Northumberland Abbeys and Monasteries Gazetteer

This impressive two story stone gatehouse is all that remains of Alnwick Abbey, a 12th century abbey of Premonstratensian monks, founded by Eustace Fitz-John. The gatehouse itself was built in the 14th century by the De Vescy family, whose coat of arms can be seen over the barrel-vaulted arch through the gatehouse. It can only be accessed on foot, following signposted paths through Hulne Park, hunting grounds owned by the Dukes of Northumberland (see Alnwick Castle entry).
Hulne Park, Alnwick, Northumberland, England

Attraction Type: Abbey
Location: Park along the verge of Ratten Row, off the B6346 Wooler road. Access by footpath across Hulne Park. No visitor facilities.
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OS Grid NU177140
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English Heritage calls this site the "finest example of early Gothic architecture in Northumberland". Located in a heavily wooded valley.
Rothbury, Northumberland, England

Attraction Type: Abbey
Location: 4 m SE of Rothbury, off B6334
Website: Brinkburn Priory
Phone: 01665 570628
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OS Grid NZ 116983
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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Hulne Priory, was founded as a daughter house of xx in 1240 by Carmelite monks. The priory was destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII, but considerable parts of the monastic buildings remain intact. Among the remains are scattered Victorian sculptures of monks praying. After the priory was dissolved the property fell to the Percy family, Dukes of Northumberland, and the priory buildings now stand amidst Hulne Park, used by the Dukes as a hunting park. A very short walk away is Alnwick Abbey Gatehouse, the only surviving part of a 12th century Premonstratensian abbey.
Hulne Park, Alnwick, Northumberland, England

Attraction Type: Abbey
Location: From Alnwick take Ratten Row, off the B6346 Wooler road. Limited parking along the verge for foot access to Hulne Park. Public access to the park is permitted, but there are no visitor facilities.
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OS Grid NU164157
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One of the first outposts of Christianity in England. Founded by St. Aidan in the 7th century. The exquisite Lindisfarne Gospels, illuminated here about 698 AD, are now in the British Library. St. Cuthbert was bishop here, and when miracles were reported at his shrine in the 8th century, Lindisfarne became a centre of pilgrimage. The Vikings heard of the monastery's wealth, and sacked the place in 793. Eventually the monks fled Viking persecution, and it was not until the 12th century that the priory was re-established, and it is the ruins of that building that you can see today.
Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England, TD15 2RX

Attraction Type: Abbey
Location: Holy Island can only be reached at low tide across a causeway. Tide tables are posted at each end of the causeway and are printed in local newspapers.
Website: Lindisfarne Priory
Phone: 01289 389 200
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OS Grid NU126 419
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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