Finchale Priory, England

While in northeast England near the town of Durham, we happened upon this delightful place simply because we were trying to find a place to camp for the night. It was unusually rainy with fields flooded sometimes up to the roadway. And it was getting dark. We ended up at the camping park called Finchale Abbey Touring Park. 

Our late November visit meant the weather was cold. And of course, we ran out of propane in the middle of the night. But, thank God, the camping park also sold propane. Yay!

We started our day by exploring the ruins of the priory. Built in 1196 originally as a hermitage by St. Godric, a reformed pirate, who retired here to live out his life in solitude. St. Godric lived to be 100 years old.

St. Godric was not totally isolated. Family members came to live nearby. In his latter, infirm years, monks came to live with and care for him. 

Arches, arches, everywhere arches . . . the Gothic kind. 

After St. Godric's death, Finchale became a place of pilgrimage for monks. Renovations were made over many years. This interior room with vaulted ceilings remains. A testament to the sturdiness of stone.

Additions were built, but then the priory fell into decay. In the early 1900s, Finchale was rediscovered and placed in state guardianship. It has since been maintained so that visitors can explore the priory's grounds alongside the River Wear. We felt that it was yet another unexpected and delightful surprise to add to our list of adventures.