Weekend in Hexham — 48-Hour Itinerary

A weekend in Hexham rarely disappoints. Here's how to make the most of 48 hours.

Day One: History, Riverside, and French Cooking

Morning: Hexham Abbey — Start at the Abbey on Beaumont Street, founded AD 674. The Saxon crypt is one of the oldest intact rooms in Britain. Don't skip the Big Story exhibition. Entry is free.

Mid-morning: Heritage Trail — Follow the streets to the Market Place. The medieval Shambles photographs beautifully. The heritage trail links the Old Gaol, the Moot Hall, and the Manor Office — all within minutes of each other.

Lunch: Bouchon Bistrot — Just off the Market Square on Gilesgate. Straightforward French country cooking, winner of Best European Restaurant at the North East Restaurant Awards. Book ahead for weekends.

Afternoon: Allen Banks and Staward Gorge — Drive west along the A69 to this National Trust woodland site. The three-mile Brown Route rewards with red squirrels, wild garlic, and a dramatic river gorge. Free entry; parking pay and display.

Evening — Return to Hexham for dinner at one of the independent restaurants along Fore Street or Battle Hill.

Day Two: Hadrian's Wall and a Gastropub Reward

Morning: Hadrian's Wall — The AD122 bus runs from Hexham station to key Wall sites. Housesteads is the most complete Roman fort in Britain, set high on the Whin Sill with panoramic views. Allow three to four hours including the walk along the crags.

Afternoon: Old Gaol and Queen's Hall — Back in Hexham, the Old Gaol museum brings the Border Reivers to life. Queen's Hall often has afternoon screenings or gallery shows.

Evening: The Rat Inn, Anick — One of the longest-serving entries on the Top 50 Gastropubs list. Locally sourced food, Tyne Valley views. The final approach is a steep quarter-mile climb — worth every metre.

Practical Tips

• Getting here: Newcastle to Hexham by train takes ~40 minutes
• Parking: Wentworth Car Park has free periods with a parking disc
• Book ahead: Bouchon and The Rat Inn fill up on Saturdays