Finchale
Abbey (pronounced Finkle) is a 13th-century Benedictine Priory by
the River Wear in Durham. The priory is grade I listed and managed by the
English Heritage. As with most priories and abbeys, Finchale was dissolved in
1536 by my 14 times great-grandfather, Henry VIII.
The
car park is £3, whether you stay for an hour or all day. Dating back to 1196, many of the abbey ruins are still intact and quite impressive as you wander round.
The ruins in the picture below reminded me of those at Fountains Abbey.
After
exploring the abbey, we crossed the bridge over the River Wear and walked along
the woodland footpath alongside the river. There are two paths – one leading
through woodland and the other that would eventually take you to nearby Durham
(although it’s a good 5-mile walk!)
