Photographs of Hexham Abbey

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Hexham Abbey originated as a Benedictine monastery founded by Saint Wilfrid (Bishop of York) in 674. The crypt of the original monastery survives and incorporates many stones taken from nearby Roman ruins. In Norman times, Wilfrid's abbey was replaced by an Augustinian priory. The current church largely dates from that period (c.1170–1250). The choir, north and south transepts and the cloisters date from this period. In most abbeys, there is the remains of the original night stairs to the Monk's dormitory. Here the stairs still exist (see bottom left). The east end was rebuilt in 1860. The Abbey was renovated around 1900 and this involved re-building the nave incorporating some of the earlier church and the restoration of the choir. The nave was re-consecrated on 8 August, 1908. The organ was replaced about 40 years ago.