Hexhamshire, or "The Shire" as it is known locally, is an area of Northumberland lying south of the market town of Hexham. The original larger area was thought to be the piece of land given by Queen Ethelreda to St Wilfrid in 674 to found the Priory of Hexham.
It is now firmly in Northumberland, although responsibility for government of the land has changed over the centuries, and in the medieval period for example, the whole area was under the control of the Archbishop of York.
The cache is located on the high moor of Hexhamshire Common. Try to visit on a clear day and you will be rewarded with fine views, and if you're quiet you should also see a variety of wildlife. On my first visit my sightings included deer, hare and stoat, plus curlew, skylark, lapwing, redshank, pheasant and barn owl, (not forgetting loads of rabbits).
My recommended starting point is at the ford over the Rowley Burn where there is good parking at each side. Adventurous vehicles could continue further up the rough road from here as far as the gate which leads to the fell top and from where "Open Access" starts. For an approach from a completely different angle, there is additional parking on the road to Westburnhope farm.
