CountyDurhamEDMUNDBYERSStEdmund(trevorlittlewoodCC-BY-SA2.0)1 TrevorLittlewood

St Edmund

Our small stone church has an interesting history, a peaceful churchyard and attractive views.

Edmundbyers, County Durham

Opening times

Open 9am to 5pm (approximately) Monday to Saturday.

Address

Church Lane
Edmundbyers
County Durham
DH8 9NQ

St Edmund's was built around 1150 possibly on the site of an earlier church. It is tucked away on the western edge of the village with views over the fells from the churchyard. This is a peaceful spot with mature trees and plentiful birdlife. There is evidence of Saxon architecture in the walls of the church, which is Grade II listed. However. the building was heavily restored in Victorian times by the Revd Walker Featherstonhaugh who was vicar for nearly 50 years. While this meant the loss of many traditional features, like the pulpit and musicians gallery, it exposed others and ensured that the building survived. Two Saxon type grave covers are built into the walls of the porch and the oldest gravestone in the churchyard is also Grade II listed. An unusual feature is the stone altar, hidden by the parishioners when such church furniture was banned by Archbishop Crindal in 1571 and reinstated when the building was restored. Some of the stained glass windows are also unusual and the vestry at the west end of the nave is built of a mixture of materials from religious buildings around the country.

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Parking within 250m

  • On street parking at church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Café within 500m

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Church of England

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A casualty of Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries, the only remaining part of the 12th century Premonstratensian Blanchland Abbey is part of the abbey church which today serves the parish of Blanchland.

St Mary

Blanchland, Northumberland

Blanchland got its name from the white habits worn by monks of the Premonstratensian order who founded Blanchland Abbey.