Bridges, Battlements & Borderland History: A Day Exploring Corbridge & Hexham

With a spell of fine weather, I decided it was time to venture somewhere a little different - Northumberland. It’s a region I haven’t spent nearly enough time in, and today reminded me exactly why that needs to change. I headed out with a loose plan centred around Corbridge and Hexham, two towns steeped in history and surrounded by some truly stunning countryside and historic landmarks.

The day turned into a fantastic mix of architecture, ruins, rural beauty and mining remnants, with everything from castles and churches to bridges and traces of industry. Northumberland’s landscape feels layered with centuries of history—Roman, medieval, industrial and everything in between—and it made for a day packed with variety, atmosphere, and plenty of locations to capture from above.

Corbridge Bridge – A Medieval Crossing Still Standing Strong

Corbridge Bridge, also known as Old Bridge, spans the River Tyne and dates back to 1674, though it replaced earlier wooden and stone crossings that had served the settlement for centuries. Built using local sandstone, the bridge has five grand arches and is a remarkable survivor from the 17th century, especially considering the region’s frequent flooding. For over 300 years, it served as the main river crossing into Corbridge until a newer bridge was constructed upstream. As one of the few surviving medieval bridges in Northumberland, it stands as a testament to both historic engineering and the strategic importance of Corbridge as a key crossing point near Hadrian’s Wall.

From the air, Corbridge Bridge reveals its elegant proportions and its role within the surrounding landscape. The gentle curve of the River Tyne beneath it adds to the charm, while the bridge’s worn stone and symmetry stand out beautifully against the flowing water. The quaint buildings of Corbridge rise just beyond the bridge, giving context to its position and importance in the local geography. The afternoon light picked out the textures in the stonework, casting shadows beneath each arch and emphasising its architectural strength and grace. It’s a stunning structure—as photogenic as it is historic.

Walker's Pottery – Echoes of Corbridge's Ceramic Past

Nestled on the outskirts of Corbridge, Walker's Pottery operated from 1840 to 1910, marking a significant chapter in the town's industrial history. This family-run enterprise specialized in producing firebricks and earthenware, while also crafting tiles, pipes, and various agricultural items. Utilizing clay sourced from a nearby pit, transported via wagonway, the pottery's output was integral to the local economy. Today, many of the original structures remain, including two well-preserved 15-meter-high bottle kilns, horizontal kilns, a down-draught kiln, and a chimney, offering a tangible connection to Corbridge's artisanal heritage.

From an aerial perspective, Walker's Pottery presents a captivating scene. The distinctive bottle kilns stand prominently amidst the surrounding greenery, their rounded forms contrasting with the linear architecture of the adjacent buildings.The site's proximity to the River Tyne is evident from above, highlighting the strategic placement for resource transportation and trade during its operational years. Capturing the site from this vantage point emphasizes the harmonious blend of industrial architecture and natural landscape, underscoring the enduring legacy of Corbridge's ceramic craftsmanship.

Halton Castle – A Quiet Guardian Over the Tyne Valley

Halton Castle, just west of Corbridge, is a lesser-known medieval tower house with roots dating back to the 14th century. Built as a fortified manor house, it was originally the seat of the de Halton family, who held significant local power. The current structure largely dates from the late 1300s, with later additions in the 17th century when it was adapted into a more comfortable residence. Despite its age, the castle has remained in private hands and is remarkably well-preserved, offering a rare glimpse into the type of fortified domestic buildings that once dotted the Northumberland landscape. Today, it continues to be used as a private residence, though its historic charm and commanding setting haven’t diminished.

From the air, Halton Castle cuts a striking figure, standing proudly amid rolling green fields with sweeping views across the Tyne Valley. The tower house and attached buildings form a compact, symmetrical complex, surrounded by a neatly maintained courtyard and stone boundary walls. Its position on slightly raised ground gives it a sense of quiet authority, and the aerial perspective highlights its defensive layout, even though it now sits in tranquil countryside. With the light catching the warm tones of its stone and the surrounding farmland stretching in all directions, Halton Castle feels like a perfectly preserved piece of medieval Northumberland, frozen in time.

Beaufront Castle – Victorian Grandeur in the Northumberland Hills

Beaufront Castle, located just outside Hexham, is a striking 19th-century country house built in the style of a medieval fortress, though it was never intended as a defensive structure. Designed by renowned architect John Dobson and completed around 1837, the castle was commissioned by the Cuthbert family, wealthy local landowners. Its architecture blends romantic Gothic Revival features—such as turrets, battlements, and arched windows—with the grandeur of a stately home, reflecting the Victorian fascination with medieval style and storytelling. Though privately owned and not open to the public, it remains a standout example of Northumberland’s country house tradition.

From the air, Beaufront Castle looks every bit the storybook fortress, sitting amid rolling parkland with tree-lined drives and manicured grounds. The symmetry of the central tower flanked by wings, along with its elevated setting, gives it a powerful presence in the landscape. The aerial perspective showcases not only the castle’s striking design, but also the expanse of estate land that surrounds it, offering a glimpse into the scale and ambition of such properties in the Victorian era. It’s a perfect blend of fantasy and function, and seeing it from above truly highlights its romantic architectural drama.

Hexham Bridge – A Resilient River Crossing with a Storied Past

Hexham Bridge spans the River Tyne just south of the town, forming a vital link between Hexham and the communities to the north. The current stone structure dates from 1793, making it one of several bridges built on this spot after repeated destruction by floods. Earlier wooden and stone bridges were swept away by the river’s power, with the most catastrophic being the Great Flood of 1771, which destroyed almost every bridge on the Tyne. The existing bridge was built with strength and longevity in mind, designed by architect Robert Mylne with nine sturdy arches and piers built to withstand the river’s frequent surges. It remains an essential route into the town and a lasting symbol of engineering resilience.

