What Not to Miss When You're Exploring the Tyne Valley
The beautiful Tyne Valley is surrounded by gorgeous scenery, but visitors will also find plenty to see and do in its pretty villages and thriving market towns
Base Camp
In Hexham, The Beaumont Hotel is a stunning, independently-owned Victorian townhouse hotel with views of the sixth-century Abbey and a fantastic laid-back restaurant serving great food, while along the river in Warden The Boatside Inn offers B&B accommodation in self-contained annexe just steps from the pub and serves traditional home-cooked food. There’s a sizeable beer garden here too. Coquet Cottages have a range of holiday cottages throughout Northumberland; we love Orchard House Barn in the pretty hamlet of Sandhoe, just north of Corbridge. Further north again, Hygge at Vallum is where you’ll find chic, contemporary cabins fully equipped with everything you could need, and Michelin-starred Pine restaurant is next door. Along in Newton, The Duke of Wellington is a traditional pub with cosy rooms and AA-Rosette awarded food.
Perfect Weekend
Start your day with a visit to Bradley Gardens in Wylam, where the 18th century walled garden has been restored to its former glory. At The Glasshouse, order Bradley’s full English from their stellar breakfast menu, then spend some time browsing the shopping here. The Bridgewater Home Store offers the ultimate in quality handcrafted furniture and home accessories. Explore the river here and cross Hagg Bank Bridge, the railway bridge built in 1874 that was used to carry coal to Carlisle. Come lunchtime, head over to Corbridge and take a walk along the riverbank before exploring the village. Full of quirkiness and colour, RE is a must-visit for inspirational ideas for your home, while award-winning Forum Books in the market place is a rare treat – an independent bookshop chock-full of handpicked books, covering an eclectic subject range. The Corbridge Larder is worth checking out for local food, and pop into The Pele Tower for a drink. The Grade I-listed converted tower in the heart of the village is a micro pub and brewery set over three floors and often has live music, but check first for opening times. The Watling Coffee House and Tea and Tipple are popular places to head for coffee and a light bite or a bake, but if you’ve worked up a real appetite then head back up to Hexham to The Beaumont’s open plan restaurant or Bouchon Bistrot, the French-inspired restaurant which serves all the classics, and is hugely popular with the locals.
Also in Hexham, The Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, a magnificent early Victorian building which faces Hexham Abbey, boasts a 350-seat theatre and exhibition space. Hexham Abbey is at the heart of this busy market town. Celebrating its 1,350th birthday in 2024, it’s well worth a visit.
