Hadrian’s Wall sees a remarkable surge in visitors, showcasing its enduring appeal and the positive impact of recent investments in tourism.
Hexham: The Hadrian’s Wall Partnership Board has some exciting news! They’ve reported that visitor numbers to this UNESCO World Heritage Site are holding strong. In fact, key attractions are seeing more folks than ever.
Take the Roman Army Museum in Greenhead, for example. It’s had a 15% jump in visitors compared to last year. Pretty impressive, right?
And it’s not just the museums. More people are using public transport to get to the area. The Go North East AD122 bus route and the Tyne Valley Railway have both seen a nice increase in passengers, up 11% and 12.85% respectively.
This news comes after the unfortunate felling of the iconic tree at Sycamore Gap last year. Many worried it would hurt tourism, but it seems the area is bouncing back.
Lady Jane Gibson, who chairs the Hadrian’s Wall Partnership Board, expressed her delight at the strong visitor numbers. She mentioned that thousands are coming to enjoy what Hadrian’s Wall Country has to offer all year long.
She also shared that they were saddened by the loss of the tree but are thrilled to see the resilience of the area and its attractions.
Recent investments in tourism infrastructure are really paying off. There’s been £9 million secured to improve visitor attractions and make things more accessible.
Plus, Tullie House is undergoing a major redevelopment to enhance visitor facilities and create new galleries. Exciting stuff!
Dr. Andrew Birley, CEO of the Vindolanda Trust, also chimed in, saying they’re pleased with the sustained visitor figures. Their sites are seeing a positive impact from ongoing investments and activities.
They’re even working on a new sustainable product to boost awareness of Hadrian’s Wall, thanks to a £10,000 grant from the Hadrian’s Wall Design Sprint.
Dr. Birley believes Hadrian’s Wall will continue to thrive, especially with more investments planned for 2025. It’s a historic site that’s stood the test of time, and it looks like it’s here to stay!
