Hadrians Wall

Hadrian's Wall is the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain. It stretches seventy-three miles from Wallsend near Newcastle, across the neck of England to Bowness-on-Solway in North West Cumbria, and stands today as a reminder of the past glories of one of the world's greatest empires.

It was built in the 120's AD and because it was not an impenetrable barrier, forts were built at seven mile intervals, milecastles (small guard posts) were built at one mile intervals, and two turrets (towers) were placed between each pair of milecastles, for observation. In front of the wall lay a ditch, except where the crags made it unneccessary. The wall crossed three rivers, and bridges were built.

Within Cumbria are one fort at Birdoswald, Willowford Bridge near Gilsland, and several milecastle and turrets, including Banks Turret.

The rest of the Wall is in Northumbria. Nothing East of Banks Turret exists today. The system of milecastles and turrets continued down the Cumbrian coast for another 26 miles to Maryport, though no wall was built here.

Find out more about Haven Holidays and Breaks, including prices and availability.

Industrial History

To the average visitor, Cumbria means the Lake District - mountains, valleys and water. However, a large number of remains of once thriving industries still exist. Quarries provided stone much in excess of local needs, and stone was exported all around the world. Limestone created a lime-burning industry, with numerous kilns being built in South Cumbria. Beneath the fells, many mines were created to extract copper, lead and iron.

Lakeland is renowned for its rainfall, and this vast amount of moving water was used to harness many mills, some of which still exist in a working state. Other industries included gunpowder manufacture, iron making, paper making, textiles, woodworking, marble polishing, comb making , charcoal burning, shipbuilding and biscuit making.

Find out more about Haven Holidays and Breaks, including prices and availability.

The Lake District National Park

The Lake District is the largest of the United Kingdom's National Parks, and contains 16 Lakes (and many smaller tarns), more than 150 high mountains (including England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike - 3206 ft), 6 National Nature Reserves, 100 sites of Special Scientific Interest, over 50 delectable dales, and hundreds of towns, villages and hamlets within its 885 square miles of breathtaking countryside.

Click to see more of Haven Holiday parks in this area.