UK and Ireland holiday help

Hi there
My wife and I are heading north for May and would welcome some ongoing advice as we make our plans. Obviously the interweb is a great source of info but some things might be easier answered by simply asking people who know
I promise not to ask questions like "what should we do" or "where should we go" but if something comes to mind that we shouldn't miss in a particular bit of our travels (and I love Atlas Obscura and subterranean tunnels) please let me know.
Right now we would welcome feedback on two items.
The first is with respect to getting around. We want to drive as little as possible so will be looking to trains and buses, and the ferry to Ireland. For long trips (Bath to Bangor say) is it cheaper to book in advance or not? The exchange rate on our $ sucks so while we like the flexibility of just showing up when we want to move on, if booking in advance is significantly cheaper then we are happy to lock in dates for long travel.
The other is that we want to walk some of the Hadrians Wall trails. At this stage we are thinking of basing ourselves somewhere strategic, and going out and back West one day, and out and back East the next. We will probably have a car for that so we are looking for any suggestions about where to base ourselves (towns and villages) to appreciate the best trails.
Thanks for anything and everything in advance.
Steve

Wish I could offer some insight with your travel adventure, but alas I've no experience. I rely on the AAA travel agency for help when I travel. Have you checked with a travel agency to answer your questions?

Sounds like a wonderful trip! Good Luck, have fun, and enjoy your adventure!

Gerry

Steve, I strongly suspect that heavy reliance on public transport may be both frustrating and expensive, car hire being your most convenient and cheap option except while in larger towns or cities (where "park and ride' arrangements are often available to let you park outside the town/city with a shuttle bus service to the centre eg https://travelwest.info/park-ride/ )

Coach tours may also offer some possibilities
https://theprofessionaltraveller.com/avoid-a-coach-holiday/

For Hadrian's Wall, the internet may actually offer you the best advice! For instance:
https://whatsdavedoing.com/hadrians-wall-guide/
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/hadrians-wall-path/
https://www.hillwalktours.com/walking-hiking-blog/ultimate-guide-to-hiking-hadrians-wall-path/
https://www.absoluteescapes.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-walking-hadrians-wall-path/
https://galloparoundtheglobe.com/walking-hadrians-wall/
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/walking-hadrians-wall-a-coast-to-coast-hike-across-england

Of course, you best source of personal guidance may well be a fellow Australian who has already made a similar trip and may share your tastes/expectations rather than someone living in UK/Ireland and possibly having a different outlook...

In any event, have a great trip!

I second Lex’s suggestions as being the most sensible and economic, flotsam. And I hope you very much enjoy your travels 👍👍👍

I'm from the UK, left many years ago but still go back now and then, so have a little info that might help.

For train travel buy a Britrail pass before you leave home, as it's not available in the UK, it's a lot cheaper than buying individual tickets and you don't have to catch a specific train e.g. a ticket would be for a certain train at an exact time, a pass lets you get on any train at any time.

My husband was born in Northumberland and says to see Hadrian's Wall, probably the best place to stay would be Hexham, it's right on the wall and you can go in either direction from there.

Have fun.

I think my husband's memory is a little off, I looked Hexham up (should have done that before I posted) and it's a 10 minute taxi ride away from Hadrians Wall, but he remembers Hexham as being a great place filled with history, worth looking up perhaps?

Thanks for all that. Its much appreciated
I will investigate further and come back to you with emerging (and new) questions.