Hexham
River Tyne at Hexham.
Hexham abbey.
Hexham is a large market town in Northumberland, England, located south of the River Tyne. Hexham is the administrative centre for the Tynedale district, although in terms of population, Prudhoe is now Tynedale's largest town. In 2001, it had a population of 11,139.
There are many smaller towns and villages that surround Hexham, such as Corbridge, Riding Mill, Stocksfield, Wylam to the east with Haydon Bridge and Bardon Mill to the west. The closest major city to Hexham is Newcastle upon Tyne and is approximately 25 miles (40 km) to the east.
Hexham originated as a monastery founded by Saint Wilfrid in 674. The crypt of the original monastery survives, and incorporates many stones taken from nearby Roman ruins - probably Corstopitum or Hadrian's Wall. The current Hexham Abbey dates largely from the 11th century onward, but was significantly rebuilt in the 19th century. Other notable buildings in the town include the Moot Hall, the covered market, and the Old Gaol.
The name of Hexham came from Anglo-Saxon Hagustaldeshām = "Hagustald's home" or "the hedge-warden's home", although it is often incorrectly regarded to mean "land or settlement of witches".
Like many towns in the North of England, Hexham suffered from the border wars with the Scots, including attacks from William Wallace who burnt the town in 1297. In 1312, Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, demanded and received £2000 from the town and monastey in order to be spared a similar fate.
In 1715 the 3rd Earl of Derwentwater raised the standard for the Old Pretender in Hexham Market place, however the rebellion was unsuccessful, and the Earl was captured and beheaded after the battle of Preston.
Hexham was the county town of the former county of Hexhamshire.
Article adapted from the Wikipedia online encyclopedia.
How to get to Hexham:
By road: Hexham is conveniently located just off the main A69 road, about 20 miles west of Newcastle upon Tyne.
By rail: The nearest station is Hexham. Connecting rail services are available from Carlisle in the west and Newcastle upon Tyne in the east.
By bus: The Carlisle-Newcastle service, route 685, operates via Hexham on weekdays. On Sundays service 85 operates hourly from Newcastle Eldon Square to Hexham. Services X85 and 185 also operate between Newcastle and Hexham but these services are very infrequent. Check bus times before travelling.
By road: Hexham is conveniently located just off the main A69 road, about 20 miles west of Newcastle upon Tyne.
By rail: The nearest station is Hexham. Connecting rail services are available from Carlisle in the west and Newcastle upon Tyne in the east.
By bus: The Carlisle-Newcastle service, route 685, operates via Hexham on weekdays. On Sundays service 85 operates hourly from Newcastle Eldon Square to Hexham. Services X85 and 185 also operate between Newcastle and Hexham but these services are very infrequent. Check bus times before travelling.
Map of area: CLICK HERE
