Hexham Abbey

This abbey is the origin of the town of Hexham and it was erected in 674 AD as a gift from the Queen Etheldreda to the Bishop of York, Wilfrid.

This abbey was dedicated to Saint Andrew, something common in religious buildings south of Hadrian's Wall and that probably explains the link between this saint and the Scottish nation.

It has been in continuous operation for over 1300 years, first belonging to the Catholic church and then to the Church of England, after the reform done by King Henry VIII. In 1537 local authorities proposed that monks convert to the new religion which prevented the burning of the building and assumed its change of state, local abbey church.