historic Hexham
Hexham is an historic market town clustered around the Abbey, with independent shops, national retailers, a cinema, arts centre, walks along the Tyne, fishing, golf and many other activities. Hexham is also ideally located to explore Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site, Northumberland National Park, the North Pennines (AONB), Sill Landscape Discovery Centre and the International Dark Skies Park. It’s excellent public transport links mean that it is also a great base for those who wish to explore the region without a car.
Eat
The
Beaumont
The Beaumont is an independent Victorian townhouse hotel in the centre of Hexham with stunning views of the 6th Century Abbey. Dine on local seasonal produce in the restaurant or enjoy a drink at the bar with the Victorian Sele park as a back drop.
One of our favourites places for breakfast, lunch or dinner and even an alfresco drink. Very reasonable and short stroll through the park from Seal Cottage and Hexham House Apartments.
The Heart of Northumberland
The Heart of Northumberland is a great independent historic pub. Emphasis is on locally sourced produce and Northumbrian tradition. Light bites, hearty wholesome pub grub, bar snacks, kids meals and a Sunday roast to rival home!
A great spot for local ales, and fantastic selection of gins and wines… a regular haunt for us, the Northumbrian sharing platter is a must! Again, you can take a short stroll through Sele park to find The Heart.
Bouchon
Bistro
An award-winning and very popular French restaurant. Bouchon Bistrot serves straightforward country style French cuisine, including daily specials in the evening. Dishes are prepared and cooked in a simple fashion, the bistro is the ideal spot to enjoy an informal and family-friendly dining atmosphere in the heart of Hexham.
Visited frequently by ourselves and famous for their French onion soup! Just a stone’s throw away from Seal Cottage.
There are plenty of other lovely independent cafes, coffee shops and restaurants within Hexham’s small town centre
Market place Coffee
Arguably the best coffee in Hexham occupying a lovely spot in our historic market place. Serving homemade soups, toasties, cakes and traybakes and open for early those early risers!
Hexham Abbey
Cafe
Relax and unwind in the tranquil and historic setting of the Refectory Café. Perfect for a morning coffee, afternoon tea or a leisurely lunch with a glass of wine! Pay them a visit and see magnificent Hexham Abbey and new visitor centre too!
Small world cafe
Licensed Cafe with outdoor seating areas and views of the Abbey and Hexham marketplace. A great range of choices for lunch with local ales and sweet treats.
Lovely on a sunny day!
Hexham is the happiest place to live in Great Britain, according to Rightmove’s 2021 Happy at Home Index
visit
Hexham Abbey
Completed in AD678, Hexham Abbey is one of the earliest seats of Christianity in England and remains at the heart of the town to this day. Discover treasures and artifacts that span the ages, climb the centuries-old Night Stair or explore the Anglo-Saxon Crypt, take part in a service or one of the many events the Abbey holds.
The Abbey presents a programme of organ recitals throughout the year to showcase the wonderful Phelps organ – the first of its kind to be built in a European church and includes ‘The Big Story’ visitor centre which opened in 2014 and brings Hexham Abbey’s 1,300 year history alive!
The Old Gaol
England’s oldest purpose-built gaol dates back to 1330 and sits just behind the Market Place, through the historic Moothall arch.
Step into the oldest purpose-built prison in England. Descend into the dungeon, peer into the gloom and imagine confinement in the dark awaiting trial in the nearby Moothall. Meet the gaoler to learn about the treatment of criminals then put yourself in the prisoners’ shoes.
Try the stocks for size – if you dare!
The Moothall
The Moothall overlooks the historic Market Place and is accessed through an archway. The Moothall was built c1400 and used as a home, office and court for the Archbishop of York’s bailiff who administered Hexhamshire from the Hall.
The Moothall is open for special exhibitions during the annual Heritage Open Days weekend (September), with space available for hire and a ground floor gallery, currently exhibiting local artists work and crafts and well worth look in!
