Andrew Wainwright Walks Northumberland & Beyond
RELIGIOUS PLACES
Brainshough Priory
Location and Access
You can see the remains of the Priory looking east from the gate to the field located on the southern border just before the bridge over the river. Access is strictly not allowed but it’s only over a farm gate and a couple of hundred meters into the field. The field is more frequented by sheep than people so the chance of being detected is slim, not that I'm advocating tresspassing but there seems little harm in this situation.
History
Also known as Guyzance Priory it was founded in 1147 by Richard Tison for nuns belonging to the Premonstratensian order. The priory had fallen out of use by 1500. Building work from the 12th and 14th century are still evident as well as a medieval grave cover. If you look at a satellite view you can see earthworks of the other priory buildings.
Brinkburn Priory
Location and Access
Signposted from Rothbury and Longframlington, Brinkburn Priory is easy to find. Nestled in the meander of the river Coquet it is just a 10 minute walk from the free car park. The opening times and prices can be found on the English Heritage website.
History
This is a fully restored 12th century Augustinian Priory owned for centuries by the Fenwick family. The priory church is the only remaining structure built by the monks. Built before 1135 it was dissolved in 1536 by parliament. The Manor house was built in the 16th century by the Fenwicks. Restoration of the church began in 1858 after it fell into ruin before 1700 and completed in 1864. What you see today is a sympathetic 19th century restoration of the medieval original. Brinkburn has featured on “Most Haunted” on TV and legend tells that the church bell is in the river somewhere. During the summer season they will host concerts and choruses that you can purchase tickets to through the English Heritage site linked above.
Hulne Priory & Alnwick Abbey (See Also Brizlee Tower & Hulne Park)
Location and Access
In the heart of Alnwick the park is secluded and relatively unknown. There are no signs but from the entrance to Alnwick Castle follow the road North West and when you get to the church where the road goes downhill take the left hand fork. You’ll come to the gates of the park a few hundred meters down that road. You can park for free at the entrance but no bikes or dogs are allowed. The park is open until dusk or 1700 whichever is the later. There are several walks around the park, see also Brizlee Tower and Hulne Park found. The Priory is usually open and can be accessed through the smaller black door on the west side.
History
Hulne Priory was founded in the 13th century by the Carmelites, also known as the “White Friars” bound by their order to live in extreme poverty. The Pele Tower was built in the 15th century and combined with the curtain wall are signs of turbulent times on the Scottish border. The Percy family took control during the dissolution of the monasteries and founded Hulne Park as a hunting park. Hulne Priory was partially restored and remodeled during the Victorian revival. It was used for several scenes in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
Within the park on the bank of the river Aln you can still see the gatehouse which was the entrance to Alnwick Abbey. The Abbey was founded by the Premonstratensian monks in 1147. Only the gatehouse now remains, his was built during the 14th century.
Hulne Park Walks
Alnwick Abbey Gateway
Lady's Well
Location and Access
Not far from Sharperton and Harbottle this National Trust property is tucked away just off the road in a small cul-de-sac where you can find free parking.
History
Also known as “Ninian’s Well” because Saint Ninian is said to have baptised hundreds in its holy waters. The origins are speculated to go back even further however as it is located beside the line of an ancient Roman road with which the alignment of the well parallels.
Holystone became the home of a priory of Augustinian Canonesses in the 12th century but as with so many priories it was destroyed in the reform in 1541. Nothing remains of the priory but during their residence these nuns maintained and used the well.
Lindisfarne Priory
Location and Access
The most obvious point to mention is to check the tides before you travel! Get it wrong and you could be stuck for hours. Use this link to see latest times.
Leave the A1 to Beal and cross the causeway. It’s longer than you think and continue to the car park. It costs £2.40 for 3 hours, miss the tide or plan to stay all day and it’s £4.40. Cars are not permitted beyond the car park. There is a shuttle bus but the walk to the Priory is only a kilometre away. The Priory is an English Heritage site.
History
Holy Island has a recorded history from the sixth century. It was an important centre of Celtic Christianity under Saints Aidan its founder, Cuthbert patron saint of Northumberland, Eadfrith and Eadberht. After Viking invasions and the Norman invasion of England a priory was reestablished. A small castle was built upon it in 1550. Known famously as the place the Lindisfarne Gospels were illuminated.
To write a full or detailed account of Lindisfarne and its significance would take too long and many books have been written. It has also been immortalised on the big screen in Blackadder, Cold Feet and Vikings.
Elevated View
The Rainbow Arch
St Cuthbert
The view from the Chapel Ruins
Newminster Abbey
Location and Access
Leave the A1 onto the A192 or A197 to Morpeth, find your way to the B6343 following the river Wansbeck. Turn off onto the unnamed road behind Abbey Mills Farm and as you get to a bend there is a layby in which you can park for free. Cross the road and follow the foot trail for about 200m until you get to a right turn. Take it and walk for another 200m(ish) until you get to a large gate into the field on your left. In the middle there is a copse of trees concealing the remains of the Abbey. Strictly speaking it is on private land and access isn’t strictly permitted but I’ll leave that to your conscience…but it’s definitely worth visiting.
History
Though difficult to find at first, this is one of my favorite finds and well worth the visit. Once in the copse of trees the ruins sprawl and tumble amidst quiet foliage and creeping vines giving it an ethereal peaceful feel shielded from the outside world.
Founded in 1137 by Ranulph de Merlay, Lord of Morpeth and his wife. Newminster Abbey was a Cistercian abbey. It was raided and burned by Scottish reivers the year after its foundation and wasn’t rebuilt until 1180.
After the first wave of the dissolution in 1537 the estate was leased by the crown to the Grey family who used a lot of the stone for their own buildings.
