Hulne Priory

Sitting in the grounds of Hulne Park is Hulne Priory, also known as Hulne Friary or Hulne Abbey. (Crumbs that's a lot of Hulnes for one sentence!)

It was founded by a group of lads in 1240 known as the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. Fortunately their nickname was the much shorter Carmelites.

Although it was dissolved in 1539, by which time the church and buildings were demoilished or ruined, it is said that it's probably one of the best and earliest friary of the order in England and has remains of the only surviving Carmelite infirmary.

It's a lovely place to explore and if you are doing the longer loop, then this is just around the halfway mark. So a good time to have your picnic. Don't forget to share with the stone statues of friars standing watch over the ruins who probably haven't eaten in a few hundred years.

Although a place of worship the priory has a defensive pele tower and a surrounding wall due to the it being near the border and at risk of attack from the Scots.

During excavsations in 1888 part of an Anglo-Saxon cross-shaft was discovered and is now located in Alnwick Castle Museum.

Towards the end of the walk don't forget to make a detour to see the spectacular and very gothic Brizlee Tower.

Also, did you know that the priory was a filming location for the classic TV programme Robin of Sherwood (wow that's a blast from the past!) with Michael Praed where it doubled for Kirklees Abbey. Later it was Maid Marian's home in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.