What to do in Hexham, Northumberland?
This Easter weekend, we went to Hexham for a three nights holiday. It is approximately four hours from London. We took a train journey from London King’s Cross to Newcastle using Virgin train then continue from Newcastle to Hexham using Northern Railway. Hexham is a beautiful little town. The city centre is quite small but full of shops. It is very easy to walk to anywhere within the city centre.
![Hexham City Centre](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Hexham-City-Centre-595x446.jpg)
![Hexham Abbey quarter](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Hexham-Abbey-quarter-595x446.jpg)
![Beaumont street in Hexham](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Beaumont-street-in-Hexham-595x446.jpg)
Here are the activities to do in Hexham:
Antiquing in Hexham
There are about four antique shops in Hexham. The first one that we visited was actually closed on Easter. It is called The Medal Centre. My husband was sad that it was closed on Easter, because he is looking forward to buy some medals. The second antique shop that we visited is Ashbourne House Antiques. There are quite many collection of antiques in this shop.
![Ashbourne House Hexham](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ashbourne-House-Hexham-595x446.jpg)
![Ashbourne House antiques](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ashbourne-House-antiques-595x446.jpg)
![Inside the Ashbourne House antiques](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Inside-the-Ashbourne-House-antiques-595x446.jpg)
![Antique glasses at Asbourne House](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Antique-glasses-at-Ashourne-House-595x793.jpg)
![Cutleries at Ashbourne House](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Cutleries-at-Ashbourne-House-595x793.jpg)
![Porcelains at Ashbourne House antiques](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Porcelains-at-Ashbourne-House-antiques-595x793.jpg)
I would say the shop price is very reasonable. Though there are not many of antique silver or jewellery collection. However, I have found a nice little brooch for myself which I am very pleased. Please see here for my little piece of Victorian brooch.
![Collections of Ashbourne House](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Collection-of-Ashbourne-House-595x446.jpg)
The third antique shop that we visited is Opulence. I didn’t take a picture of this antique shop. There are many collection of jewellery and also silver. Though I have to say that the price is rather expensive. My husband did buy an Art Deco vesta case and a small sterling silver box. The last shop that we visited is called The Vintage Emporium. I must say it is a rather ‘vintage’ than antique, although you can also spot some antiques in this shop.
![The Vintage Emporium](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Vintage-Emporium-595x793.jpg)
It is a rather large shop. It consists of four floors including a tea room for a cuppa of tea or refreshment. Different floor on different corner has its own taste; probably different owner too.
![Vintage Emporium in Hexham](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Vintage-Emporium-in-Hexham-595x446.jpg)
![Vintage Emporium collection](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Vintage-Emporium-collection.jpg)
![Vintage collection](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Vintage-collection-595x793.jpg)
How much is the room, please?
![Rooms price](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Rooms-price-595x446.jpg)
![Vintage bric-a-brac](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Vintage-bric-a-brac-595x446.jpg)
![Vintage Emporium sign](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Vintage-Emporium-sign-595x447.jpg)
![Record Player](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Record-Player-595x446.jpg)
We bought a 1960’s silver plated bear money box. This is a present for my Mother in law as she loves bear so much.
![Glasses at Vintage Emporium in Hexham](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Glasses-at-Vintage-Emporium-in-Hexham-595x446.jpg)
![Vintage Collection at Vintage Emporium](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Vintage-Collection-at-Vintage-Emporium.jpg)
Hexham Abbey
When in Hexham, don’t forget to see the historic Hexham Abbey.
![Hexham Abbey front door](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Hexham-Abbey-fron-door-595x794.jpg)
![Beautiful old stairs at Hexham Abbey](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Beautiful-old-stairs-at-Hexham-Abbey-595x793.jpg)
![Hexham Abbey altar near the entrance](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Hexham-Abbey-altar-near-the-entrance-595x793.jpg)
![Hexham Abbey near the entrance](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Hexham-Abbey-near-the-entrance-595x793.jpg)
![Hexham Abbey stained glass windows](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Hexham-Abbey-stained-glass-windows-595x794.jpg)
There is a Roman stone at the Hexham Abbey. According to the local guide in Housesteads, this stone depicts a Commanding Officer (holding a kind of standard bearer flag) appears to be victorious by ‘kicking’ a Brigante (tribe in North England). Which in fact, according to the guide, the history is rather the other way around, as the Brigantes are rebellious and gave the Romans a difficult time.
![Roman stone at Hexham Abbey](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Roman-stone-at-Hexham-Abbey-595x793.jpg)
The altar of the Abbey is quite stunning.
