If you’re starting to plan your holidays, but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg travelling overseas, why not take a break somewhere closer to home? Hexham, a small market town in Northumberland, has a population of 13,000 and is the perfect location for a gorgeous staycation.

You could become one of just 120,000 people who visit the town each year, and enjoy its quiet rural atmosphere. One unmissable part of the town is Hexham Abbey. First built in 674AD, the abbey was originally constructed using repurposed material from Roman ruins before being rebuilt in the 13th century. 

Today, Hexham Abbey largely looks as it did 800 years ago and is the perfect place to soak up some history.

There’s also a gorgeous park in this charming market town that’s perfect for a spring time wander. The Abbey Gardens and adjacent Sele park range from formal gardens featuring a pretty, traditional bandstand to woodland walks and the open grassy expanse of the Sele – great for young and old alike.

If you want even more of the great outdoors, why not explore the nearby Hadrians Wall?

Construction of this incredible monument began in 122AD and the wall divided the Roman occupied England and Caledonia, as well as the area of Scotland beyond the River Forth, spanning around 73 miles with forts built at regular intervals.

Whilst ambitious visitors can go on a walk across the entire length of the wall, Walltown Crags a short drive outside Hexham is described by travel blog The Crazy Tourist as  one of the best parts, with the hilly landscape making for some stunning views.

The blog also recommended a trip to the Old Gaol for fans of the spookier side of history.

Built in 1333, Hexham Old Gaol was used to keep inmates for nearly 500 years, with prisoners needing to pay for their own food, drink and clothing. Today, tourists can see what life was like inside a Medieval prison as well as paying a visit to the Border Library Collection in the building, which showcases some of the culture that came to England through the town.