What's On and Things To Do Around Hexham

From Jim Cartwirght, the award-winning writer of Little Voice and Road comes Two, a gritty yet heart-warming look at northern life filled with pathos and humour. Set in a Northern Pub where the Landlord and Landlady’s cheery greeting and friendly banter barely disguise their contempt for each other.

Pam Ayres has been making the nation laugh for over 40 years. Funny and warm, her charming understated manner belies a rare comic precision. Her hair-trigger timing, her eye for the absurd details of everyday life, and unforgettable turn of phrase, combine to make her a true national treasure.

Experience a whirlwind of movement as Edge Dance Company presents four brand new pieces by award winning choreographers with energy and prowess. This unusual programme by Philippe Blanchard, Tamsin Fitzgerald, Athina Vahla and Ben Wright ranges from the poetic to the wild. What will you make of each piece?

Song-writing alchemy… Described by Mike Harding as “two of our best songwriters and singers, understanding and enriching each other’s songs” and by Mark Radcliffe as a “top-class pair of songwriters”, two of the UK folk scene’s finest singer-songwriters Steve Tilston & Jez Lowe join forces for a series of concerts

Now in its eleventh successful year touring the UK, Broadway and Beyond is a thrilling and entertaining mix of musical wit from the most popular musicals of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries performed by eight West End professionals; comprising three all-singing, all-dancing actors accompanied by five

Shakespeare’s tale of illusion and revenge is brought vividly to life in Oddsocks’ musical, Sci-fi adaptation. From the company who brought you the “bonkers and brilliant” Romeo and Juliet and the “downright funny” Macbeth, experience The Tempest that’s out of this world.

Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading tribute acts, Beatlemania is one of the longest running and most successful Beatles shows in the world.

Formal terraced garden with beautiful views of Tyne Valley and plenty of garden seating. Woodland walks with rhododendrons and azaleas. Herd of alpaca in park, tennis, croquet, music during the afternoon, Chapel open Evensong 5pm. Dogs on leads. Car parking available.

Visit a 14th century pele tower with Queen Anne additions. The terraced garden has stunning views overlooking the Tyne valley, herbaceous borders, lawns and shrubs with massive beech hedges for protection. There is a charming chapel in the hamlet with Norman origins and Evensong at 5pm.

Hidden garden combining well executed design, traditional features and varied planting. Gravel garden, pond, large hexagonal pergola, lawn with borders and imposing 3 tier terrace topped by a seating area - all feature mature, colourful interesting planting of superb quality.

The biggest one day Agricultural Show in the North, with over 2,000 animals from Cattle, Sheep, Horses, Alpacas, Pigs, Goats, Rabbits, Cavies, Birds, donkeys and so much more! Three great arenas with Atkinson’s Action Horses, Police Dog display, Birds of Prey, The Sheep Show, Tug of War and Wrestling.

Bywell Castle garden is set on the river Tyne beside the Ancient ruin of Bywell Castle where Henry VI fled from the battlefield of Hexham in 1464. We have a wonderful view of the river Tyne, a woodland garden and a kitchen garden and orchard.

This garden illustrates how to make a cottage garden on a steep site with loads of interest at different levels. Planted with acers, roses and a variety of cottage garden and formal plants. Water runs gently through it and there are tranquil places to sit and talk or just reflect.

1 Acre garden consisting of woodland, stream, pond, Rosa Rogosa avenue and mixed planting. A feline theme is evident in this child friendly garden. Real cats and ornamental animals enhance the garden. 2 Giant Maine Coons,1 Red Bumese. Safari for children. Cat and garden lovers Bed & Breakfast. Dogs must be on leads.

Get inspired by Thomas Bewick this half-term with artsy fun. Activities include charcoal pictures, printing fun and storytelling. Plus, see how the rangers make their very own charcoal. Booking Not Needed.

