History of Hexham

Author: B Wright, originally published 1828

An online book available free from Google Books

Editors Review

This essay covers the town of Hexham, and the Parishes of Allendale & St John Lee; generally known collectively as Hexhamshire.  The first chapter deals with the state of Hexham in the 1820's, the climate, boundaries and extent.  "The climate is temperate and healthier and milder than any other part of the county" states the author.  Well maybe healthier and warmer than say South Shields with its cold winds and black smoke from the salt pans.  His description of the Tyne valley bears some resemblance to the Garden of Eden!  The author gives a guided tour of the streets of Hexham, and one could walk the same steps the author took two centuries ago.  There is a certain amount of statistical information on Hexham in the 18th and 19th century.  The author paints a picture of a town that was industrial, as well as agricultural; sometimes we forget that industry stretched much further along the Tyne Valley in days gone by.  There are some very good prints of Hexham Abbey at the very end of the book.  The list of contents is on page ix and there are web links in the contents pages.

Conclusion: this book is well worth a read if you are interested in Hexham or Northumberland history