Hulne Priory facts for kids
Hulne Priory is an ancient building in Northumberland, England. It was once a home for a group of religious people called friars. These friars were part of an order known as the Carmelites, also called 'Whitefriars'.
The priory was started in the year 1240. People say its location, near Alnwick, was picked because it looked a bit like Mount Carmel. This is a place where the Carmelite order first began. Today, you can still see many parts of the old priory. Stone statues of friars, carved in the 1700s, watch over the ruins.
Life was not always peaceful near the border with Scotland. Because of this, Hulne Priory had strong walls around it. In the 1400s, a special tower called a pele tower was even built for defense. Later, during a time known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the powerful Percy family took over the priory. This was when many religious buildings in England were closed down.
Exploring Hulne Park
Hulne Priory is located inside a huge, walled area called Hulne Park. This park covers thousands of acres and belongs to the Duke of Northumberland. It is very close to Alnwick Castle.
Originally, Hulne Park was a place for hunting. The Duke still uses it for shooting today. But it also has many different parts. You can find thick woods, open moorland, and wide grassy fields. The main farm for Alnwick is also located here.
Besides the priory, other interesting buildings are in the park. There is a gatehouse from the old Alnwick Abbey. You can also see Brizlee Tower, which is a tall viewing tower. It was built in the 1780s in a style called Gothic Revival.
Visiting the Priory and Park
Hulne Park is open to the public, but it's not like a regular tourist spot. It doesn't have shops or visitor centers. You can only enter the park on foot from the Alnwick side.
You are welcome to walk around and see the ruins of Hulne Priory. However, Brizlee Tower is usually not open for visitors to go inside.
Hulne Priory in Films
Hulne Priory has been used as a location for movies and TV shows. It appeared in the HTV series Robin of Sherwood. In that show, it pretended to be Kirklees Abbey.
Later, the priory was used in the 1991 movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. In this film, it was shown as the home of Maid Marian.
Sometimes, people even get married at Hulne Priory. It is also used for live performances on special occasions.