Family FUN
Sele Park
The Abbey Grounds and Sele Park range from formal gardens featuring a pretty, traditional bandstand to woodland walks and the open grassy expanse of the Sele.
Mature trees are present throughout providing shade in the summer, an explosion of colour in the autumn and the perfect frames for magical Christmas lights in the festive season. The park and gardens also feature a skate park, children’s play area, and public toilets.
Wentworth Leisure Centre
The Wentworth is a large leisure centre offering many family based activities. It has a comprehensive gym, several fitness studios plus swimming pools, running track, tenpin bowling with bar and soft play area. They also have two cafes onsite to re-fuel!
Please ask us for information on temporary membership during your stay.
Inspired Pots
Inspired Pots is a contemporary paint-your-own ceramics studio.
Their main aim is to provide a friendly and relaxed environment in which anyone, regardless of age or ability can create their own unique work of art. It takes couple of days to fire your work so be sure to pop in a the start of your holiday!
Northumberland is a truly unique county filled with ancient castles, beaches, rolling hills and rugged moorland. We have unspoilt coastlines and striking, sweeping countryside peppered with small friendly market towns and a cultural heritage all of our own.
visit Northumberland
Hadrian’s Wall
Within just a few miles of Hexham there are a number of points of access to Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site including Roman forts and museums and the recently opened Sill. Hadrian’s Wall is Britain’s greatest Roman monument and World Heritage Site.
Stretching 73 miles from North Sea to Solway Firth, the Wall is the backbone to Hadrian’s Wall country, with stunning countryside, picturesque villages, walking and cycling routes aplenty – come and explore! Close to Hexham are Chesters Roman Fort and Museum, Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum, Corbridge Roman Town and the famous Sycamore Gap tree.
The Sill
The Sill, opened in the summer of 2017, is a world-class building in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sill is the UK’s National Landscape Discovery Centre at Once Brewed in the Northumberland National Park. The building is the result of an innovative partnership between Northumberland National Park and YHA England and Wales.
The Sill is a showcase of local pride and passion. It features exhibitions, learning and event spaces, a local food café, a world-class Youth Hostel, rural business hub, and a shop specialising in local crafts and produce.
Kielder
Kielder Water & Forest Park brings you nature on a grander scale. The views are bigger, the night sky brighter, the sports wilder and the smiles wider, with things to do for all the family. It’s home to the biggest man-made lake in Northern Europe!
Kielder Observatory is a public outreach astronomical facility located in Kielder Water & Forest Park in some of the darkest skies in Europe and the third largest protected dark sky reserve in the world! Weekly events takes place throughout the year with the family astronomy events to the most popular Northern Lights, Aurora Night.
family Fun
Wheelbirks Ice-cream Parlour
Experience and indulge in the freshest of Wheelbirks award winning ice cream, milkshakes and luxury ice cream desserts all produced just a few hundred yards from your seat. A fantastic family day out is guaranteed at Wheelbirks with play areas to suit all ages.
Younger children can enjoy the excitement of an indoor pre-school play area , while older children can run safe and free in the orchard playing area
Hall Hill Farm
Set in the beautiful rolling hills of County Durham, Hall Hill Farm is an award winning mixed farm of 290 hectares – a great day out for children with loads of great things to do and see.
It has a fantastic outdoor play area and huge indoor soft play for rainy times. Lamb feeding in Spring is a must and at other times, rabbit handling, donkey rides and a sheep race with firm favourite “Shearer”
Tynemouth-Blue Reef Aquaruium
Tynemouth is one of the most beautiful and historic coastal places in the region where views encompass many aspects of the region’s history.
Visit either Tynemouth Longsands, a sweeping sandy beach or the beautiful King Edwards Bay, a small sandy bay enclosed by cliffs and grassy banks fantastic for family use, it’s at the foot of Tynemouth Priory and Castle, a historic site run by English Heritage. A visit to the Aquarium is a must for younger visitors, great fun feeding the Otters and Stingrays!
