The real bonus on our day out to Hadrian’s Wall was our visit to Hexham Abbey, squeezed into an hour between our train arriving in Hexham and the bus leaving to take us to the Wall. We have tried to visit this abbey before, but have always been prevented from seeing the interior and taking photos because there has been a wedding or other special event taking place.
No such misfortune on this trip, and the interior was well worth the long wait to get in there!
There has been a church on this site over for 1300 years since Queen Etheldreda made a grant of lands to Wilfrid, Bishop of York c.674AD. The Saxon crypt and apse from this period still remain. In Norman times Wilfrid’s abbey was replaced by an Augustinian priory: the church you see today is mainly that building of about 1170-1250, in the Early English style of architecture. The choir, north and south transepts and the cloisters date from this period.
The east end was rebuilt in 1860 and the nave, whose walls incorporate some of the earlier church, was built in 1908. In 1996 an additional chapel was created at the east end of the north choir aisle. Named ‘St Wilfrid’s Chapel’, it offers a place for prayer or quiet reflection.
Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537 the Abbey has been the parish church of Hexham and today still holds regular services and is well known for its music.
This shot was taken from a staircase in the south transept looking through a massive arch, past the organ and into the north transept. The scale of the arch can be seen from the size of the figure of a man in the bottom left corner.
Thank you Richard - this was an excellent way to spend an hour. Not only is it a beautiful building, but also there are some beautiful artefacts to see, including ancient carved stones, painted panels, and super wood carvings.
Thank you Molly - I agree, the lighting in these buildings can be problematic, but somehow in this abbey the light seems to fill the place, so a bit easier than normal!
Thank you Graham, glad you like it!
Ian
Thank you Dianne - a convenient set of stairs which were once formed the night stairs for the monks gave me some height to get this shot.
Ian
Thank you Padlock - a convenient set of stairs which were once formed the night stairs for the monks gave me some height to get this shot.
Ian
Thank you Tony, this was a very impressive building and we were pleased to get into it at last.
Ian
Thank you Pete - it's a beautiful building with a lot to see (and photograph!)
Ian
Thank you Richard - this was an excellent way to spend an hour. Not only is it a beautiful building, but also there are some beautiful artefacts to see, including ancient carved stones, painted panels, and super wood carvings.
Ian
Thank you Bob - the light really fills this building in a beautiful way. This is a very special building
Ian
Thank you Ivan - the monks night staircase gave me the height to get this shot.
Ian
Thank you Lynne, this is a wonderful construction, and the building skills shown are complemented by the amazingly detailed carvings and paintings.
Ian
Thank you Hazel - if you are passing through Hexham, it's well worth looking in this beautiful building!
Ian
Thank you Ferry - we were pleased to get into this lovely building at last. It is a really attractive and interesting place!
Ian
Thank you Molly - I agree, the lighting in these buildings can be problematic, but somehow in this abbey the light seems to fill the place, so a bit easier than normal!
Ian
Thank you Margaret, glad you like it!
Ian
Thank you Brian, glad you like it!
Ian
Thank you Therese- it was really nice to finally get into this church for a look round!
Ian