Plan your visit to Hexham Abbey with North East Escapes. Discover the Saxon crypt and medieval church in the heart of Hexham, and find nearby holiday homes. |
Visit Hexham Abbey, Northumberland's Saxon Jewel
Hexham Abbey in the heart of the market town of Hexham is one of the oldest and finest ecclesiastical buildings in the North of England, with origins stretching back to the seventh century and architectural layers ranging from Anglo-Saxon to medieval. The crypt beneath the abbey is the oldest intact Saxon structure in England, built by Saint Wilfrid around 674 AD using stone pillaged from the nearby Roman sites. For anyone interested in early medieval history or early Christian architecture, Hexham Abbey is a site of the first importance, and the combination of the great church with the attractive market town surrounding it makes for a very satisfying visit.
Hexham Abbey was founded by Saint Wilfrid, Bishop of York, who used stone from the Roman town of Corbridge to build what was described by his biographer as the finest church north of the Alps. The Saxon monastery was destroyed by Danish raids in 875 AD, and a new Augustinian priory was established on the site in 1113. The current building dates largely from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries, with the Early English quire, completed around 1240, being of particular architectural distinction. The nave was rebuilt only in 1907 by the architect Temple Moore, so the church presents an unusual mix of medieval and Edwardian architecture. The Border History Museum in the abbey grounds tells the story of the violent borderlands between England and Scotland.
The Saxon crypt is accessible by guided tour and is simply extraordinary, a complete early eighth-century underground chamber built from Roman stone whose lettering and carved details are still clearly visible. The crypt was used to house relics and for the ceremony of ordination. The abbey nave and quire above are filled with exceptional medieval and earlier stonework, including the Acca Cross, the Night Stairs by which monks descended from their dormitory to the church for nocturnal offices, and the remarkable frith stool, a seventh-century stone throne of great antiquity. The Border History Museum in the gatehouse provides context for the turbulent history of this frontier region. The market town of Hexham, with its excellent shops, cafés and restaurants, completes a very enjoyable day.
Hexham Abbey is located at Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3NB, in the town centre. Hexham is on the Newcastle to Carlisle railway line, making it easily accessible by rail. Entry to the abbey is free. Guided tours of the crypt run at specified times and a small charge applies. The abbey is open daily and has a café in the adjacent building. Hexham's market takes place on Tuesdays and is worth timing a visit around.
North East Escapes has a lovely range of holiday homes in the Hexham and Tyne Valley area, perfect for visitors combining the abbey with Hadrian's Wall, the Allen Valleys, Vindolanda and the scenic Northumberland uplands. Hexham is an excellent base for exploring the central section of Hadrian's Wall, with Chesters Roman Fort, Housesteads and Vindolanda all within 20 minutes by car. Our Tyne Valley holiday homes are ideal for history and walking enthusiasts wanting to explore one of the richest archaeological landscapes in the country.