From the air, Hexham Bridge curves gracefully across the Tyne, its rhythmic arches reflected in the water below. The aerial view reveals the bridge’s strategic importance, connecting the historic town centre with the wider Northumberland countryside. Surrounded by green fields and the meandering river, the bridge forms a picture-perfect crossing, especially in softer afternoon light. The symmetry and structure of the stonework is beautifully highlighted from above, showing off both its aesthetic charm and practical function—a fine example of how historic infrastructure continues to serve modern needs.

Hexham Abbey – A Living Monument to Northumberland’s Sacred Past

Hexham Abbey is one of the most historically significant religious buildings in the North of England. Originally founded in 674 AD by St Wilfrid, it began life as a Benedictine monastery built from stone pillaged from nearby Roman ruins, likely from Hadrian’s Wall. The current structure mostly dates from the 12th and 13th centuries, reflecting the Early English Gothic style, though parts of the original Anglo-Saxon crypt still survive beneath the abbey today. Over the centuries, the abbey has withstood Viking raids, reformation upheaval, and Victorian restorations, yet remains an active parish church and a central part of Hexham’s identity. Its long and complex history makes it not only a place of worship but a living museum of faith, architecture and northern resilience.

From the air, Hexham Abbey dominates the townscape, its imposing tower and elegant layout standing proudly above the rooftops of the surrounding streets. The cruciform shape of the abbey becomes clear from above, with the rooflines and stone buttresses casting distinct shadows in the changing light. The aerial perspective also shows how the abbey is nestled within the historic heart of Hexham, surrounded by narrow streets, green spaces, and market squares. Capturing it from above brought a new appreciation of its scale, symmetry, and its central role in the landscape—a timeless sentinel watching over the town for more than 1,300 years.

Dukesfield Mill – The Industrial Heart of a Lead Empire

Dukesfield Mill, nestled in woodland near Slaley, was once the smelting centre of the Blackett lead empire—one of the most powerful and influential lead operations in the North of England during the 18th and early 19th centuries. Constructed in the early 1700s, the site processed lead ore from the mines in Allendale and Weardale, smelting it into ingots that were then transported to the ports of Blaydon and Newcastle. The mill played a central role in the regional lead industry, linking remote upland mining with urban markets. Though smelting ceased by the mid-1800s, parts of the site survive today, including the impressive stone archways of the former flue system, now carefully preserved by the Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project, which has restored access and interpretation for visitors.

From the air, Dukesfield Mill is almost hidden by the trees, but its key features—the twin stone flue arches—stand out clearly, emerging from the woodland like forgotten gateways. The drone captured the site in its natural setting, with the remnants of buildings and pathways tracing out the footprint of what was once a thriving industrial complex. The contrast between the quiet rural beauty of the present and the furnace-driven bustle of the past makes it a compelling place to document. Seen from above, Dukesfield tells the story of how deeply industry was woven into the landscape—and how nature has since softened its edges, leaving behind something both historically rich and hauntingly beautiful.

Newton Cap Viaduct – A Grand Entrance into Bishop Auckland

What do you do when you've got a little bit of time to spare, while in Bishop Auckland? Well, most people would probably grab a coffee, not me, it was a perfect chance to capture this wonderful bridge in the spring sunshine. The Newton Cap Viaduct is one of the most impressive and instantly recognisable structures in Bishop Auckland, spanning the River Wear just north of the town centre. Built in 1857 by the North Eastern Railway, it was originally designed to carry coal trains over the river on their way to the East Coast, forming part of the once-bustling rail network that fuelled County Durham’s mining economy. The viaduct stretches an impressive 105 metres, with eleven soaring stone arches. Though it ceased carrying rail traffic in the 1960s, it was later converted into a road bridge, and remains a vital route today. Its enduring presence and graceful design have made it a landmark of local engineering heritage, and a fitting symbol of Bishop Auckland’s industrial past.

From the air, the Newton Cap Viaduct looks absolutely majestic, rising from the steep banks of the Wear with its arches casting long shadows across the water and fields below. The drone captures the sheer scale and symmetry of the structure perfectly—particularly striking when set against the backdrop of Auckland Castle and the town beyond. The late afternoon light often adds a golden glow to the stone, highlighting the craftsmanship and geometry of each arch. It’s a place I always enjoy revisiting, and seeing it from above never gets old—a powerful blend of beauty, function, and history all in one shot.

Wrapping Up the Day

Today’s wander through Corbridge, Hexham and into rural Northumberland was a refreshing change of pace—and a reminder of just how rich and varied this part of the country is. From Roman roads and medieval bridges to Victorian castles, ancient abbeys, and the quiet remains of heavy industry, the landscape is layered with stories waiting to be uncovered. Each stop had its own character, whether it was the grand presence of Hexham Abbey, the architectural drama of Beaufront Castle, or the haunting beauty of Dukesfield Mill hidden in the trees.

The fine weather held out all day, giving perfect conditions for capturing both the sweeping landscapes and the intricate details from above. Finishing the day back closer to home at the Newton Cap Viaduct, watching the shadows stretch across the river, was the perfect way to close things out. It was one of those days where every stop—planned or spontaneous—added something special. A proper reminder that whether it's castles, churches, bridges or industry, there's no shortage of history and beauty to be found just by following the road.