Abbeys, Priories & Churches

English Christianity was born in 7th century Northumberland, leaving a magnificent legacy of abbeys, priories and churches nestled in unspoilt countryside, picturesque towns and villages and stunning coastal settings. Each marks a distinct phase of church history and architecture, from Dark Age transformation through to icons of medieval monastic life and Reformation England.

Highlights include, Lindisfarne Priory, Northumberland's oldest, dating from 635AD, cut off from the tides twice a day on The Holy Island of Lindisfarne and accessible only by causeway. Lindisfarne Heritage Centre tells the stories of St Aidan, St Cuthbert and St Bede and displays the 8th century Lindisfarne Gospels in electronic form.

The Commonwealth period of Oliver Cromwell is well illustrated at the unique Berwick Parish Church, built in 1650 on his orders as 'a plain preaching box' with no steeple, stained glass or decoration. Stained glass was eventually inserted in 1855, but no tower was ever constructed, so Berwick's bells are still rung from its town hall.

Inland, the beautiful market town of Hexham, the heart of Hadrian's Wall Country, has had a church since 674AD when Queen Etheldreda granted lands to Wilfrid, Bishop of York to build a Benedictine abbey. The 12th Century Saxon crypt still remains in Hexham Abbey, dating from its conversion to an Augustinian Priory. Brinkburn Priory, east of Rothbury, is another Augustine relic, founded in 1130AD and lying on the beautiful banks of River Coquet. Today's 19th century reconstruction provides a peaceful haven. Down river, Warkworth Hermitage is a marvellous example of 14th century Gothic architecture with a curious altar-tomb featuring a female effigy.