122 - Hadrian's Wall Country Bus

The Hadrian’s Wall Country Bus makes it easy to explore our Roman heritage and get out and about in some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes.

Sit back and relax as we take you to the sights and sounds of Hadrian’s Wall and journey back to AD122 where you can visit some amazing attractions and experience what life was like in Roman times. Or, you can walk parts of the Hadrian’s Wall path and jump on and off the bus to help you get around.

We’ll make sure you don’t miss your stop as our buses announce all the stops along the route, so just ring the bell when you hear your stop.

From Sunday 19 July 2026, service AD122 will become simply the 122 - this is what will be shown on the front of the bus and on our on-board next-stop announcements, though publicity may still refer to the service as the AD122. Don't worry, the AD122 and 122 are the same service, continuing to connect you with destinations along Hadrian's Wall all year round!

When 122 runs

Our 122 runs daily, all year round (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day)

122 timetable

View the122 timetable – simply change the calendar to your desired date of travel

122 Fares

• Holders of older people’s passes can travel for free on 122 from 9am on Mondays to Fridays, and all day Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
• Holders of disabled people’s and companion passes can travel free on 122, all day, any day.

Places to explore

• Chesters Roman Fort – nestled in a riverside location, it’s not hard to see why Chesters was a good spot for the Romans to set up a base. The fort boasts one of the best preserved Roman bathhouses you can see in Britain.
• Roman Army Museum, Walltown – an extensive museum which gives the whole family a fantastic introduction to the Roman Army and Hadrian’s Wall. Be transported back 2000 years when you put on your 3D glasses to watch the award winning Eagles Eye film!
• Vindolanda – Vindolanda is one of Europe’s most important Roman archaeological sites. The site itself comprises nine forts built on top of each other. Soldiers from all over the Roman Empire, including Belgium, Germany and France were garrisoned here.
• Houseteads – Set high on a dramatic escarpment on Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, Housesteads Roman Fort takes you back to the Roman Empire.
• The Sill – located on Hadrian’s Wall, The Sill 'National Landscape Discovery Centre' has a visitor centre, shop, cafe and rooftop walk, and is a great base from which to explore the wonderfully diverse landscapes of Hadrian's Wall
• Walltown Crags – this is one of the finest places to see Hadrian’s Wall, where it snakes and dives through dramatic countryside along the crags of the Whin Sill.
• Birdoswald Roman Fort – the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of the magnificent World Heritage Site of Hadrian's Wall. Explore the extensive remains of the Roman fort and discover interactive displays – Birdoswald Roman Fort can be reached by transferring at Walltown Quarry Car Park to the HW1 service operated by Reays Coaches (please note through tickets are not available).

Discounts with your 122

We've got some great discounts at places to visit on Hadrian's Wall - just show your 122 bus ticket and save!

• Save 10% on admission to Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum
• Save 20% on admission to Housesteads, Chesters and Birdoswald

Hadrian's Wall on foot

Hadrian’s Wall country is home to some of the UK’s most spectacular landscapes, our 122 and 681 buses makes exploring them on foot easier than ever before. With a Northumberland Day Rover or Under-22 Day ticket, you can hop on and off the bus, all day, joining any of the beautiful walks across the region.

Hadrian’s Wall National Trail

The Hadrian’s Wall National Trail follows the line of the Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing through some of the most beautiful parts of Northumberland – from rolling fields and rugged borderlands to the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Carlisle – with dozens of fascinating museums, forts & attractions along the way.

Anyone who is reasonably fit can walk along Hadrian’s Wall Path and the route is relatively easy. The 23 mile (37 km) section between Chollerford and Birdoswald, mostly served by the A122, is the most difficult, with lots of short climbs and descents. Service 680 also serves Chollerford and service 681 serves Haltwhistle and Walltown Quarry. 

Haltwhistle Burn walk

A circular route initially following the World Heritage Roman Wall route before heading off right over the Military Road down to Haltwhistle with great views of the Tyne valley.

At Haltwhistle you have the option of refreshments before returning back to Cawfields Quarry and Crags via Haltwhistle burn with its wonderful flora and interesting mineworkings.

Connect from 122 at Haltwhistle or Milecastle Inn.

• 6 miles
• 12k steps
• 4+ hours
• Strenuous

Stroll to Thirlwall Castle walk

Between the 12th and 15th centuries, life in Hadrian’s Wall country was dangerous and unstable.

Important families such as the Thirlwalls protected themselves against attack by building strong defensible homes like the one here at Thirlwall Castle.

Stroll along the Hadrian’s Wall trail from the Roman Army museum to Thirlwall castle through Walltown Quarry country park. 

Join the walk at Greenhead or Walltown museum or country park from either 122 or 681.

• 2 miles
• 4k steps
• 2 hours
• Easy

Housesteads & Vindolanda circular walk

Enjoy a walk along the most scenic part of Hadrian’s Wall, involving some short, sharp ascents. Take time to visit Housesteads and Vindolanda Roman forts, Stanegate Roman road and The Sill.

Connect from 122 at The Sill, Vindolanda or Housesteads.

• 7.5 miles
• 15k steps
• 4+ hours
• Difficult

A Barbarian view of the Wall walk

Follow the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail for part of the way, then go north into ‘Barbarian territory’, giving you a view of the Wall snaking along the Crags to the south.

Connect from 122 at The Sill.

• 4 miles
• 8k steps
• 2+ hours
• Strenuous

Chesters & Humshaugh walk

Refreshments at the Crown Inn, Humshaugh, the George Hotel in Chollerford or the tea rooms at Chesters Roman Fort.

Connect from 122 at Chesters or 680 at Humshaugh.

• 2 miles
• 4k steps
• 1 hour
• Easy

The Hadrian's Wall Country website has some great tips on exploring the wall using our 122 service.