Meet the rangers and see how they make barbecue charcoal from invasive rhododendron, and learn why it’s important for woodland health to remove this species. You’ll also get to prepare your own wood to turn into charcoal pencils and then take them home with you. Booking Not Needed.

Artist Mark Fairnington will present a series of miniature oil paintings at Cherryburn this season. The oil paintings have been made to reflect Cherryburn, the surrounding landscape, and the work of Thomas Bewick. Mark has been inspired by a series of walks he has made around Cherryburn and Northumberland.

Celebrate Father’s Day by spending some time in the outdoors learning all about bushcraft. You’ll be like the original wild child Thomas Bewick and enjoy a day of outdoor fun with Dad.

As part of Volunteers’ Week, meet the volunteer team at Allen Banks and get stuck into conservation tasks such as tree-guarding. Now’s your chance to find out about how Allen Banks is cared for, and help the volunteers and rangers for the day. Please bring a packed lunch and sturdy footwear.

Martin Carthy. Artists performing: Martin Carthy.: Tickets avaiable.

Follow the online digital trail to find Stamfordham’s HIDDEN TREASURES  Hidden Treasures is a brand new, free, arts trail in the beautiful village of Stamfordham, Northumberland. You download the trail onto your smartphone (or iPad, tablet, whatever) and roll on up to the village green.

Cheeseburn: ten acres of landscaped gardens, contemporary sculptures from around the world and unique sound installations throughout the grounds.

Eachwick is an early summer garden, with rhododendrons and azaleas. The beech woods are carpeted with bluebells. The walled garden protects the herbaceous borders and kitchen garden area, along with grandchildren’s climbing frames. We are creating an arboretum with a small lake. This is work in progress.

Belsay Horse Trials is organised by Laura and Peter de Wesselow, who live at Belsay and represent the current generation of the Middleton family, alongside a committee of volunteers. Eventing is one of very few sports that genuinely allow people to compete equally, whatever their experience.

Step inside the room that time forgot and have a groovy time! It’s 1968 - immerse yourself in the decade that brought us Dixon of Dock Green, Twister, miniskirts, Liberty print ties and Angel Delight! Enjoy a trip down memory lane. Booking Not Needed. Assistance Dogs only are welcome.

Bring your bike and enjoy a ranger-led cycle ride on the Dragon cycle trail. You’ll be pedalling across to Broom House Farm and beyond, exploring the Wallington estate in early summer and hearing all about the wildlife and the changing landscape. Booking Essential. Phone: 01670 773606.

Your chance to eavesdrop on some key moments that shaped the handover of Wallington to the National Trust and add your voice to the story. As you explore the house and grounds, you may encounter some ’pop-up’ theatre from award-winning performing arts company November Club.

Join our volunteer ranger for a walk around the woodland at Wallington. Discover some of Wallington’s rich history and wildlife on a guided walk around the woodland. Booking Not Needed. Dogs on leads welcome.

Magical walled, terraced garden with herbaceous and mixed borders. Packed with colour. Edwardian conservatory with unusual plants. 100 acres of woodland. Pleasure grounds, river and lakes. Set in a stunning landscape, with opportunities for walking and cycling. House dates from 1688.

A peaceful, contemplative 3 acre garden developed and planted by the owner and BBC Gardener of the Year as a space for quiet reflection. Arboretum specialising in bark, stream, wildlife pond and bog garden. Semi-shaded Japanese maple and dwarf rhododendron garden. Rock garden and scree bed.

Gibside is delighted to host Great Run Local who organise free weekly 2km and 5km timed runs that are open to everyone and are safe and easy to take part in. The runs will take place at Gibside each Sunday throughout the year.

Join a history tour to hear all about Gibside and how it came to be. The vision of coal baron George Bowes, Gibside is one of the few surviving 18th century designed landscape gardens. It was fashioned with two things in mind: spectacular views and ’wow’ moments.

Delve into Gibside’s past through a new and exciting installation by mixed media artist Fiona Curran and visit her architectural folly by the Orangery.

