Hadrian’s Wall Country attractions report strong annual visitor numbers

The Hadrian’s Wall Partnership Board, which through joint work looks after and promotes the UNESCO World Heritage Site and iconic visitor destination, has reported sustained annual visitor numbers at key attractions.

Some of the area’s most popular attractions recorded either sustained or increased footfall, including The Roman Army Museum at Greenhead in Northumberland which saw a year-on-year increase of +15%.

Hadrian’s Wall Country has also seen an increase in people accessing the area via public transport, with a surge in passenger numbers on the dedicated Go North East AD122 bus route and the Tyne Valley Railway system – increasing by 11% and 12.85% respectively.

The news comes one year after the felling of the famous tree at Sycamore Gap, which prompted a public outcry and sparked fears from local communities that its loss could negatively impact the tourism economy in the area.

These latest visitor numbers come on the back of significant ongoing investment in tourism infrastructure, to enhance the visitor offer across Hadrian’s Wall Country.

Recent and ongoing developments include:

· £9m secured as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal to support the development of visitor attractions and improve current infrastructure including signage and accessibility.

· A multi-million-pound phased development at Tullie House, to redevelop the site, transform visitor facilities and create new and refurbished galleries.

· A calendar of events and activities for Railway 200, celebrating the impact of the railways whose history is intertwined with the history of the region.

· Visit Northumberland’s Hadrian’s Wall Campaign was created to provide practical and inspirational content for visitors, reaching over 30,000 people across the website and social media.

· The launch of the Hadrian’s Wall Design Sprint, awarding £10,000 to Tyne to Summit to develop an idea for a brand new, sustainable product or service focussed on boosting awareness and engagement with Hadrian’s Wall.

Lady Jane Gibson, Chair of the Hadrian’s Wall Partnership Board, said: “We’re delighted to report that attractions and businesses across Hadrian’s Wall Country are continuing to see strong visitor numbers, with many thousands of people coming to experience what the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the wider area has to offer, all year round.

“Like many, we were deeply saddened by the felling at Sycamore Gap and were concerned for the communities, businesses, and attractions here. However, this latest visitor data demonstrates the resilience of Hadrian’s Wall Country and reflects the appeal of our visitor offer.

“With ongoing investment underway, we are confident that Hadrian’s Wall Country will continue to attract growing numbers of visitors regionally, nationally and internationally to enjoy all that we have to offer.”

Vindolanda Trust CEO, Dr Andrew Birley said: “We’re pleased that attractions across Hadrian’s Wall Country have continued to show strong, sustained visitor figures. The Roman Army Museum and Vindolanda has seen this positive impact. Ongoing investment in our sites, two research excavations coupled to an enhanced activity programme have resulted in visitor figures returning to close to pre-pandemic levels.’

“Hadrian’s Wall is one of the country’s longest-lasting attractions, standing the test of many turbulent times. With significant investments and activity planned for 2025, we’re confident that Hadrian’s Wall Country and its attractions can continue to prosper.”

Jordan Dodwell, Executive Chef & Owner of the Greenhead Hotel, Brampton added: “As the tourism levels along Hadrian's Wall continue to grow, we're seeing more visitors drawn to this historic landmark than ever before. The investment being made into the key visitor sites is crucial - not only for preserving the integrity of this ancient structure but also for supporting the local economy.

“It’s great to see the community benefiting from increased footfall, with more opportunities for small businesses like us. The Wall is not just a historical monument; it’s a thriving part of our region's future.”