St Cuthbert

Built in about 1165AD shortly after Norham Castle was erected as a defence against the Scots. Body of St Cuthbert brought here by the monks from Holy Island when fleeing from the Vikings. Splendid priest desk, choir stalls and lectern. Five genuine Romanesque windows in six bay chancel. Walk in the footsteps of JMW Turner by visiting the church then walking to the castle along the riverside. 

St Cuthbert's is a 'must' if you are visiting north Northumberland and/or the Scottish Borders, a beautiful unspoiled part of the UK. Norham is the place where St Aidan crossed the River Tweed on the way from Iona to establish his monastery at Holy Island in 635AD.

The stone church has witnessed many historic events. It's where John Balliol paid homage to King Edward I of England for the kingdom of England in 1292. In 1320, Robert the Bruce occupied and fortified the church while besieging Norham Castle. The east end of the church was damaged during this occupation and replaced in 1340. The church was roofless for about 100 years from 1513 (Battle of Flodden Field) to 1619, but is thought to have remained a place of worship during that period. The church was restored by the parishioners, and extensive further works of repair were carried out in the middle of the 19th century.

The east bay of the chancel was added in the early 14th century, the west tower in 1837, and the south porch and aisle by Bonomi in 1846. The six bay chancel boasts five genuine and high quality Romanesque windows. There is a very large graveyard where it is said that King Ceolwulf (a King of Northumbria who became a monk) is buried, as is Piper Laidlaw of Loos. A record of the inscriptions on all the gravestones and where they can be found is kept within the church and is available for inspection by visitors.

The church has a splendid priest's desk, pulpit, choir stalls and coat of arms from Durham Cathedral, dating from 1660AD, and also a substantial brass lectern said to be an accurate copy of the lectern in Southwell Cathedral.

Norham is a beautiful, quiet village nestling near the banks of the River Tweed just a few yards form the England/Scotland border, but with a remarkably turbulent history. The church has played a central role in that history, and is a truly remarkable place, with a unique spiritual atmosphere.