Beaurepaire Priory

If you ever fancied visiting a “beautiful retreat” then Beaurepaire Priory translates to the perfect destination.

Back in 1258, Bertram de Middleton was the Prior Of Durham and needed some new digs in order to spend his retirement, but also fancy enough to entertain visiting royalty including three King Edwards. Although well known as Beaurepaire Priory it was actually a manor house.

The priory was damaged by the Scottish army on their way to defeat at the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346, but Prior John Fossor ordered repairs and further extensions were made over the next 300 years.

The priory also served a secondary purpose of providing a retreat for the Durham Monks similar to Finchale Priory.

Unfortunately the priory was badly damaged again by the Scots during the English Civil in the 1640s and has remained ruinous.

It's a sensational little find and right up our street at the Fabulous North.

It's a cinch to find if you know the way. From the layby follow the track keeping the stream to your right. Once you get to the little bridge, Beaupaire Priory is straight ahead up that little rise. There is a track to follow and then you will arrive at this style with an information board.

It's 1km to get there and all on track until you get to the little rise it sits on.

Also for some lovely illustrations of what the priory would have looked like in its heyday head over to the Durham Cow website.