Vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) is a modern imaging technique with expanding applications in the characterisation of intracranial vessel wall pathology. VW-MRI provides added diagnostic capacity relative to conventional luminal imaging methods. This review explores the principles of VW-MRI and typical imaging features of various vessel wall pathologies such as atherosclerosis, dissection and vasculitis. Radiologists should be familiar with this important imaging technique given its increasing usage and future relevance to everyday practice.