List of monastic houses in County Durham facts for kids

County Durham, located in the northeast of England, is home to many historical sites, including the remains of old monasteries, priories, and nunneries. These places were once busy homes for groups of monks, nuns, or friars who dedicated their lives to religious study and prayer. They played a big role in the history and culture of the area, often serving as centers for learning, charity, and farming.

Monastic houses were religious communities where people lived under specific rules. Monks were men, and nuns were women. Friars were also men, but they often lived among people in towns and cities, rather than in isolated monasteries. These communities were usually led by an abbot (for an abbey) or a prior (for a priory).

Alien houses are included, as are smaller establishments such as cells and notable monastic granges (particularly those with resident monks), and also camerae of the military orders of monks (Knights Templars and Knights Hospitaller). Monastic hospitals are included where they had the status or function of an abbey, priory, friary or preceptor/commandery.

Abbreviations and key

Locations with names in italics indicate possible duplication (misidentification with another location) or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented) or ecclesiastical establishments with a monastic name but lacking actual monastic connection.

Monastic Houses in County Durham

Here is a list of some of the important monastic houses that existed in County Durham, organized alphabetically.

Foundation	Image	Community Type and History	Formal Name or Other Names
Barnard Castle Friary (?)		Augustinian Friars This friary was planned in 1381, but it might never have been built. If it was, it probably closed very quickly.
Baxterwood Priory		Augustinian Canons Regular Founded around 1180, this priory was likely moved from a place called Haswell. It closed in 1196, and its lands were taken over by Finchale Priory.	Priory Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Baxterwood Bactanesford Priory
Bradbury Cell		Benedictine monks This was a small religious house, or "cell," that belonged to a larger monastery in Yorkshire. It was founded in the 12th century.
Clare Abbey, Darlington		Franciscan nuns Founded in 1857, these nuns later moved to Herefordshire.	The Abbey Church of Saint Clare, Darlington
Durham Cathedral Priory		Secular canons (priests who followed certain rules but weren't monks) first lived here, starting around 997. Later, in 1093, Benedictine monks took over. This important priory closed in 1539.	The Abbey Church of Saint Mary and Saint Cuthbert at Durham The Cathedral Church of Christ and Blessed Mary the Virgin, Durham
Durham Greyfriars		Franciscan Friars Minor These friars were established before 1239. They later moved to Hartlepool.	Hartlepool Friary
Durham — St Anthony's Priory		Minoresses (a type of Franciscan nun) This community was founded at a former church building and is still active today.	St Antony's Priory, Durham
Ebchester Nunnery		Nuns This nunnery was founded before 660 by Saint Ebba. It was destroyed around 875 during raids by the Danes.	St Ebbas Nunnery
Egglestone Abbey		Premonstratensian Canons Founded between 1190 and 1195, this abbey was a "daughter house" of Easby Abbey in Yorkshire. It closed on January 5, 1540. The buildings were later turned into a house and cottages.	The Blessed Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist Egleston Abbey
Finchale Priory		Benedictine monks This priory started as a hermitage (a place for a religious hermit) around 1115. It became a priory linked to Durham Cathedral in 1196 and closed in 1538.	The Blessed Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist St John the Baptist and St Godric
Gateshead House		Monks Founded before 653, this community was abandoned when the monks left for Ireland.
Hartlepool — St Hilda's Monastery		Probably a community of both monks and nuns Founded around 640 by Hieu (possibly Saint Bega), this monastery was likely destroyed around 800.	St Hilda's Monastery
Hartlepool Greyfriars		Franciscan Friars Minor These friars moved here from Durham before 1240 and their friary closed in 1538.
Hartlepool Friary?		Dominican Friars This is likely a mistake and refers to the Franciscan Friary mentioned above.
Haswell Grange		Benedictine monks This was an endowment (a gift of land or money) that was later transferred to Baxterwood. It became a "grange," which is like a farm belonging to a monastery, under Finchale Priory.
Jarrow Priory	This priory is now located in Tyne and Wear, a different historical county.
Jarrow Friar?	This is also located in Tyne and Wear.
Neasham Priory		Benedictine nuns Founded before 1156, this priory closed between 1539 and 1540. A house called 'Neasham Abbey' was built near the site in the 19th century.	St Mary Nesham Priory; Nesseham Priory
Norton Monastery?		The local St Mary's Church has parts of a church built around 1000. While there's no clear record of a monastery, its size suggests it was more than just a regular church.
Owton Priory		Gilbertine Canons A charter from 1204 mentions this priory, but it was probably never fully established. It might have been a grange (monastery farm).	St Mary Oveton in Hartness Priory;Owton in Harness Priory
Samford Priory?		Benedictine monks This is likely a confusion with Stamford Priory in Lincolnshire.
South Shields Monastery		Saxon monks and nuns Founded in 648 by Saint Aidan for Saint Hilda. It was likely destroyed around 865–875.	Wherhale Monastery?; Wyrale Monastery
Wearmouth Abbey	This abbey is now located in Tyne and Wear, a different historical county since 1974.

See also

• List of monastic houses in England