Hexham

Roman foundations run deeper than most places in Northumberland. Hexham Abbey dominates the market town's skyline, built on stones nicked from Emperor Hadrian's famous wall. Walking through the cobbled streets feels like flipping through centuries of British history.

The town sits in proper countryside, with the North Pennines stretching away to the south and Hadrian's Wall Path threading through farmland to the north. Hexham's Tuesday market has run for over 700 years and still draws crowds from across the Tyne Valley. The Old Gaol, once England's first purpose-built prison, now houses a museum that's actually worth an hour of your time.

Venture north and you'll hit Kielder Forest, Europe's largest man-made woodland. Leaplish Waterside Park offers kayaking and sailing on the reservoir, while the surrounding peaks like Green Hill and Earl's Seat reward hikers with cracking views across the Borders. The Wave Chamber gallery showcases contemporary art in an unlikely forest setting.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The A69 runs straight from Newcastle, about 25 minutes by car. Hexham railway station connects to the Tyne Valley line if you're coming by train.

Staying at one of the holiday parks around Kielder makes perfect sense for exploring both the town and the wider region. You're close enough for morning coffee in Hexham's market square, yet surrounded by some of England's most unspoilt countryside. The forest parks offer everything from luxury lodges at Kielder Waterside to more rustic options like Wild Northumbrian Tipis. It's an ideal setup for families wanting to mix Roman history with outdoor adventures, all within easy reach of the wall that once marked the edge of the known world.