Northumberland Cathedrals & Churches

Hexham Abbey

Market Place, Hexham. Founded by St Wilfrid in 674, the original Saxon church was (as many buildings of that time) constructed from stones taken from Hadrian’s Wall. The crypt is all that remains of the original building and Roman inscriptions can still be seen on some of the stones. The present 12th Century Abbey remains Hexham’s Parish church.

Its treasures include the stone "Saint Wilfrid’s Chair", reputedly the coronation seat for the Kings of Northumbria; Saxon crypt, 15th century paintings, misericords and Saxon chalice; the 7th century Frith Stool and the Augustine night stair, also known as the grand Midnight Stair, which once led to the canon’s dormitory.

Market Place  Hexham,  NE46 3NB  Tel: 01434 602031   Email

Lindisfarne Priory

Reached only across a causeway at low tide so you will need to check the Tide Timetables before your visit. Nothing remains of the original monastery which was founded in the 7th century by St Aidan. Following its destruction by the Vikings in 793, it was 400 years before Lindisfarne was re-established as a Benedictine priory.
 
This new priory was itself destroyed by Henry VIII in the 16th century and the stones were used to build Lindisfarne Castle.

The dramatic "rainbow arch" over the nave of the priory still stands. The excellent Visitor Centre explains how the monks used to live on this wind-swept island.

Holy Island Berwick-on-Tweed TD15 2RX Tel: 01289 389200

Brinkburn Priory

A deserted Augustinian Priory founded in 1135 and restored in the 19th Century in a lovely setting beside the river Coquet.  Now it is one of the finest Gothic priory buildings in England. There are a number of major pieces of stunning contemporary sculpture. In 1998 the Monk’s House at Brinkburn was re-opened for visitors.

Rothbury. NE65 8AS  Tel: 01665 570628

Warkworth  Hermitage

A small cave cut from the rocky side of the River Coquet at Warkworth
 
Warkworth    NE65 0UJ  Tel: 01665 711423