| Hexham - Northumberland is an attractive market | | | | During the 18th and 19th centuries, the town was |
| town. It used to be the administrative center for the | | | | known for its superb leather products, especially |
| entire Tynedale district. Hexham is one of the three | | | | gloves which were called Hexham Tans. This is now |
| main towns in the area. The last population census | | | | the name of a popular restaurant that specializes in |
| established that it has just over 11,000 residents. | | | | vegetarian dishes. History shows that in the year |
| Along with many other towns in North England, | | | | 1823, the local tannery made 80,000 dressed leather |
| Hexham was badly affected during the wars against | | | | skins, and exported more than 20,000 dozen pairs of |
| the Scots. The infamous William Wallace burnt down | | | | Hexham Tans gloves. The leather industry still forms |
| the entire town in 1297. Then, a few years later, | | | | an integral part of the local economy. |
| Robert the Bruce held the town at ransom and | | | | Hexham boasts a Grade 1 listed building, namely the |
| threatened to burn it down again unless he was paid | | | | Moot Hall which, up until 1838, was the town's |
| 2,000 pounds. | | | | courthouse. It is now serves as offices for the |
| The oldest building, the Hexham Abbey, was used as | | | | Museum Department of the council. Unfortunately, |
| a monastery by its founder, Saint Wilfred, in 674. | | | | this landmark is not open for public viewing. |
| The crypt of the monastery managed to survive all | | | | In 2005 the residents were thrilled when their town |
| adversities. It contains stones from nearby ruins | | | | won the Britain in Bloom award. During the same |
| which are thought to be either Hadrian's Wall or Coria. | | | | year, it was also proclaimed to be England's favorite |
| The present abbey dates back to the 11th Century, | | | | market town by Country Life magazine. Hexham |
| but was only properly restored during the 19th | | | | offers tourists a bus service to all the main |
| Century. | | | | attractions. The town also has several taxi operators. |