The town Hexham is in the North East of England and can be found from the road A69 or by the central railway station. It is an attractive old town aside the River Tyne with a market. There are old houses around the market square, near the abbey, including the Moot Hall and the fourteenth century Manor Office, which used to be the town gaol.
Horse racing can be found nearby at Hexham racetrack. It is good as a centre for Hadrians Wall modern day explorers.
It was originally the country town of the former county of Hexhamshire. The name of Hexham came from Anglo Saxon. Like many towns in its area suffered from the border wars with the Scots. For example an attack from William Wallace who burnt down the town in 1297. In 1312 Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, demanded and received two thousand pounds from the town and monastery in order for them to be spared a similar fate. In 1715 the rebellion was unsuccessful and the Earl was captured and beheaded after the battle of Preston.
The Abbey was first built six hundred and forty eight by St Wilfrid. A crypt remains, and incorporates many stones taken from nearby Roman ruins. The current Hexham Abbey dates largely from the eleventh century onward, but was significantly rebuilt in the nineteenth century.
The newly refurbished Old Gaol 1330AD, allows access to everyone. You can the glass lift down to the dungeon, explore the history of the prison. Meet the gaoler and Sir Robert Carey, warden.
Hexham racecourse is situated in breathtaking country just outside of Hexham. It has meetings throughout the year and has excellent facilities for a family day out. It also has a caravan and camping site for visitors wishing to stay longer. An ideal picnic area and nearby for shopping in Hadrians Wall can be found just north on the B6318 off the A6079.
Picturesque country course, lovely day out for all the family and easily accessible from Newcastle, Cumbria and the Scottish Borders.
The local newspaper serving Hexham and Tynedale since 1864 is called the Hexham Courant. It was first launched by J. Catherall and at that time espoused the Liberal cause. In 1977, CN Group had taken over the business and has since continued to grow. Hexham has a town website called Hexham Net managed by the Hexham Courant. It was first launched in October 2003 and continues to serve both the local community as well as to visiting tourists to the Tynedale area.
