The National Trust’s Hilary Mcgrady is captivated by Hadrian’s Wall

Exploring the history of the region is what captivates Director General of the National Trust, Hilary Mcgrady, when she visits the fascinating Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall stretches 73 miles from coast to coast

Trying to pick a favourite view is like asking which one of my children I prefer, because in my job, every day I see another property or piece of the nation that I love. But one place that will always stand out to me is Hadrian’s Wall. You can stop at any point on the wall and look out over Northumbria National Park and the astonishing view, full of an incredible sense of space and closeness – not only to nature but also to culture, because it encompasses a key story of Britain’s history.

When I was a teenager I went to Hadrian’s Wall to hike, and that’s when I fell in love with it. I still try to get there as often as I can, but it will never be as often as I would like. The National Trust owns land around there, so I can tie it in with visits to properties nearby. These days I still go there to walk. There are some fabulous little bars and lovely restaurants along the route, so there’s always lots to do in between walking and being close to nature. It’s not too far from Newcastle, so although you can switch off, you’re not totally cut off unless you want to be.

The glorious thing about Northumbria is that you can, very easily, get four seasons in one day. I spent my honeymoon there, in May and, I kid you not, over the first couple of days I got sunburnt and by the end of the week I was doing snow angels – it was just extraordinary! The moorland is rich with heather, but there are also spectacular wooded areas, and regenerated scrubby woodland that has become a great place for nature to thrive.

You get such a strong sense of history when you stand on Hadrian’s

Wall. You can barely walk 100 metres without seeing signs of Roman existence, the wall itself of course, the forts, Vindolanda... there’s just so much to see and be part of and embed yourself in the history of that particular part of the boundary that lies between England and Scotland.

Our culture is very much informed by our landscape and always has been, and I think Hadrian’s Wall is an amazing example of that brought to life – it’s one of many reasons that tell me why I’m in the job that I’m in. Discover different ways to get a view of nature from your doorstep – from watching the various garden birds to bug and butterfly spotting – with the National Trust’s Every Day

Nature book by Andy Beer, £12.99, Amazon.co.uk