Embarking on an end to end tour of Hadrian's Wall is no mean feat and requires stamina, but is well worth the effort, with a wealth of different wildlife, ancient sites, charming towns and tourist attractions along the way.

The Wall is split neatly into four sections, any of which can be walked, cycled, driven or travelled along by public transport. I found it was nice to mix these up, each offering a unique way to see the wall and the scenic countryside of the north of England.

Hadrian's Wall is symbolic of the Roman Empire, of its vast reach and of its failure to conquer the Scots. Running for 73 miles across open country, the wall was built on the orders of Emperor Hadrian, who visited Britain in 122AD, as a means of separating "Romans from Barbarians".

Starting on the east side of Britain, I decided to take the train the first section of the route, starting from the Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum at Wallsend. The fort, on the banks of the River Tyne, was the last outpost of Hadrian's Wall for nearly 300 years and home to hundreds of Roman soldiers. The museum is equipped with a magnificent 100 feet-high viewing tower overlooking the site and local landscape, as well as an authentic reconstruction of a Roman bath house, complete with replica fresco wall paintings.

Taking the train from Segedunum, along the wall to Corbridge, one of most important sites along Hadrian's Wall, home to the ruins of a Roman villa, a fort and a good museum with a large collection of Roman finds.

The village, much of which was built using stones from the wall, has a rich Saxon and medieval past and is now a pretty Northumberland town, with tourist shops, boutiques and plenty of accommodation, including the hospitable and comfortable Angel of Corbridge hotel on the main street,

Hiring bikes and cycling around Corbridge offered the chance to explore important Roman sites such as Vindolanda (home of the famous writing tablets), Housesteads (set against an awe-inspiring backdrop) and Chesters Roman Fort, all of which were steeped in history and the bright, warm weather offered the chance to enjoy the Northumberland countryside. A night in historic and cosy Hexham followed, along with a sampling of the many excellent local pubs.

Purchasing a Hadrian's Wall Bus Rover Ticket for the next couple of days in Corbridge, the next day I hopped aboard and travelled along the wall listening to one of the excellent onboard Heritage Guides Stopping at Haltwhistle to see the Roman Army Centre, I learnt about the harsh lives of soldiers posted at the wall and took the opportunity to look at one of the most intact sections of the vast wall, providing me with some sense of how vast and imposing it must have been for the ancient Britons.

On that evening to the small town of Walton, a charming huddle of old buildings, and the wooden beamed Centurion Inn, with a traditional country feel, tasty food, real ale and a warm welcome. Continuing west the next day, again by bus, I chose to stop in Cumbria's main city, Carlisle, for a day sightseeing, shopping and sitting in the many stylish bars and restaurants.

Walking part of the wall in Cumbria, from the green and rolling farmland to Maryport, on the Solway Estuary, was a great experience, providing me with the chance to better understand the vastness of the bleak and dramatic outpost of the Roman Empire.

The journey ended with a trip to the Senhouse Roman Museum in Maryport, one of Britain's oldest collections, with an impressive array of Roman military artefacts and sculptures and the nearby ruins of a Roman fort.

Hadrian's Wall provides a perfect long weekend trip in the UK, with delightful towns and villages, fascinating historic and Roman sites and breathtaking countryside all on show. To do the full 84 mile walk along the wall, allow at least a week to take everything in.