The picturesque market town of Hexham in Northumberland, just 25 miles from Newcastle and home to around 13,000 people, has been touted as the perfect spot for a peaceful UK staycation this year by travel blog The Crazy Tourist - and it's easy to reach from Belfast. Despite only attracting about 120,000 visitors each year, the town is steeped in centuries of history and surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Hexham Abbey, originally constructed in 674AD using materials from Roman ruins and later rebuilt in the 13th century, is a must-visit attraction. The abbey largely retains its medieval form, with traces of its Roman past still visible in its architecture, including pagan dedications.
For those craving some fresh air, a quick drive from the town centre will lead you to Hadrian's Wall. This historic landmark, which began construction in 122AD, served as a boundary between Roman England and Caledonia, the region of Scotland beyond the River Forth. Spanning approximately 73 miles with forts at regular intervals, it offers a unique walking experience.
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For the adventurous tourists, traversing the entire length of the wall is an option. However, The Crazy Tourist suggests Walltown Crags as one of the most picturesque sections, with its hilly landscape offering stunning views, according to the Express, reports the Mirror.
If you're visiting Hexham and have a taste for the eerie, the travel blog recommends heading straight to the Old Gaol, England's oldest purpose-built prison. Built in 1333, Hexham Old Gaol functioned as a detention centre for nearly 500 years, where prisoners had to provide for their own food and clothing. Today, visitors can get a feel for life in a Medieval jail and explore the Border Library Collection housed within, showcasing some of the cultural influences that came to England through the town.
For those more interested in the here and now, The Crazy Tourist suggests The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre. This visitor centre boasts a modern design, featuring a grassland roof covered with wildflowers that mirrors parts of the nearby countryside and full-glass walls providing breathtaking views of the Northumberland National Park.
While many use The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre as a starting point for refreshing country walks, it also hosts a range of temporary and permanent exhibits on various topics and includes a shop, cafe and youth hostel.
Fly to Newcastle with Aer Lingus from Belfast City Airport, or with easyJet from Belfast International Airport.
