Where to Park in Hexham

Where to Park in Hexham: A Complete Guide

Hexham is one of Northumberland's most visited market towns, and knowing where to park before you arrive makes for a much smoother visit. The good news: most of the town's council car parks are free to use — you just need a parking disc.

The Parking Disc System

Most short-stay car parks in Hexham are free of charge but require a parking disc to be displayed on your dashboard. Discs cost around £1 each and can be picked up from the Wentworth Leisure Centre, Waitrose, the Wentworth Cafe, and several other local shops. Once you have one, you set it to your arrival time and it's valid across the town's short-stay disc zones.

Car parks and on-street spaces operate under slightly different hours:

• Council car parks: 8am-6pm, Monday to Saturday (including bank holidays)
• On-street parking: 9am-5pm, Monday to Saturday

Wentworth Car Park

The largest and most central option, Wentworth Car Park is the go-to for most visitors. It sits conveniently close to Waitrose and the town centre shops and is divided into three colour-coded sections:

• Red bays — up to 2 hours (disc required)
• Blue bays — up to 4 hours (disc required)
• White bays — up to 24 hours (free long stay)

The car park also houses a dedicated bus and lorry area on Alemouth Road, which offers long-stay parking up to 72 hours and includes three electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

Loosing Hill Car Park

A smaller car park a short walk from the Market Place, Loosing Hill is a handy option when Wentworth is busy. It operates the same disc-based system for short stays. A good fallback on Tuesdays and Saturdays when the town gets busier.

Bunker's Hill / Market Place

Immediately adjacent to the historic Market Place and Hexham Abbey, parking in this area is in high demand on market days. Some spaces here are on-street disc-zone bays. Arriving early is essential on Tuesdays and Saturdays if you want to be this close to the action.

Tyne Green Car Park

Located on the south bank of the River Tyne just off the A69, Tyne Green is a free, all-day car park that's ideal if you're combining a town visit with a riverside walk. It's slightly further from the shops than Wentworth but well worth considering on busy market days. There's no disc requirement here.

On-Street Parking

On-street parking in Hexham town centre is available on many streets but is subject to the disc zone between 9am and 5pm on weekdays and Saturdays. Always check the signage, as some streets have limited waiting restrictions.

Getting to Hexham Without a Car

Hexham railway station sits on the Tyne Valley Line between Newcastle and Carlisle, with direct services to Newcastle Central in around 34-40 minutes. The station is a flat five-minute walk from the Market Place — a practical alternative for visitors who prefer not to drive.

Tips for Market Days and Busy Periods

• Tuesday market runs 9am-4pm in the Market Place every week. Arrive before 9am to secure a central space
• Saturday is the other busy day, with a general outdoor market and the monthly Farmers' Market
• Hexham Racecourse events and summer weekends also increase pressure on parking — head for Tyne Green or Alemouth Road long stay on those days
• If you're visiting Hexham Abbey, the car park on Beaumont Street is a short walk away and often has spaces when central options are full