Hexham — Decode Wilfrid's Hidden Sanctuary

Your journey begins at Hexham Abbey, founded in 674 by Saint Wilfrid as a Benedictine priory. This Scheduled Monument was rebuilt after Viking destruction in 875 and 1070, becoming an Anglican parish church after the Reformation. Explore its 7th-century Saxon crypt, where fragments of reused Roman stones testify to the site's antiquity. The 42-meter high central tower, completed in the 15th century, dominates the Hexham landscape, an essential landmark for understanding Northumberland's heritage.

Inside Hexham Abbey, seek out the Frith Stool, a Saxon stone chair dated to around 750. This unique artifact, engraved with Celtic motifs, served as a seat for bishops and granted sanctuary to repentant criminals until 1820. Its presence is linked to Saint Acca, Bishop of Hexham from 709 to 732, who adorned the abbey with relics and treasures. It is here, on this 8th-century judgment throne, that you will discover the first clues of your quest, revealing buried secrets.

Leaving the abbey, you head towards Hexham Market Place, a historic square granted by royal charter in 1225 by Henry III. Active since the 12th century, it is surrounded by 17th and 18th-century buildings. Here you will discover the Shambles, a 14th-century covered butcher's market restored in 2018. This square, Hexham's medieval commercial center, offers you a perspective on the daily life that surrounded the abbey and guides you to the next stages of your exploration of North East England.

In the immediate vicinity of the Market Place, the Moot Hall, a Grade I listed building from the 15th century (around 1440), stands proudly. This three-story building, with its stone facade and 17th-century clock, served as a local courthouse until the 19th century and was the seat of the Northumberland Hundreds assemblies. Then, 300 meters from the Abbey, the Old Gaol awaits you. Built in 1330 by order of Edward III, it is England's oldest prison, once housing 4 cells for 16 prisoners and displaying medieval torture instruments, closed in 1824.

Your journey concludes by returning to Hexham Abbey and exploring Sele Park, a 2-hectare public park adjacent to the building. Here, you will find the remains of the 7th-century monastic precinct wall, crossed by the Hexham Burn stream. This interactive visit into Northumberland's heritage will have allowed you to trace the history of Hexham, from Saint Wilfrid to the medieval era, including its judicial institutions. You leave with an understanding of the historical layers that have shaped this North East England town, revealing the connections between the monuments and the figures who inhabited them.