Discover: An inspiring journey along Hadrian’s Wall

Rich in historic and natural beauty, Northumberland National Park offers a unique setting for adventure and discovery. From pathways to new places to exciting green careers, Julie Phillip shares an inspiring journey with young explorers.

I’m Julie Phillips, the Green Pathways Officer for Northumberland National Park. The Green Pathways project is dedicated to creating routes and opportunities for young people to pursue careers in the green sector, such as land management, conservation and environmental work.

In my role, I raise awareness of these pathways by delivering sessions, attending careers fairs and school assemblies, building valuable partnerships and managing our online hub. Additionally, I identify and develop opportunities for young people to gain practical skills and experience to enhance their employability for future roles.

Navigating unfamiliar terrain

Alongside my Green Pathways role, I’m also a Duke of Edinburgh and Explorer Scout leader. With Hadrian’s Wall right on our doorstep, we’ve done a variety of exciting day hikes and training along the Wall, starting with Beavers at 6 years old to older explorer scouts who are 14-18 years old.

On a recent outing, I was on Hadrian’s Wall leading an older group of explorer scouts who were taking part in a navigation session as part of their training. We wanted to develop and challenge the scouts, so we decided to explore unfamiliar terrain.

We started at Housesteads Roman Fort, following the snaking Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trial and then onto the Pennine Way National Trail, before dropping down beyond the Wall. Next, we made our way through farmland and grazing cattle which was very boggy underfoot. Excitingly, it was here we discovered an old lime kiln, hinting at the historic use of the land years before. From here, we carried on along the Pennine Way, heading up towards Wark Forest. Here, the sudden change in terrain became difficult to navigate through because of all the heather.

A rocky discovery

Next on our journey, we went off the path towards Kings Crags behind Sewingshields. I asked the explorers to navigate toward micro features on the map – such as ridges or cliffs – without using any of the paths. They had to find their way over quite tricky terrain, involving a lot of tall, bouncy heather, which is when we made our next discovery – a group of fascinating, craggy, outcrops and lofts.

There were lots of hidden nooks and crannies here, including caves you could go into, and while we were sitting there for our lunch break, I sat there enjoying the wonderful views. Some of the young scouts went investigating the caves, and some were climbing up and sitting on the rocks.

This unique area offered perfect exploration opportunities for all, and not just for our group. We found evidence of others bouldering here, finding chalk marks you could trace. It was like discovering someone else’s best-kept secret.

A new adventure

We all found this outing particularly memorable; discovering new and unfamiliar sites in a place we thought we knew so well. It gave everyone a different perspective on our natural heritage and local landscape.

Our unexpected discoveries made me realise there are many more adventures to be had close to home. Following this outing, I was inspired to incorporate this walk and navigation training as part of the skills and taster days for the Green Pathways project, linking with events to mark the 60th anniversary of the Pennine Way. I’ve already been back with a friend to share this experience of discovery together.

Green Pathways is a project funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the North East Combined Authority Investment Fund with the North East Combined Authority as the Lead Authority

By Julie Phillips

Julie is the Green Pathways Officer for Northumberland National Park