Gruesome Tour of Hexham: Dark History Walking Tour

A market town massacre killed many people in Hexham's square.

A guided walking tour of Hexham's dark history, led by the official Town Crier who was born and raised in the town. You walk a circular route through the market square, past the abbey, and into Sele park, hearing about over 1,000 years of violence, gruesome punishments and the town's bloodiest days. The tour takes about an hour and is wheelchair accessible, dog-friendly and suitable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided walking tour of Hexham's history

• Walk through ancient Market Town
• Stop outside Abbey, hear bloody history
• Walk through garden, learn of attacks
• Walk through Sele park, see picnic spots
• Discover gruesome job's hidden gems
• Walk through Hexham House grounds
• End at Market Place, hear dark stories

The experience

Just arrived in Hexham or have an hour to spare? This walking tour gets you oriented while uncovering the town's violent past. Your guide is an accomplished public speaker and the official Hexham Town Crier. Someone born and raised here who spent eight months researching the history. The route is circular and stays accessible, moving through the ancient market town at a steady pace without steep terrain or long stretches between stops.

The tour begins in the market square and moves to the abbey, where your guide explains Hexham's bloodiest days and the repeated attacks from invaders that shaped the town. You'll walk through Sele park, discovering hidden spots and learning about one of history's toughest, grimmest jobs. The route passes through Hexham House grounds, a chance to take photographs, before returning to the market square to hear about the town's less flattering chapters. Along the way you'll hear about the market square massacre in which 51 were killed, the brutal punishments handed out for minor offences, and the macabre contents that gave the drinking water its distinctive flavour.

Dogs are welcome on this tour, and the whole route is wheelchair accessible with all surfaces and areas passable. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and children from age 6 are welcome. If you're using public transport to reach Hexham, options are available nearby.

What’s included

• Experienced storytelling guide.
• circular walking route through the market square, abbey, Sele park and Hexham House grounds.
• stories of over 1,000 years of Hexham's dark history including the market square massacre, brutal punishments and invasion attacks.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDepartures at 10:30 and 13:30Last departure this season: 19 Dec

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (6 to 15 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “We are Newcastle Based. But for our Gruesome Tour of Hexham we meet in HEXHAM Market Place, outside the Moot Hall over looking the Market Place (FACING the Abbey) You will find your guide by the black benches by the…”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Adventours UK Newcastle

Is this one for you?The tour covers about an hour of steady walking on a circular, accessible route, so it suits someone with a free afternoon in town or a first visit who wants to learn the layout while hearing the stories. Dogs and children from age 6 are welcome, and the pace works for all fitness levels.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 15 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

How long does the Hexham dark history tour take?

The tour lasts about an hour, making it easy to fit into a morning or afternoon in the town.

What happened in Hexham's market square?

A massacre in the market square killed 51 people, one of the bloodiest events in the town's over 1,000 years of history that the tour covers.

Who leads this walking tour?

The official Hexham Town Crier leads the tour: an accomplished public speaker born and raised in Hexham who spent eight months researching the town's dark history.

Can I bring my dog on the tour?

Yes, dogs are welcome on this walking tour, and the circular route is accessible for all fitness levels.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The entire route is wheelchair accessible with all areas and surfaces passable. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller as well.