Northumberland is home to some truly fantastic museums, each offering a window into the county’s rich history, culture and character – from Roman heritage and grand country houses to mining stories and medieval treasures. If you’re planning to add a little history to your stay and days out there’s no shortage of fascinating places to explore. If a trip to the nearby market town of Hexham is on your to-do list then don’t miss visiting The Old Gaol, the earliest recorded purpose-built prison in England, where centuries of crime, punishment and Border history come to life within its thick stone walls.
Descend into History at Hexham’s Old Gaol
Behind the heavy door of this unique museum the everyday life of those historical days comes vividly into focus through real artefacts with visitors able to get up close to collections of arms and armour, shackles, historic documents, textiles and archaeological finds. One of the most striking display pieces is that of the plague doctor, whose haunting beaked mask and dark robes immediately capture the imagination, offering a powerful visual link to the fear and mystery surrounding disease in the early modern world. A particularly atmospheric moment comes as you take the glass lift down to the dungeon level of The Old Gaol where the doors stay closed and you look directly into the stone cell below while a short audio commentary brings its grim past to life.
Hexham Moot Hall – A Historic Landmark
Once your back outside, the old stocks are the perfect opportunity for a photograph before a slow wander to the Market Place takes you past the Moot Hall. This striking medieval building dates back to the late 14th or early 15th century and was originally built as both a gatehouse into the Hallgate precinct and a courthouse where justice was administered for the Liberty of Hexhamshire. Its imposing four‑storey tower and three‑storey annex, complete with vaulted passageway through to Hallgate, make it one of the best surviving examples of medieval civic architecture in northern England.
While the interior isn’t generally open as a visitor attraction, you can still admire the building’s wonderfully preserved exterior, take in the craftsmanship of the stonework and imagine the bustle of medieval courts, traders and townsfolk that would have passed through its arches centuries ago. It’s a highlight for anyone who loves history and architectural heritage in English market towns.
A visit to Hexham’s Old Gaol is a wonderful reminder of how rich and atmospheric this region’s past can be and it sits perfectly within the superb museum offer across Northumberland and the North East of England. Together, these museums offer an engaging and varied journey through time, inviting visitors to move beyond the present and discover the people, places and events that have shaped this beautiful and yet remarkable corner of the country.
