Corbridge & Hexham: Historic High Streets & Riverside Walk | Family & Dog-Friendly Day out

Tucked away in the scenic Tyne Valley, the historic towns of Corbridge and Hexham offer the perfect blend of Roman ruins and relaxing riverside escapes. Whether you are wandering through the boutique-lined streets of Corbridge with family or enjoying a slow-paced walk along the banks of the River Tyne with friends, this corner of Northumberland is a haven for explorers. From 17th-century bridges to vibrant parks with plenty of space for kids and dogs to roam, this post shares our discovery of these two local gems over a spring weekend.

a house along the shore of the river Tyne in Corbridge — Corbridge old bridge and riverside

In this guide:

Introduction

Our trips to these two historic spots actually took place over two separate weekends in April. Corbridge and Hexham have been on our ‘must-visit’ list for a long time, and we finally had the perfect opportunity to explore Corbridge when Matt’s parents came to visit us.

On our second weekend, we headed to Hexham for a beautiful walk along the banks of the River Tyne with our friend, Tania. She recently moved from Glasgow, where we last visited her, to Newcastle. Since we were looking for a meeting spot right in the middle, Hexham turned out to be the ideal choice for a long-overdue catch-up and a scenic stroll.

Read about our visit of Glasgow botanic garden

small streets in Corbridge town — Corbridge beautiful houses

Explore the area

Corbridge: Roman Heritage & Riverside Views

I knew little about Corbridge except that it was supposed to be gorgeous, and honestly, that was enough for me to want to visit. Steeped in history, this village was once the most northerly town in the Roman Empire, serving as a vital supply base for Hadrian’s Wall known as Coria.

Arriving late morning, we began our visit by crossing the stunning 17th-century stone bridge. This iconic seven-arch structure is actually the only bridge on the Tyne river to have survived the great flood of 1771. From it, we looked out over the beautiful houses bordering the river. Directly after crossing, we followed the riverside path to its end. The path was bustling with families and dog walkers, and with the spring flowers beginning to bloom under a bright sun, it finally felt like the first hot day of the year.

The graveyard of St Andrew Church in Corbridge

Leaving the riverbank, we headed into the town centre to find a spot for lunch. We settled on the Black Bull, a traditional pub with a fantastic gastro-menu. Originally built in the 1700s, it’s full of character. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. We will definitely recommend it if you are looking for a place to eat in Corbridge.

After lunch, we roamed the narrow streets and independent shops. The local bakery was particularly tempting with its display of patisseries. The 7th-century St Andrew’s Church looked beautiful surrounded by daffodils. The town was busy with people enjoying drinks on the terraces, yet the atmosphere remained peaceful, as if time had slowed down.

On the way back to the car, we walked along the opposite riverbank, which gave us a fresh perspective on the grand houses and a lovely stretch of woodland. Corbridge is a truly lovely town for a family day out, though its charm certainly draws a crowd so be prepared for it to be busy.

View of the river Tyne from Corbridge bridge

Entrance of the Black bull pub in Corbridge

Riverside walk from Hexham

Distance: 6.7km
Duration: 2h
Ascent: +97m
Level: Easy
Car Park: Tyne Green Rd, Hexham NE46 3HR, Free
Child friendly: Pushchair friendly if staying on the large path, path is easy to walk for toddlers and also use balance bikes.
Dog friendly: Yes,

Download the Free PDF and GPX of the Walk

Even though Hexham is famous for its history as it is home to the magnificent Hexham Abbey and England’s first purpose-built prison, the Old Gaol, for this visit, we focused on exploring the natural beauty of the River Tyne.

Starting from Tyne Green Country Park, we followed the winding shore of the river, taking in the peaceful views. We tracked the riverbank until we reached the historic bridge near Warden, which sits near the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ where the North and South Tyne join together. Here, we made a short detour for a well-earned lunch at the Boatside Inn.

After a lovely meal and a catch-up with our friend, we made our way back. This time, we opted for the paved bicycle track rather than the slightly rockier path closer to the water. While both paths are easy to navigate, the cycle track is definitely the better choice for families with pushchairs or little ones on wheels.

Spring flower along the river Tyne near Hexham — Spring along the river Tyne

This walk is a dream for kids; there are three different playgrounds dotted along the route to keep them entertained. Marcus absolutely loved zooming along on his balance bike, and the route was so flat and easy that we only had to carry him for a very short distance. It’s also dog-friendly, with plenty of open stretches where dogs can safely run off-lead.

We were lucky enough to see rowing boats gliding down the river and several trains passing on the Tyne Valley Line, both of which were huge highlights for Marcus. Even though we didn’t have time to venture into the historic town centre this time (a real shame, but a great excuse to return!), we all thoroughly enjoyed the slow-paced, scenic rhythm of this riverside walk.

Travel Tips:

To help you plan your own adventure, we’ve gathered the essential links for each location below that will help you dive deeper into the history and logistics of these iconic spots.

Essential information to visit Corbridge

Free car park in Corbridge, B6321, Corbridge NE45 5AX
Black bull inn pub in Corbridge website (dog friendly)
Toilet in the town centre on Princes St
Paths accessible for toddler balance bikes and pushchairs along the river

Essential information to visit Hexham

Free car park in Hexham, Tyne Green Rd, Hexham NE46 3HR
Boatside inn pub website (dog friendly)
Paths accessible for toddler balance bikes both along the river, and pushchair if using the cycle track
Three outdoor playgrounds for toddlers: at Tyne Green Country Park (NE46 3SG), at the boatside inn and on Burn lane (NE46 3HG)
Toilet at the park

Bird on the shore of the river Tyne near Hexham — River Tyne

Extend Your Adventure: Make a Holiday of It

If you have a bit more time to explore the Tyne Valley and beyond, here are a few of our favourite spots nearby. Each offers a perfect blend of history and adventure for the whole family:

Hadrian’s Wall (5 miles from Hexham / 11 miles from Corbridge): This iconic Roman frontier is right on your doorstep. Explore the ruins at Housesteads or take a scenic walk along the Sill for some of the best-preserved sections of the wall.
Allen Banks & Staward Gorge (11 miles from Hexham / 15 miles from Corbridge): A magnificent National Trust site featuring ancient woodland and deep river gorges. It is a fantastic spot for a more rugged dog walk or a family “jungle” adventure through the trees.
Lambley Viaduct (18 miles from Hexham / 22 miles from Corbridge): This impressive Victorian structure offers spectacular views across the South Tyne valley. The flat path across the top is easy for kids and provides a unique perspective of the surrounding canopy.
Kielder Observatory (38 miles from Hexham / 42 miles from Corbridge): Located in the heart of Northumberland’s Dark Sky Park, this is a world-class spot for stargazing. It is a slightly longer drive, but the chance to see the Milky Way makes it a truly magical evening out. Unfortunately during our visit, it snowed and we couldn’t see the sky. The experience was never the less incredible.