Escomb Saxon Church — Attraction in England

A little gem of history about one and a half miles off the A68 is well worth a visit. It's dated around 660 AD and listed as the oldest complet Saxon church in the UK. It has an amazing atmosphere and can be accessed by a visit to house number 28 (directly behind the church) where the church keys hang outside the front door. No need to knock take and use them return when you have experience the amazing atmosphere inside. There are a number of interesting features and architectural treats. Sorry I didn't take any photos inside but I felt it wasn't appropriate at the time as this is very much a living church and folks were inside praying. The church is at the end of the village in a walled are that has a circular road around it. Drive carefully as houses surround the road and church and the village school has to be passed on the way in. There is a small car park on the right hand side as you approach the church, the entrance is quite tight. Access by less able folk is reasonable with a slight walk up an incline and reasonably smooth paths to the church door. Its not a tourist trap and so I don't believe there are any facilities but you can donate via card at a machine by the entrance. Well worth a detour if you are in the...

When you first look at this church it looks, well basic, and nothing that's going to hold your attention for more than a few minutes. Perhaps looking nothing special is what saved it from old Henry VIII ☺.

There is nothing basic about this church, infact its a rare surviving gem in so many ways. It is thought to date from around 675AD and to have been built from stones nicked, I of course mean re-cycled 😆, from the Roman Fort of Binchester which is a short distance away. Certainly from my observations a good number of stones look roman even though they have been messed around with.

Take the time to look up at the rare surviving Medieval wall paintings and the stone cross behind the alter, this cross is believed to pre - date the church. Check out the graveyard, numerous grave markers dating back to the 1600's.

This is a working Church and is open daily from 9am until 8pm, week days. To gain access to the church you need to collect the keys from number 28 Saxon Green, its only a short walk from the Church ☺.

If you have visited Binchester Roman Fort, a short walk from the town, then this is where some of the stonework ended up. This church is well worth a visit...

What a beautiful place! Built during the Saxon period and open all the time accessed by a key kept outside a nearby house. Please read the signage outside the churchyard to find out which house. Once inside there are lots of information cards about its origins, to the present date. There are information books to buy if you choose to do so and honesty boxes for this and donations. Many Saxon artifacts and vestiges from the period if you are interested. We thoroughly enjoyed it.....and a drink at the Saxon Inn...