Blanchlands Abbey

**cessna152towser** · 29th May 07, 01:42 PM

Blanchland Abbey is one of the best preserved 13th century abbeys in the North of England. After England's King Henry VIII dissolved the monastery in 1532, the abbey passed via the Forsters of Bamburgh Castle to Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham, who founded a charitable trust to maintain the abbey and its associated buildings, many of which are now let out for other uses, with the profits being used to support Church of England clergy and their community work throughout North-east England.

This medieval gatehouse is to be found at the entrance to the courtyard.

Inside the Courtyard

The gatehouse is now used as a Post Office.

Meanwhile the Monks' Lodge has become a hotel.

The courtyard is nowadays surrounded by residential properties and shops in keeping with the original character of the abbey's outbuildings.

A school was later developed just outside the abbey gates but has now
become a coffee shop

And now we will take a look at the L-shaped abbey church itself.

**cessna152towser** · 29th May 07, 01:49 PM

Blanchlands Abbey has some fine leaded glass and stained glass windows.

There is a burial ground surrounding the church.

The main door beckons so lets take a look inside.

This is the view to our right as we enter.
A place for prayer and quiet contemplation.

Looking back towards the door from the apex of the L

This section of the abbey is still used for Sunday services.

The altar

Visitors are invited to donate twenty pence and light a candle.

Two candles duly purchased and lit
One on the left for Dreadbelly and Jadewink that Jade may continue to make a good recovery from her surgery.
One on the right for my dear wife Ann that she may regain improved mobility.

**McClef** · 29th May 07, 02:00 PM

Lovely photographs Alex and lovely sentiments which I echo.

**McMurdo** · 29th May 07, 02:30 PM

Wonderful photos Alex and a lovely gesture lighting the candles, thank you for another excellent post. I sincerely hope both Ann and Jadewink are doing better soon.

**Dreadbelly** · 29th May 07, 02:37 PM

Great. Now she's crying.

And I got something in my eye, dog hair I think.

**CelticRanger66** · 29th May 07, 03:17 PM

Nice pictures and great thoughts!

**andyfg** · 29th May 07, 06:06 PM

Alex, again happy memories for me. Lived for 11 years at Stocksfield, not far from Blanchland. Thanks.

**Kiltman** · 29th May 07, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the pics they're wonderful.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 29th May 07, 08:19 PM

As always, great photos. And, a pretty touching gesture there at the end...

**Dirk Skene** · 29th May 07, 09:35 PM

Old Christian Churches fasinate me. There are a few here in the U.S. that slightly resemble that. They were buit by the Benedictines over 100 years ago.

Thanks for the tour.