Wall Face 21 August - 9 November

Portraits of the people who revealed Hadrian’s Wall

Wall Face is a Wall-wide display of portraits of the pioneers who protected, conserved or told the story of Hadrian’s Wall. This exhibition at 11 Roman attractions features prints and photographs from the National Portrait Gallery Collection.

The antiquarians and archaeologists that feature in this exhibition are well known because of their character, activities and achievements.They often held positions of high-standing that enabled their activity at the Wall. They contributed to the way we understand and study archaeology and the Wall. They have all earned a place in the archaeology ‘hall of fame’.

Sir Mortimer Wheeler © National Portrait Gallery, London

This is the first time that all the sites and museums along Hadrian’s Wall have collaborated in this way to create a single exhibition involving all the attractions across the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.

Tell us what you think #WallFace

A Wall Face passport is available to encourage visitors to go to more than one of the sites participating in the exhibition. Find out more here. 

For information on the Wall Face pioneers who feature in the exhibition and where to see them visit:

Sir Ernest Budge

William Camden

R G Collingwood

John Hodgson

William Hutton

John Leland

Sir Ian Richmond

William Stukeley

Sir Mortimer Wheeler

The Hadrian’s Wall Country Trails app provides more information about the Wall Face exhibition and characters in the portraits and where to see them. Download app from iTunes here or Android here.

Find out about the Wall Face events programme here

The learning programme for Key Stage 3 children (aged 11-14) will introduce them to the significance of heritage and the need for conservation.

Wall Face funding

Wall Face is funded by Arts Council England and supported by the National Portrait Gallery and by partners from across Hadrian’s Wall, part of the international Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site.

Partners include:

English Heritage
Hadrian’s Wall Trust
National Trust
Senhouse Museum Trust
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust
Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums
Vindolanda Trust

The project is generously funded and supported by: