Abutment of Roman Bridge

There's not much left of the Roman bridge that once crossed the Tyne near Hexham, but what remains is genuinely affecting. You're looking at a stubborn stretch of stone abutment - the kind of thing that makes you squint at the river and try to imagine the engineering feat it represented nearly two thousand years ago. The Romans knew how to build to last, and this fragment proves it.

It's a fairly low-key stop rather than a major spectacle. You won't need more than twenty minutes here unless you're seriously into Roman infrastructure, in which case you could happily spend longer poking around and pondering the logistics. Walkers get the most from it, particularly those exploring the Tyne Valley on foot - it slots nicely into longer rambles along the river. History types will appreciate standing where Roman soldiers once stood. Families with young children might find it a bit underwhelming on its own, though it makes a decent leg-stretcher during a bigger day out.

Hexham itself is just a stone's throw away, which means you can combine this with the abbey, the market town's decent pubs, and proper exploring of the Northumberland countryside. If you're based at Sycamore Glamping Pods or East Farm Glamping - both within easy reach - it's worth a detour during your park holiday. Just don't expect crowds or visitor facilities. Go for the atmosphere and the history, not for signs and interpretation boards.