Discover Northumberland
Keep Busy In & Around Hexham,
Northumberland
Heathergate Country Park nestles amid acres of beautiful parkland on the outskirts of
the North Pennines and within five miles of the Northumberland Park.
Why Buy a Holiday Home in Hexham,
Northumberland?
Hexham is a stunning, highly sought after market town
Northumberland National Park is a short walk away
We have breathtaking views
Lots of great culture Scenic walks and cycling trails
Great access to wider Northumberland locations
Much, much more
Our Local Area, Hexham,
Northumberland
You couldn’t wish for a better place to unwind. Heathergate Country Park nestles amid acres of beautiful parkland on the outskirts of the North Pennines and within five miles of the Northumberland Park. There are no bars, no clubs & no hassle just beautiful scenery, a natural setting and peaceful surroundings.
You could spend every visit simply relaxing on the Park. But there’s so much to see and do on you doorstep too! Picturesque Hexham is your nearest town (approximately 2 miles), voted Britain’s favourite market town by Country Life magazine, and winner of two categories in the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom competition. Its magnificent abbey was founded in 674AD and it is an interesting mix of historic buildings, enticing streets, lively independent shops and High Street retailers. The world famous Hadrian’s Wall is just 5 miles away, steeped in history and perfect for exploring and hiking.
You’ll enjoy meandering around Hexham, browsing bookshops and boutiques, and you might pick up a bargain at the antiques fair. There are also plenty of places to pick up your day to day necessities or perhaps something special.
An ancient Abbey, a Moothall and Old Gaol are just a few of the buildings which reveal Hexham’s history. Lying in the long shadow of Hadrian’s Wall and the Scottish border, the town has been witness over the centuries to a variety of extraordinary and sometimes bloody events.
Hexham Abbey (a former Priory) dominates the Market Place. Hexham’s Christian Heritage is closely linked to that of Lindisfarne, St. Cuthbert and St. Wilfrid.
A close look at some of the stones in the Saxon crypt will reveal that they have been recycled from Roman times, and there are many other historical treasures to explore both in the Abbey and its interactive exhibition, The Big Story, which brings to life the people and events that shaped the Abbey’s fascinating 1300 year history.
The Moothall , built in the 15th Century, stands tall across the Market Place. It once formed the gateway to the Archbishop of York’s buildings and provided the Court Rooms in which prisoners from the nearby Old Gaol were tried. Built in 1330 this is the first purpose built jail in England.
Nowadays, the Old Gaol provides an insight into the turbulent times of the Border skirmishes and the Border Reivers, a time when cattle rustling, guerilla fighting and clan feuds were rife.
In 1761 the Market Place was the scene of the Hexham Riot. A plaque in the pavement close to the Moothall is a reminder of this time of revolt.
By 1766 the town had settled into trading and the Shambles was constructed to provide a covered market. A verse by Wilfrid Gibson, Hexham’s 19th Century poet, decorates the old pant (water pump) and is a reminder that the Market Place has always been a place to meet.
A more modern building is the community-owned Forum Cinema, dating from 1937 and built on the site of the original Gem Palace which was built in 1910.
Many of Hexham’s street names match the industries which once flourished in this busy market town: Tanners Yard and Glovers Place were hives of activity, playing their part in the production of Hexham Tans (the softest of leather gloves). More details on Hexham’s leather heritage can be found here.
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