Easter wknd was spent at the caravan ,so on Sunday we decided to head over Hartside and into Northumberland. We had wanted to visit the ancient market town of Hexham for a while. In hindsight Easter Sunday was perhaps not the best day to explore, as most of the lovely independent shops were deservedly closed. Hexham has many old historical buildings to admire including Hexham Abbey and Hexham Old Gaol. No doubt we will return !
Outside The Old Gaol which is England’s oldest jail ( now a museum) , dating from 1330, built using stone from nearby Roman ruins at Corbridge. Looking onto the Market place. Market Place. Independent Cinema ‘ The Forum’.
Hexham Abbey.
Over the years the abbey has suffered from raids by the Vikings and the Scotts. The abbey has been rebuilt many times over it’s long history. 17th Century Hexham House ( now luxury apartments) look out over the Abbey grounds.A rather nice Hot Chocolate from Wentworth Cafe , by the main town car park.
Next we drove five miles to the the lovely village of Corbridge and parked on the free carpark by the bridge over the River Tyne. It’s then a short walk over the bridge into the village with its cobbled streets and wealth of independent businesses. I must say I was totally charmed by Corbridge, there is much history here, the original settlements Roman Ruins are close by. A few of the local shops and eateries were open, it’s a delightful place to browse for goodies.
The Bridge over the River Tyne was built in 1674. Quirky gallery just over the bridge. The Angel of Corbridge may just be Northumberland s oldest Inn. Wil and Hugo resting at the Market Cross. A cute looking Pet Shop. We stumbled upon a micro bar in a 14th Century Pele Tower. The Pele was a fortified vicarage until the 1700s. It also serves up a rather refreshing Crimson Rhubarb Tea. We found a wonderful book shop Forum Bookshop situated in an Old Chapel. I love the ‘ Blind Date Books’ idea. Buy a mystery book wrapped in paper & string. Each book comes with a clue to it’s genre and a bookmark. Oh what will my book be? All is revealed! My mystery book, is indeed a bit of a murder mystery. Riverside Walk.
We finished off our visit eating the picnic we had brought with us and walking along the side of the Tyne, which seemed very popular with dog owners.
Both Hexham and Corbridge are on my return to list, now that we have discovered them. Have you ever been to them?
Hexham is quite close to home for me, lovely place and doesn’t look like it has changed much. The blind date with a book is a brilliant idea, hope you are enjoying it.
The NE is somewhere I’ve never been. Corbridge looks good. It made me smile when you mentioned the “fortified vicarage”. At least Hugo’s dog collar was safe! 🤗😉🙋♂️
Have to say I’ve never heard of Corbridge not knew of the history in either of those places. I love that old bridge over the Tyne and a good sized bridge to build in the 1600’s
We have visited the Roman town at Corbridge but we didn’t go into the more modern town – looks like this was an oversight! We definitely need to return to Northumberland and have a better look around..
I knew both well in my youth, but haven’t been to either, especially Hexham, for a while. We don’t even drive through them now that all these little places are bypassed! I agree they are lovely though.
It was lovely to see more of Hexham, thanks, Shazza. I don’t know if you watch podcasts on YouTube but there’s one I love, Kate at The Last Homely House. Hexham is Kate’s local town so visits to town sometimes feature in her podcasts, as does the wonderful scenery around that part of Northumberland.
I spent my childhood down south and in Northern Ireland (army brat) but my family are from Morpeth and I moved to Northumberland at 13 and went to high school there. Nowhere as nice as Hexham or Corbridge though!
These two towns are on my list for a day out. Matt wanted to go for mother day but unfortunately I was sick and couldn’t get out of bed 😞.
sunshine and celandines 
Looks a great day out!
It was a lovely area I have never explored before.
Hexham is quite close to home for me, lovely place and doesn’t look like it has changed much. The blind date with a book is a brilliant idea, hope you are enjoying it.
First time visit for me. Definitely up for returning. 🙂
grand place
I love Corbridge. Even liked the look of your rhubarb tea 🫠❤️ and the former pele tower. And Hexham. A lovely rather genteel part of the world 🌸
I really fell in love with Corbridge especially. The rhubarb tea was delicious 😋
Wonderful Easter sunshine, and I remember the place. Lovely images of you all with big smiles and your walk, Shazza.
Aw thank you. 🙂
I like the look of Corbridge, it sounds like a lovely little place, and the blind date book idea is great, I hope you enjoy reading yours.
Thanks Eunice. 😊
The NE is somewhere I’ve never been. Corbridge looks good. It made me smile when you mentioned the “fortified vicarage”. At least Hugo’s dog collar was safe! 🤗😉🙋♂️
👍😃
This looks like a wonderful place to walk around on a beautiful day. I love your photo of the Bridge that is over the River Tyne!
Thanks Allie. 🙂
Have to say I’ve never heard of Corbridge not knew of the history in either of those places. I love that old bridge over the Tyne and a good sized bridge to build in the 1600’s
It’s a wide river too….
Lovely places to visit, it’s been years since I visited Hexam. Love the mystery book idea.
Me too, Forum Books is definitely a great independent book shop. 🙂
We have visited the Roman town at Corbridge but we didn’t go into the more modern town – looks like this was an oversight! We definitely need to return to Northumberland and have a better look around..
Next time we go to Corbridge we will visit the Roman Town too. 🙂
I knew both well in my youth, but haven’t been to either, especially Hexham, for a while. We don’t even drive through them now that all these little places are bypassed! I agree they are lovely though.
It’s great to discover these places. So glad that Northumberland is within easy driving distance of the caravan, so many more places to find I’m sure.
It was lovely to see more of Hexham, thanks, Shazza. I don’t know if you watch podcasts on YouTube but there’s one I love, Kate at The Last Homely House. Hexham is Kate’s local town so visits to town sometimes feature in her podcasts, as does the wonderful scenery around that part of Northumberland.
Thank you, I will have to check her out. It is indeed a lovely area. The countryside is full of curlews and lapwings. 🙂
I love Hexham! It’s been years since I was last in Corbridge. Probably not since I was a teenager.
I forget, are you from that part of the world? X
I spent my childhood down south and in Northern Ireland (army brat) but my family are from Morpeth and I moved to Northumberland at 13 and went to high school there. Nowhere as nice as Hexham or Corbridge though!
These two towns are on my list for a day out. Matt wanted to go for mother day but unfortunately I was sick and couldn’t get out of bed 😞.
Aw , well hopefully in the future. I especially liked Corbridge. X
I love Northumberland. Your Corbridge visitlooks great.
I loved it there. 🙂
I only stopped in Hexham on my way to Hadrian’s wall but I remember it as a very pleasant town.
Yes, we need to visit again as not much was open , but it does seem a nice place and was not long ago voted happiest place to live in England 😁