Pictures of Hexham

About Hexham

Historic market town where for centuries the sheep and cattle farmers of Northumberland gathered for the Tuesday market beside Hexham Abbey.

Today, the market still continues in the shadow of the abbey, with the town being noted for this and for its rich array of fine buildings - these include the Abbey with roots going back to the 7th century, the Old Goal which is thought to be the oldest of its kind in the country, and the Moothall - the gatehouse tower leading to the buildings of the Bailiff's Hall. The Old Goal is now houses the fascinating Border History Museum, this tells of the lawless Reivers, the border families of the 16th century, and of the Wardens and their courts, the towers and bastles of the Border Dales. There is also a research library in the building.

Hexham, with its close proximity to the Pennine Way, Hadrian's Wall and the Border Forest Park, is now very much an inland resort town. It offers a good choice of shops including antiques, inns, restaurants, and a fine selection of hotels. The River South Tyne offers scope for relaxation, with riverside walks, boating and fishing. In the town there are properties from the 16th and 17th centuries. Hexham National Hunt Race Course is a favourite with people from all over the county, there are three golf courses meeting the demands of the energetic, and there is a pleasant country park for more gentle pursuits.

In the rich agricultural countryside surrounding Hexham visitors will find a number of charming villages to explore, some with quaint sounding names such as Juniper, Slaley and Steel.