Corbridge, a charming ancient community encircled by gorgeous, unspoiled Northumbrian scenery, has a lot to offer, including specialty stores, historic inns, and a bridge over the river from the 12th century. The market town of Hexham is a few miles distant and is well worth a visit with its small, busy streets, good assortment of shops, and an intriguing abbey boasting 15th-century frescoes and a beautiful Saxon crypt. Hadrian's Wall and Housesteads Fort are close. The Gateshead Metro Centre (one of the biggest retail centres in Europe) is about 20 miles to the east, as are the Border Country, Northumbrian shoreline, Kielder Forest with cycling and watersports, Beamish Open Air Museum, and Durham Cathedral. Locally, there are also excellent opportunities for fly and coarse fishing.