Sculptor Andrew Burton has researched the tempestuous story of Mary Eleanor’s second marriage to Andrew Robinson "Stoney" Bowes as well as looked at the original urns that once graced Mary Eleanor Bowes’ original orangery.

There is so much fun to be had with the humble stick. From building tiny mouse houses to creating huge dens, identifying trees and making stick art. Spend your May half term discovering just how much you can do with a stick. Booking Not Needed. Dogs on leads welcome.

Get fit with the help of Body and Mind Lifestyle on a Nordic Walking class. Whatever age, fitness level or goal, it’s a different way of enjoying the outdoors and working your muscles at the same time. Walking, using the poles provided you have support to work out harder as you’re on the move.

It’s been proven that getting outdoors for a relaxing stroll can improve your health and wellbeing. So how about joining in a Health Walk every Wednesday from 11am. You can meet a guide at Visitor Reception for a walk around the grounds, as well as meet new people.

Whether you are new to sewing or have been doing it as long as you can remember, the Gibside Sewing Group meet weekly and everyone is welcome. The Gibside Sewing Group meet every Thursday morning at 10.30am in the main caf.

Explore Gibside after hours. The summer sun and lighter nights are ideal for longer adventures, so we’re opening the whole estate until late. Stroll around this eighteenth-century landscape garden while the sun sets, celebrate history through two contemporary art installations and down your picnic blanket.

Gibside Pub can be found inside the main caf every Friday and Saturday evening until 9pm. And although it may be on the small side, it is nestled within an 18th-century garden as well as being the only pub in the village. Inside you’ll find Wylam Brewery ales on tap, lager, wine, cider and soft drinks available.

Every month we open up the floor at Gibside Pub for Showcase night. Whether you’re simply looking for somewhere to relax and be entertained, or you happen to be a budding musician and would like to show off your talents this could be for you.

Whether you’re new to running, a youngster or an Olympic athlete, all runners are welcome at Gibside parkrun, a free 5km timed run every Saturday at 9am. It’s an opportunity to enjoy running in a historic garden where the background noise includes birdsong, perhaps a lawnmower or two, and not much else.

Enjoy the fantastic acoustics of Gibside Chapel with live music from local performers and choirs (1.30 - 2.30pm) followed by a traditional Anglican service (3pm). Free entry. Booking Not Needed.

Meet author of best-selling biography Wedlock, Wendy Moore, and hear the turbulent story of Gibside’s most famous eighteenth century heroine, Countess of Strathmore Mary Eleanor Bowes. Follow Eleanor’s life through its most scandalous and controversial period, her marriage to conman Stoney Bowes.

Running alongside the 24 Hour Race, take part in an evening run around a varied and scenic route. Take part in a multi-lap race. There is a strict 5 hour limit to ensure all runners complete the race before dark. Booking Essential. Phone: Email only.

Running alongside the Gibside Marathon, enjoy a scenic route and a real running challenge. How many laps of our marathon course can you do in 24 hours' Footpaths range from tarmac, hardcore and trail. Water, juice, salty snacks and sweets will be provided. Booking Essential. Phone: Online entries only.

Enjoy a 7 mile guided walk around the furthest reaches of George Bowes’ landscape park and farm. Uncover some of Gibside’s views and lesser trodden paths. Our guided walks are sociable and led by experienced guides.

Shakespeare’s comedy of love and intrigue, magic and mayhem, is brought to life in a funny and exuberant production. Four young, unsuspecting lovers become entangled in a magical affray and soon no mortals are safe in those bewitching woods outside Athens. Booking Essential. Phone: 01207 541820.

Discover what’s living below the surface of a pond. We have nets, underwater cameras and experts on hand so you’ll have everything you need to discover the wildlife living below the surface. Maybe you’ll see a rare great crested newt. Booking Essential. Phone: 01207 541820.

The garden is attached to an award winning specialist plant nursery (5 Chelsea Gold Medals and winner of the RHS Presidents Award 2015).