How long is the Roman England: The Fosse Way to Hadrian's Wall route?

This route takes 11 days taking in 7 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Exeter to Hexham in Southwest England, the Cotswolds, the Midlands and the North, England.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to September.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Hotels accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Culture, Classic road trip, City hop, Scenic.

Roman England: The Fosse Way to Hadrian's Wall

1

Exeter

1 night

Isca Dumnoniorum, the legionary fortress where the Fosse Way begins. Nearly two miles of Roman and medieval city wall still ring the centre, and the underground passages that carried the city's water run beneath the shopping streets. One night is enough to walk the circuit and start north in the morning.Isca Dumnoniorum, the legionary fortress where the Fosse Way begins. Nearly two miles of Roman and medieval city wall still ring the centre, and the underground passages that carried the city's water run beneath the shopping streets. One night is enough to walk the circuit and start north in the morning.

Recommendations

2

Bath

2 nights

Aquae Sulis, built around the only hot spring in Britain. The bathing complex below street level is the most complete Roman building in the country, and the temple pediment beside it is the finest Roman sculpture found here. Two nights allow the baths, the Georgian city above and a spa afternoon.Aquae Sulis, built around the only hot spring in Britain. The bathing complex below street level is the most complete Roman building in the country, and the temple pediment beside it is the finest Roman sculpture found here. Two nights allow the baths, the Georgian city above and a spa afternoon.

Recommendations

3

Cirencester

1 night

Corinium was the second largest town in Roman Britain, and the Fosse Way met Akeman Street and Ermin Way here. The Corinium Museum holds the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the country after London. A single night works well, with the Cotswold drive north as the reward.Corinium was the second largest town in Roman Britain, and the Fosse Way met Akeman Street and Ermin Way here. The Corinium Museum holds the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the country after London. A single night works well, with the Cotswold drive north as the reward.

Recommendations

4

Leicester

1 night

Ratae Corieltauvorum sat where the Fosse Way crossed the Soar. The rebuilt Jewry Wall Museum reopened in July 2025 around one of the largest Roman bath house sites in Britain, with the surviving wall standing seven metres high outside the glass. One night, mostly spent on foot.Ratae Corieltauvorum sat where the Fosse Way crossed the Soar. The rebuilt Jewry Wall Museum reopened in July 2025 around one of the largest Roman bath house sites in Britain, with the surviving wall standing seven metres high outside the glass. One night, mostly spent on foot.

Recommendations

5

Lincoln

1 night

Lindum Colonia, where the Fosse Way ends and Ermine Street runs north. Newport Arch still carries traffic through a Roman gate, and the uphill quarter climbs from the Roman lower town to the castle and cathedral. One night, with a steep but short walk between the two halves of the city.Lindum Colonia, where the Fosse Way ends and Ermine Street runs north. Newport Arch still carries traffic through a Roman gate, and the uphill quarter climbs from the Roman lower town to the castle and cathedral. One night, with a steep but short walk between the two halves of the city.

Recommendations

6

York

2 nights

Eboracum was the northern command centre of Roman Britain, where Constantine was proclaimed emperor in AD 306. The fortress wall underlies the medieval walls you walk today, and a bath house survives under a city-centre pub. Two nights, the last comfortable city before the frontier.Eboracum was the northern command centre of Roman Britain, where Constantine was proclaimed emperor in AD 306. The fortress wall underlies the medieval walls you walk today, and a bath house survives under a city-centre pub. Two nights, the last comfortable city before the frontier.

Recommendations

7

Hexham

2 nights

The market town base for the central sector of Hadrian's Wall, with the abbey built from stone robbed out of Corbridge Roman town. Two nights cover Vindolanda and Housesteads properly, plus a walk along the Whin Sill where the Wall runs along the cliff edge.The market town base for the central sector of Hadrian's Wall, with the abbey built from stone robbed out of Corbridge Roman town. Two nights cover Vindolanda and Housesteads properly, plus a walk along the Whin Sill where the Wall runs along the cliff edge.

Recommendations

Roman England: The Fosse Way to Hadrian's Wall