Northumberland · North East England · Historic British Town & Village

Hexham (Northumberland (UK)) Travel Guide

Hexham (Northumberland (UK)) is a historic british town & village in Northumberland (North East England).

Last reviewed: · Prices in British Pounds Sterling (£ GBP) and US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.

Why visit Hexham (Northumberland (UK))

Hexham (Northumberland (UK)) is a historic british town & village in Northumberland (North East England), United Kingdom, with a population of approximately 11,388 at an elevation of 61 m. Hexham (Northumberland (UK)) is a historic british town & village in Northumberland (North East England).

County / Council AreaNorthumberland
Region / NationNorth East England
Coordinates & Elevation54.9699°N, -2.1040°E · 61 m
Nearest Airport / RailNewcastle Airport (NCL) · Newcastle Central & Durham (LNER)
Suggested Stay1–3 days
Daily Budget£115–£225 ($145–$290)

Getting to Hexham & National Rail transit

From London & Edinburgh: Take National Rail or a regional coach via Newcastle Airport (NCL) to Newcastle upon Tyne & Durham, then local rail or bus to Hexham.

Nearest Airport & Rail Hub: Newcastle Airport (NCL) (31 km) · National Rail / Coach: Newcastle Central & Durham (LNER).

Recommended Railcards & Heritage Passes: £35 Railcard (1/3 off National Rail), Contactless transit & National Trust / English Heritage Pass. Compare fares in £ GBP with our UK National Rail & £35 Railcard Calculator, London TfL Contactless & City Transit Calculator, and BritRail & Heritage Pass Calculator.

Top things to see & do in Hexham

  • Hexham Historic High Street & Market Cross
  • Hexham Parish Church & Heritage Quarter
  • Northumberland Scenic Footpaths & National Trust Surrounds

Neighbourhoods & quarters

Hexham High Street & Market Square

Historic town centre, listed buildings, independent tearooms, and coaching-inn pubs of Hexham.

Station & Heritage Quarter

Main National Rail and regional bus gateway connecting Hexham with Newcastle upon Tyne & Durham.

What to eat in Hexham — Local Specialties & British Culinary Guide

Dining in Hexham reflects the culinary heritage of North East England, combining historic coaching-inn gastropubs, afternoon tearooms, farm-shop cheeses, and regional specialties.

Signature Local Dishes

Hexham Must-Try Specialties

  • Craster Kippers (Oak-Smoked Herring)
  • Newcastle Brown Ale & Quayside Stottie Cake
  • Pan Haggerty
  • Lindisfarne Mead
  • Northumberland Cheeses
  • Oak-Smoked Craster Kippers — North Sea herring split and cold-smoked for 16 hours over oak sawdust in traditional 19th-century Northumberland smokehouses, poached with butter (£11–£16).
  • Northumberland Pan Haggerty & Geordie Stottie — Layered thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and Northumberland cheese baked until crisp, alongside warm ham-and-pease-pudding stottie flatbreads.
  • Lindisfarne Oysters & Boulmer Crab — Cold-water oysters harvested along the Holy Island tidal flats and North Sea brown crab.

North East England Regional Cuisine

Regional Staples & Drinks

Oak-Smoked Craster Kippers (North Sea herring split and cold-smoked for 16 hours over oak sawdust in traditional 19th-century Northumberland smokehouses, poached with butter (£11–£16).) Northumberland Pan Haggerty & Geordie Stottie (Layered thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and Northumberland cheese baked until crisp, alongside warm ham-and-pease-pudding stottie flatbreads.) Lindisfarne Oysters & Boulmer Crab (Cold-water oysters harvested along the Holy Island tidal flats and North Sea brown crab.)

Local Drinks: Newcastle Brown Ale & Wylam Craft Beer, Lindisfarne St Aidan's Spiced Honey Mead, Earl Grey Tea (named after Northumberland's 2nd Earl Grey)

Where to Eat in Hexham: Historic Coaching Inns, Gastropubs & Markets

Explore the high street and market square of Hexham alongside regional culinary hubs including Grainger Market (Newcastle upon Tyne, est. 1835), Tynemouth Station Weekend Market, Durham Indoor Market Hall, Alnwick Market Place.

Recommended Dining Quarters: Grainger Market (Newcastle upon Tyne, est. 1835) · Tynemouth Station Weekend Market · Durham Indoor Market Hall · Alnwick Market Place

Local Cask Ales, Whiskies & Pairings: Newcastle Brown Ale & Wylam Craft Beer · Lindisfarne St Aidan's Spiced Honey Mead · Earl Grey Tea (named after Northumberland's 2nd Earl Grey)

Pub Ordering & 12.5% Service Tips: In British pubs, you order and pay for drinks (and often food) directly at the bar rather than waiting for table service — remember to note your table number first. At sit-down restaurants, check the bill for an optional 12.5% discretionary service charge before adding an extra tip. Use our British English Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards to order confidently.

Closest neighbouring UK towns to Hexham