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Lanercost Priory near Hadrian's Wall, Cumbria

One of the loveliest medieval sites around, Lanercost Priory was built for the Augustinian monks who were also responsible for the construction of Hexham Abbey. It is still a living active church where music festivals are regularly held. Spectacularly located on the bend in the meandering Irthing river, the Irthing valley side dips down to level out in a flat placid, green valley of great beauty.

Lanercost Abbey Hadrian's Wall

The abbey itself, two-thirds of which now remains since the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII, boasts stunning coloured pink stone. Lanercost Priory's surrounding monastic buildings, once extensive, are now partly ruined, but the remains of the refectory basement gives a clear indication of how it looked bordering the cloisters where the monks walked and contemplated.

Lanercost Priory History

It was Lanercost that King Edward I, ill and old, came to winter over in the only walled building in the area during the campaign against the Scots. This area was regularly the scene of conflict between Robert the Bruce of Scotland and the English Kings. Lanercost's deterioration from the sixteenth century is regrettable but does not detract from the splendour and wonderfully grand atmosphere.

Lanercost Priory English Heritage Site on Hadrian's Wall

This is an English Heritage site with a small shop. Landercost Priory is well worth visiting if you are staying at our bed and breakfast accommodation, especially as it is only 10 minutes drive away from us, following Hadrian's Wall east, towards Carlisle.