FILMING crews have been a regular sight in town and surrounding areas over the past few months.

Good Morning Britain crews were spotted in Hexham and its marketplace on January 17, with ITV presenter Andi Peters interviewing residents and business owners about why the town is one of the 'happiest places to live'.

Hexham Courant: Andi outside Market Place Coffee in HexhamAndi outside Market Place Coffee in Hexham (Image: Hexham Community Partnership)

Andi toured the town and made six live broadcasts to be featured in Good Morning Britain’s ‘Banish the January Blues’ fortnight series.

Hexham was selected by the ITV production team because it has twice been found to be the happiest place to live in Britain in Rightmove’s annual survey.

Janie French from Hexham Community Partnership and Visit Hexham said: "We were really blessed with the weather as it was frosty with blue skies above and Hexham looked its beautiful best.

"Andi's visit was a wonderful opportunity to show Hexham off to a national TV audience as Lorraine Kelly's ITV programme alone attracts 1.2 million viewers."

The popular ITV crime series Vera, featuring titular character Brenda Blethyn as DCI Vera Stanhope, also filmed scenes for season 13 in Hexham marketplace in May 2023.

Hexham Courant: Brenda Blethyn and David Leon in character as DCI Vera Stanhope and Joe Ashworth, on set during their first day of filming for the thirteenth series on location in Haydon BridgeBrenda Blethyn and David Leon in character as DCI Vera Stanhope and Joe Ashworth, on set during their first day of filming for the thirteenth series on location in Haydon Bridge (Image: ITV Studios/Silverprint Pictures)

Small World Cafe featured in episode one of Vera's latest season.

Popular BBC show Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes has featured many local businesses and people in its second series.

Robson got involved with cold water swimming at Sweethope Lough in Northumberland with Fenwick Ridley, an open-water swimming coach, before relaxing in refurbished railway carriage accommodation at Wannies Retreat in West Woodburn in episode two.

In episode four, actor Denise Welch joins Robson in the Northumbrian countryside.

Hexham Courant: Robson GreenRobson Green (Image: Archive)

The pair enjoy painting and horseriding in Allendale before experiencing a sound bath on the moors. 

Hesleyside Huts, a luxury glamping retreat near Hexham, also provided treehouse accommodation for the presenter. 

Later in the season, Robson journeys to Kielder and explores the man-made forest alongside teams from Calvert Kielder, a group which provides outdoor activities for people of all abilities.

Robson also teams up with crime author LJ Ross to explore Holy Island, a location featured in the author's DCI Ryan series of books.