Hadrian's Wall Day Trip Itinerary with Kids

This post was published and based on a visit in May 2026. As always, please check with venues direct for the most up to date info (especially opening hours). 

This year we have vowed to make the most of our various memberships and decided to spend May Bank Holiday visiting Hadrian's Wall. This is a full day itinerary that should take 5-6 hours if visiting by car. This trip is also possible by bus (AD122). 

1- Birdoswald Roman Fort

This is the best Roman Fort to visit with kids in my opinion. It’s fairly small & flat but packs lots in. There’s an outdoor trail where you have to solve missions & work your way around the fort to catch a spy, a family room with dress up, table & chairs for indoor picnics and small toy area plus a modern interactive museum with activities including using LEGO to build Hadrian’s Wall, a periscope and a Roman pulley system to try. Cafe and toilets.

2 - Housesteads Roman Fort

It is a bit of a climb up a hill here to reach the fort but it’s worth it for the views including excellent views along the length of the wall. Kids will love to explore the best preserved Roman Toilets in Britain and you can visit all four gates. There are lots of sheep running around which are cute plus a Roman Museum with Roman dress up & a chance to handle replica Roman artefacts. Cafe currently undergoing refurbishment. There are picnic tables & temporary loos at the top of the site

3 - Chesters Roman Fort

This is a lovely peaceful site which was once home to 500 Horses from the Roman Cavalry. You’ll also find the best preserved Roman Bath House in Britain and learn all about the rituals involved and it’s a good fort for actually walking amongst the ruins. There’s a nice cafe, toilets & small museum on site.

🐉All three options include a FREE Folktale Creature Trail where you can learn more about an English Legend and listen to the story using a QR code. Just ask for a trail sheet on arrival.

👣We walked around 10k steps, covered 5.5km and spent around 5 hours exploring the three sites including a picnic at Housesteads. We have visited all sites before though & skipped the museums this time.

🐶Pet dogs on leads are welcome in all areas except for the indoor museums at Housesteads & Chesters.

🚘 The route between the three sites takes 30 mins to drive (total), you can also catch the AD122 bus which stops at all sites. It would take around 8 hours to walk between sites or just over 2 hours to cycle. Looking to extend your day? Check out these options nearby:

• Thirlwall Castle Adventure (free)
• Walltown Country Park (free)
• Cawfields Quarry (free)
• The Sill (free)
• Planetarium at Twice Brewed
• Roman Army Museum
• Vindolanda
• Sycamore Gap Walk (free)
• Temple of Mithras (free)