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.
Built in the late 12th to mid 13th C. the Hexham priory is located in the market place. It was built over an earlier church, of which the crypt has been preserved.
Blanchland (10mi/17km south of Hexham) is a charming village set against a background of woods. The drive over high moorland and heath passes Dukesfield Fell (357m/1,170ft). Blanchard is a sleepy little place of stone-built houses dating from the second half of the 18th century, with remains of a Premonstratensian abbey of the 12th century, the choir and north transept of the former church and a gatehouse from around 1500.
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 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.
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.
Address: The Old Gaol / Border History Museum, The Old Gaol, Hallgate, Hexham NE46 1XD, England
Hours:
February 1 to March 31: 10am-4:30pm; Closed: Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri
April 1 to September 30: 10am-4:30pm; Closed: Sun, Wed, Thu, Fri
Tips: Family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 concessions).
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
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Priory
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Blanchland, England
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Priory, Hexham
Priory, Hexham
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