Longbyre to Gilsland, Northumberland: Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief Report

The Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail, opened in May 2003, and developed by the Countryside Agency (now Natural England), aims to help conserve the Frontiers of the Roman Empire: Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, whilst allowing the public to enjoy access to the Wall and its setting. The Path has been designed so that it is not intrusive on the surrounding area, and that the structures installed are in positions that will not adversely affect the Monument.
The part of Hadrian’s Wall with which this report is concerned lies between the B6318 at Longbyre (NY 6358 6622) and the centre of Gilsland village (NY 6560 6607), within that part of the Monument designated as SM26071, in west Northumberland. In this area, the National Trail was established on an existing Public Right of Way, on which stiles had been used to cross field boundaries. This path follows the line of the Wall ditch in the east, moving towards the Wall after a few hundred metres, from which point it lies close to the northern side of the Wall into Gilsland village. It is now important to upgrade these structures in line with the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), to make access easier for the less able. As a result, permission was granted to remove the existing stiles and install gates in their stead. The level of ground disturbance necessitated by the replacement of the stiles with gates in the vicinity of Hadrian’s Wall made it likely that there would be an impact on sensitive archaeological remains and, therefore, it was agreed with English Heritage that the sites of four such structures should be evaluated prior to a decision being made as to the precise type and design of gate. In addition, watching briefs were requested during the excavation of postholes for new gateways at a further six locations.