Hexham Tourist Attractions
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Hexham is situated on a plateau on the south bank of the River Tyne. It lies half way across the narrowest part of England, at roughly the same distance from the North Sea and the Solway Firth. Hexham's main landmark is the Hexham Abbey, circa 1170, built in Early English style. This small market town, which was the seat of a bishop in the seventh century and was called Hagulstald, is a good base from which to see Hadrian's Wall.
Priory
The Hexham priory church stands in the market place. It is also known as the Abbey or St Andrew's Church and is a classic example of Early English architecture (ca. 1180-1250). The original church on this site was founded by St Wilfrid of York in 674 as a Benedictine monastery and partly built of stone from Hadrian's Wall. The crypt of this first church has been preserved. Over this crypt the present church, which originally belonged to an Augustinian priory, was built between 1180 and 1250. The nave is modern (1907-1909 and the east end of the church was rebuilt in 1858-1860 by John Dobson.The basin of the font in the interior is of Roman origin. In the south transept is a massive "night stair" which led up to the monk's dormitory, now destroyed. At the foot of the stairs are the Acca Cross (about 740) and the tombstone of a Roman cavalryman named Flavinus. In the choir the triforium is particularly notable. The church contains many portraits of bishops of c. 1500 on the old rood-screen and pulpit. The Saxon bishop's chair probably belonged to St Wilfrid. On the south side of the choir is the chantry of Prior Ogle (d. 1410), on the north side the chantry of Prior Leschman (d. 1491).
Priory Crypt
The most notable part of the Hexham Priory Church is the crypt or "Confessio", in which sacred relics were housed. It incorporates stones from Hadrian's Wall, some of them with inscriptions.
St Peter's Chapel
Under the choir are the foundations of the apse of St Peter's Chapel. Of the priory buildings only a few parts are preserved, among them the lavatory (ca. 1300), the chapterhouse vestibule (13th century) and the Priory Gate (ca. 1600).
Market Square
The market hall (Shambles) built in 1766 by Sir Walter Blackett is constructed on stone pillars at its northern end and wooden pillars at the southern end. The Moot Hall (library), a large defense tower from 1400, was the seat of the sheriffs of the Archbishop of York. The adjoining Manor Office (133-1332) served as a prison from the 14th century., today it houses the tourist office. A few yards north is the Old Grammar School finished in 1684 and founded by Queen Elisabeth I in 1599. A number of Tudor and Georgian houses in Market and Beaumont Street are interesting.
Hexham Herbs
Hexham Herbs is a beautiful walled garden with an exceptional herb collection. The garden has appeared on "Gardener's World", highlighting the unusual herbaceous plants, national thyme collection and old roses.
The Old Gaol (Border History Museum)
The Border History Museum is situated in the oldest purpose-built gaol in England. It features displays about its inmates, including Earle Dewentwater who was beheaded for his part in the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion.