![Hexham Abbey main altar](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Hexham-Abbey-main-altar-595x793.jpg)
![Beautiful main altar of Hexham Abbey](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Beautiful-main-altar-of-Hexham-Abbey-595x446.jpg)
![Beautiful old podium at Hexham Abbey](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Beautiful-old-podium-at-Hexham-Abbey-595x793.jpg)
There is also a seventh century Crypt beneath the Abbey.
![The Crypt at Hexham Abbey](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Crypt-at-Hexham-Abbey-595x793.jpg)
![Hexham Abbey architecture](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Hexham-Abbey-architecture-595x446.jpg)
![Full view of Hexham Abbey](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Hexham-Abbey-full-view-595x446.jpg)
![Hexham Abbey at the heart of Hexham](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Heart-of-Hexham-595x446.jpg)
Pubs in Hexham
We visited two pubs in Hexham. The first one is The Heart of Northumberland.
![The Heart of Northumberland](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Heart-of-Northumberland-595x793.jpg)
It is a lovely pub with delicious food.
![The Heart of Northumberland pub](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Heart-of-Northumberland-pub-595x793.jpg)
The beef on the beef burger is fresh, thick, and delicious. The sausages and mash is also great – perfect for a cold weather.
![Northumberland sausages and mash and Beef burger](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Northumberland-sausages-and-mash-and-Beef-burger-595x446.jpg)
This is the menu of The Heart of Northumberland:
![The Heart of Northumberland menu](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Heart-of-Northumberland-menu-595x793.jpg)
They also serve real ales. When we were there, there are four types of real ales.
![The Heart of Northumberland bar](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Heart-of-Northumberland-bar-595x446.jpg)
![Drinks from the Heart of Northumberland](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Drinks-from-the-Heart-of-Northumberland-595x793.jpg)
![Fireplace at the Heart of Northumberland](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Fireplace-at-the-Heart-of-Northumberland-595x793.jpg)
The second pub in Hexham is The Globe Inn. My husband loves the real ales in this pub.
![The Globe Inn](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Globe-Inn-595x446.jpg)
Dining in Hexham
There are plenty of restaurants in Hexham. We choose Chinese and Indian restaurant during our stay.
![Golden Dragon Chinese in Hexham](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Golden-Dragon-Chinese-in-Hexham-595x446.jpg)
The Chinese restaurant is called the Golden Dragon. The food is superb and is reasonably priced. And for the Indian food, we choose Zyka restaurant. The king prawn Lubi is delicious. However it does not include rice, so you have to order it separately. Plus if you have the papadam, the extra sauces, and the starter, the bill will be quite high.
![Zyka Indian restaurant in Hexham](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Zyka-Indian-restaurant-in-Hexham-595x446.jpg)
Where to stay?
We stay in The Beaumont hotel. It is located at the Beaumont street. The hotel is nice and clean and it is quite modern inside. I was told that it had been refurbished recently.
![The Beaumont Hexham hotel](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Beaumont-Hexham-hotel-595x446.jpg)
![The Beaumont Hotel](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Beaumont-Hotel-in-Hexham-595x446.jpg)
Our room is on the second floor. It is clean and modern. It has two windows overlooking the street.
![Beaumont hotel bedroom](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Beaumont-Hotel-Hexham-bedroom-595x446.jpg)
![The Beaumont view from the room](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Beaumont-view-from-the-room-595x446.jpg)
It is also equipped with a safe.
![Beaumont Hotel Safe](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Beaumont-Hotel-Safe.jpg)
![The Beaumont Hexham bathroom](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Beaumont-Hexham-bathroom-595x793.jpg)
This is the interior of the hotel: stairs and some of the wall photographs/paintings.
![Stairs at The Beaumont](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Stairs-at-The-Beaumont-595x793.jpg)
![The Beaumont decoration](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Beaumont-decoration-595x446.jpg)
They serve a cooked English breakfast with a selection of pastries, croissant, bread and jams. There is open kitchen at the restaurant.
![Breakfast at The Beaumont](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Breakfast-at-The-Beaumont-595x446.jpg)
The bar also serves two real ales.
![Drinks at The Beaumont bar](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Drinks-from-The-Beaumont-bar-595x793.jpg)
![The Beaumont Hotel bar with open kitchen](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Beaumont-Hotel-bar-with-open-kitchen-595x793.jpg)
You can see the Hexham abbey from the lobby.
![View of Hexham Abbey from The Beaumont hotel](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/View-of-Hexham-Abbey-from-The-Beaumont-hotel-595x446.jpg)
I recommend this hotel is you are in/around Hexham.
![The Beaumont front door](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-Beaumont-front-door-595x446.jpg)
And there is also a Catholic church if you need one!
![St Mary's Catholic Church](https://mariabristoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/St-Marys-Catholic-Church-595x446.jpg)