Explore Hexhams Picturesque Rural Location And Wonderful Walks

Hexham is a traditional market town in Northmuberland which sits on the south banks of the River Tyne. Hexham is seen as a major town in Tynedale along with Prudhoe and Haltwhistle. Newcastle Upon Tyne is the nearest major city to Hexham and is located 25 miles to the east of the town. Hexham is surrounded by smaller towns and villages including Corbridge, Allendale and Bardon Mill.

Historically, Hexham used to be the administrative centre for the Tynedale District until 2009. Hexham was a centre for the leather trade in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The area was particularly known for making gloves. A place of interest to visit is "the Garden Station" which is a restored Victorian railway station in a woodland garden near Hexham.

From a transportation point of view, the town has its own railway station. The railway line is known as the Tune Valley Line. The line is operated by Northern Rail and First ScotRail. The line is heavily used for freight. The Carlisle to Newcastle road passes through the town. A regular bus service travels to major towns. There are further infrequent services to smaller towns. Several taxi firms operate throughout the town. A tourist bus operates from the town to Hadrians Wall. Newcastle Airport is situated 12 miles away from Hexham.

Hexham Abbey stands out above all other buildings in the town. The Abbey itself was significantly rebuilt in the nineteenth century. Other buildings which stand out in the town are Moot Hall, the covered market and the Old Gaol. Moot Hall is a gatehouse built in the fifteenth century. It was used as a courthouse until 1838 but now the ground floor is an art gallery available for hire and the first floor is used as council offices. The covered market is a Grade II building built in 1766. The Old Gaol was one of the first purpose built jails in England in the 1930's. The building was erected by order of the Archbishop of York and is now a museum.

In the centre of the town is a beautiful park which contains a bandstand and a cenotaph. Hexham is a quaint, small town with traditional shops. The town centre consists of many small shops as opposed to large department stores. Many shops selling antiques dominate the town. Local commerce in the area includes tanneries which make saddles and boots. The town also houses a master hatter.

From a sporting perspective, a famous racecourse is housed at Yarridge Heights on the outskirts of Hexham. A National Hunt takes place there throughout the year. Two championship golf courses are positioned on the outskirts of Hexham. All types of accommodation are available from small self catering establishments to luxury hotels.

The town is famous for its picturesque rural location with fields, streams, woods and wonderful walks. Local pubs and restaurants in the town offer a variety of cuisine to suit all tastes. Hexham is the ideal place to visit for a holiday or a short break. Just outside Hexham the best remaining section of Hadrian's Wall still remains. The creation of the Hadrian's Wall National Trail has attracted visitors to Hexham from around the world.