Hexham Abbey is a historic church that was originally an abbey in Hexham, Northumberland.
Hexham Abbey
More than 1300 years ago, the land was the home of a Benedictine abbey established for St Wilfrid. The majority of the existing abbey dates from the 12th and 13th centuries, although elements of St Wilfrid’s original church’s underground corridors and apartments, including an Anglo-Saxon crypt, survive.
The Anglo-Saxon crypt is the most exciting attraction for those looking for the past. A steep stone stair down from the nave dates back 1,300 years, through apartments and tunnels that have been preserved from St Wilfrid’s original church.
There are many treasures to enjoy, such as a 7th century Saxon bishop’s throne, a 2000-year-old intact Roman tombstone, a fine Dark Age cross, the famous ‘Dance of Death’ 15th-century panel portraits, carved misericords, stunning Victorian stained glass, and the Medieval Night Stair, used by Augustinian monks.
The Hexham Chalice, a small copper and gold plated chalice used by Anglo Saxon missionaries for Holy Communion, is the centrepiece of our exhibition and tourist centre, The Big Story.
Explore even more exciting attractions with our Northumberland Travel Guide…