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11. Tyne Gap and Hadrian's Wall
• A narrow but distinct corridor running east-west through a lowlying gap between the uplands of the Pennines visible to north and south.
• Farmland, pastoral in the west, merging to mixed and arable to the east, along the Tyne valley, with broadleaved woodland and conifer plantations on side slopes, contained to the north by the parallel scarps of the Whin Sill.
• Rough grazing on elevated land, and loughs and rushy pastures north of the Whin Sill, contrasting with the more fertile floodplains of the South Tyne, and the intimate wooded valley of the North Tyne.
• Very evident remains of the Roman Wall, forts, and associated archaeological features on the Whin Sill scarp running along the north side of the Tyne Valley.
• Significant transport route linking east and west through the Pennines followed by the Military Road, the Carlisle to Newcastle railway, the A69 trunk road and overhead lines.
• Main settlements located strategically along the valley, with scattered large farmsteads with castles and fortified structures, including bastles and pele towers.
For further details on this character area and for an introduction to the region, please see the PDF documents in the box at the top right hand side of this page.
