Towns and villages brim with character
Apr 8 2009 by The Journal
NORTHUMBERLANDS bustling market towns are fantastic places to visit, shop and explore. Come to Hexham and youll find a charming, vibrant and historic community, named Englands favourite market town by Country Life Magazine.
As well as its historic abbey, Hexham has a range of traditional shops, Englands oldest purpose-built jail now a tourist attraction and a modern swimming pool and leisure centre.
Nearby Corbridge is known for its clothes boutiques, coffee shops and a well-preserved Roman fort.
Further up the Tyne Valley is Haltwhistle, which has an open-air swimming pool, traditional pubs and tea shops and is only a stones throw from Hadrians Wall.
Morpeth, the home of Northumberland County Council, presents a charming mix of old and new, from its Bagpipe Museum to the farmers market held on the first Saturday of every month.
Amble is a small working fishing port. It is at the mouth of the picturesque River Coquet in the centre of the county. The town is flanked by beautiful beaches and striking countryside.
Go north to Alnwick and you will find Barter Books, one of Englands best-known second-hand book- shops and, of course, there are the major attractions of Alnwick Castle, which dominates the landscape.
One attraction next to the castle is the Alnwick Garden, with its magical Tree House Restaurant.
On the coast fairly nearby is Seahouses, a traditional seaside village, which offers delicious fish and chips and boat trips to the wildlife-rich Farne Islands.
Farther north, on the Scottish border, is Berwick-upon-Tweed with its unique Elizabethan town walls, winding streets with charming architecture and stunning views over the estuary.
Head inland to discover treasures such as Rothbury and Wooler. Here some old-fashioned individual shops that are well worth a visit, surrounded by striking hill scenery.
Northumberlands towns and villages offer a warm welcome, variety of choice and access to beautiful countryside.
:: Click here for more Northumberland attractions
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