Hexham

Stone streets and Saxon stones tell the story of one of Northumberland's most enduring market towns. Hexham sits where the River Tyne cuts through countryside that rolls from the Pennines to Hadrian's Wall, creating a landscape that shifts from pastoral to dramatic within minutes. The town feels properly lived-in rather than prettified - shops serve locals first, tourists second.

Hexham Abbey dominates the skyline with its 7th-century crypt and Saxon stones, while the old gaol on Hallgates now houses a fascinating museum that doesn't shy away from the grimmer aspects of border life. Tuesday's market fills the cobbled square with proper Yorkshire puddings and Northumberland cheese - it's been running since 1239 and shows no signs of slowing down.

Tynedale stretches in every direction from here. Walk east and you'll hit sections of Hadrian's Wall that most tourists miss. Head west into the North Pennines and the landscape opens into something altogether wilder. The Tyne Valley railway connects Hexham to Newcastle in under an hour, making it surprisingly accessible for a place that feels genuinely remote.

Basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into town for supplies or a proper pub lunch, but far enough out to wake up to nothing but birdsong and rolling hills. The surrounding countryside rewards exploration - whether that's following Roman roads or hunting down the best farm shops in the valley.