Location: Hexham
Top Things to do in Hexham
Top 8 Historic Sites in Hexham, England
Hexham (/ˈhɛksəm/ HEKS-əm) is a market town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, south of the River Tyne, and was the administrative centre for the Tynedale district from 1974 to 2009. In 2011, it had a population of 11,829.
Restaurants in Hexham
1. Housesteads Roman Fort - Hadrian's Wall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,534 reviews
Reviewed By GTSSurrey - Bisley, United Kingdom
World heritage site - not to be missed. Our grandson is covering Roman history in his next term project so we took the opportunity for a visit to this impressive fort whilst visiting the area. It is humbling to think that 2000 years ago the Roman builders had installed many of the things in this fort that we thing of as modern today - underfloor heating, flushing toilets, running water to name but a few items. Whilst the walk to the fort from the car park is a little steep in paces the walk is well worth the effort for both fort and museum access - as well as the optional walk along the wall itself. It is amazing that the layout of the fort and associated infrastructure is so clearly laid out and easy to access and get to see. Friendly staff were able to answer just about all of our questions and made us feel welcome throughout our visit. Far reaching views just add to the experience. A must see site.
2. Hexham Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,039 reviews
This former medieval abbey was built late in the 7th century.
Reviewed By micksymes1 - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
I had never visited Hexham Abbey before - what a wonderful place!! It has so much history surrounding it ... from it’s original building in the 7th Century, the Frith stool, the Night Stair, the Anglo Saxon crypt through to it’s Big Story exhibition charting the history of the site. It is a fascinating place to visit. There is also a great cafe on site. However, I would suggest that if you’re planning a visit, check out if there are any services being held at the same time as access may be restricted
3. Cherryburn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By 786carolb - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Wednesday 22 August 18, my husband and I decided to go to Stocksfield, to visit Cherryburn under the care of The National Trust. Set in a tranquil garden with views across the Tyne Valley, this unassuming Northumbrian farmstead is the birthplace of famous artist and naturalist Thomas Bewick. Thomas Bewick was born in the cottage in August 1753; he grew up there and lived with his parents and grandparents and brothers and sisters, a total of 17 people in one room until the age of 14 when he moved to Newcastle upon Tyne to become a bound apprentice with the Beilby family. The Cottage and the Farmhouse are now a museum and shows what life was like back when Thomas Bewick was alive. The Cottage has been furnished with items which would have been common at the time and the Farmhouse possesses a large collection of Bewick's publications, original engravings and printing equipment. My husband and I spent an interesting two hours at this cottage, looking at Bewick’s wonderful wood engravings and the water colour paintings of birds, he made from on his walks around the surrounding area. It was quite an inspiring place and I wrote a poem here called ‘Man Of The Land’. I also purchased a book on the life and works of Thomas Bewick, which looked really interesting. We also had refreshments at ‘Cherryburn’ Cottage in the old kitchen, sitting by an old black lead range. My husband had a pot of tea and I had a nice hot chocolate, it was so warm and cosy in this cottage. If you are interested in people who made a difference and in the history of Northumberland, then this is definitely a place to visit.
4. Chesters Roman Fort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 676 reviews
Reviewed By Frankiedigger - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
John Clayton, a 19th century lawyer, owned a mansion - Chesters on Hadrian's Wall near Chollerford on the River Tyne.He discovered the most fantastic fort and bathhouse overlooking the Tyne and is one of the most impressive in the area. His museum has recently been upgraded, but retains the Victorian charm and personal attention he have to this treasure trove. Unmissable!
5. Steel Rigg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Bibcay - Gateshead, United Kingdom
This is great. Sycamore gap is crazy good and weird. The view to the rock formation and the lake is fantastic.
6. Black Middens Bastle House
7. The Temple of Mithras
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By rebeljenn - Ruislip, United Kingdom
Five minute walk from the parking down a little slope...well worth a visit to see this as it has some well-preserved stones and carvings. This temple would have been popular with soldiers who followed the cult. Women couldn't be members of it. Little is known about the beliefs.
8. Hexham Old Gaol
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 68 reviews
Delve into what life was really like for prisoners in the 1300s at our Scheduled Ancient Monument Visit Hexham Old Gaol and find out more about the Border Reivers – local families including the Charltons, Dodds, Milburns and Robsons, famous for causing trouble. Make the most of your visit and see our amazing Border Library Collection, a wide variety of photographs, books, poetry and music about our border territory. Learn about how the Northumberland landscape changed dramatically over the centuries, and about daily life on the border. Hexham Old Gaol has an annual membership charge: £5 - Adult (£4.50 for multiple adults in a group) £4 - Concession Free - 16 and under Hexham is fully accessible with a lift that gives access to the entire building.
Reviewed By RTS780 - Buntingford, United Kingdom
While my wife and I were staying in Hexham for six nights in July, we decided to visit Hexham Old Gaol as it was just round the corner from our hotel (The Beaumont). It has a very interesting history and is reputed to be the oldest purpose-built prison in England. The museum has adapted the building so that it has become a very accessible (it has a lift up the centre of the building) and interesting exhibition. It covers the history of Northumberland during the dark days of the Reivers and the conditions in which prisoners were incarcerated. It is a bit of a hidden gem and we were very pleased that we had decided to explore it. Thoroughly recommended.
