Last updated 12:00, Monday, 14 July 2008

At the heart of England’s Favourite Market Town, are a popular Grade II listed attraction, providing a tranquil green space in which to relax, picnic or be active

HEXHAM Parks, at the heart of England’s Favourite Market Town, are a popular Grade II listed attraction, providing a tranquil green space in which to relax, picnic or be active.

Resplendent with 200 trees the park consists of three special areas connected by a network of paths – the leafy Abbey Grounds with its Victorian bandstand; picturesque Hexham House Grounds where the flower displays and sensory garden consistently delight visitors and Northumbria in Bloom judges; and the Sele... a large green space with two play areas, which the public has enjoyed for more than 250 years.

The park has received a Green Flag award for excellence for the sixth year running. Tynedale Council staff take pride in maintaining high standards, avoiding the use of herbicides and pesticides, and encouraging wildlife with the placement of bird and bat boxes.
The council’s environmental outreach officer works on environmental topics with young people, and runs a public events programme in the parks including nature trails, tree trails, wildlife painting and craft activities. Further information and a leaflet with event details is available from Tynedale Council’s environmental outreach officer on (01434) 652438. Nature activities can also be arranged for organised groups.

Special events in the park include Selefest, the free festival for young people that’s all about expression, which features extreme sports, live music, dance, acrobatics, graffiti and more. Saturday, July 12 noon to 6pm are the date and times to remember this year. Other events in the park include the Hexham Gathering, Hexham Carnival and the November bonfire and fireworks. This summer look out for concerts in the bandstand featuring a range of music from the Backworth Colliery Band. Event details can be found on the council’s website, www.tynedale.gov.uk, or from Hexham Tourist Information Centre, 01434 652220.

The sensory garden beside 18th century Hexham House is a special area of the park. Redesigned with the help of garden design students from Newcastle College Hexham Campus and other local groups, it has been described by local government awards judges as ‘a true community venture’.

In addition to the array of plants, shrubs and foliage of different scents, colours, and textures, a water feature, a striking mirror and seating areas, the garden features five sculptures created by well known local sculptor William Pym. These have been designed with the five senses in mind – touch, taste, sight, smell and sound. The plants featured in the sculptures are inspired by herbs commonly used to heal or appeal to the senses.
Representing touch is Arnica Montana which is known to sooth and heal; Plantago Major (used in years gone by to clear the ears) depicts sound; Thyme evokes the sense of smell; Bilberry is used for sight (‘seeing again with fresh eyes’); and Rosemary for taste, a commonly used cooking ingredient to flavour food.

A second phase in the project called the Glade is under way to create a tranquil space within the park.
A leaflet ‘A Walk in the Park’ describing all of Tynedale’s Parks is available from Tourist Information Centres, and in leaflet dispensers in the park; together with a leaflet about the Sensory Garden. Information for visitors is updated regularly in display cases in the parks.