeated.
From Wallsend on the east coast to Bowness on the West, approximately 500 beacons spaced every 250metres will cover the 84 miles of the Hadrian's Wall.
The first beacon will be lit at Wallsend at approx 5.35pm and lighting will progress in sequence east to west with a six second delay between each beacon firing up so, 50 minutes later the last beacon will be lit.
Beacons when lit will be about 10ft high.
They will burn for approximately 75 minutes.
There is a plan to extinguish all of the lights at the same time to mark the anniversary of the end of Roman Occupation in 410AD
You can apply to be one of the team who light the beacons and will receive a certificate to say you were an 'Illuminator', to date there have been 1500 applications, Sign up here.
Audience participation events are planned in Wallsend/Newcastle and in Carlisle Celebrations in Carlisle
Organizers are hoping the main visitor focus will be at these two events.
(But when you think about Hadrian's wall Newcastle or Carlisle don't immediately spring to mind do they?)
A lot of the Hadrian's Wall Path is relatively flat and, in the dark, not terribly interesting but it's not hard to see that the high crags part of Hadrian's Wall from Sewingshields to Birdoswald is going to look spectacular.
Steel Rigg
at Housesteads (NY790687)
and Birdoswald(NY618663)(CA8 7DD)
Disability parking will be available at Brocolitia (not exactly an exciting view point!)
It is possible that all other car parks on Hadrian's Wall will be locked and laybys will be cordoned off. (They cite health and safety reasons)
The roads are very, very narrow and the grass verges are boggy with hidden ditches so parking is going to be a problem if you haven't got a ticket for the official parking sites.
Park and Ride may be available depending on demand.
The highest point on Hadrian's Wall is Winshields Crag and that can be accessed from Steel Rigg, there is normally a parking fee but on the 13th tickets will be free.
The view from Winshields Crag
There is no additional entertainment planned for any of the viewing areas at this point in time, for me it will be enough to be able to say 'I was there when Hadrian's Wall was illuminated', but maybe you should think of taking a flask of coffee and extra warm clothing as there'll be a lot of standing around.
At Steel Rigg you're near to the Twice Brewed pub and there are toilets in the Once Brewed Visitor Centre. Housesteads has toilets and the cafe/toilets at Birdoswald may be open during the event.
Take a torch, the ground is uneven and the rocks are slippery.
Remember you are walking on farm land and as it's lambing time, keep dogs on a lead and do close gates, please respect the countryside don't leave litter.
Hadrian's Wall itself is an ancient monument - don't climb up on it for a better view.
Posted at the request of HW Trails officer
Photographers - my website has a grid reference on each of the photographs that should show you, on the centre of the relevant multimap, where I was standing when I took the shot. Please plan well in advance how you are going to get to your chosen spot.
If I learn anything more I will blog it here for you.
Vindolanda will be open that weekend and in my opinion it's the most interesting site on Hadrian's Wall and well worth a visit.
NB The Vindolanda Museum is currently being upgraded and won't be open to visitors.
For accomodation in this area try here. B and B's are already filling up so don't dither.
Thank you for your information, was wondering about how long the torches would be lite for, hope the weather holds out as you said a once in a lifetime event,
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline I've been told they'll burn for 50-75minutes.
ReplyDeleteThe events at wallsend and Carlisle will last longer.
See www.illuminatinghadrianswall.com for more information
Joan