Lanercost Priory (English Heritage)
Type: Historic places
Telephone: 01697 73030
Contact information
Cumbria CA8 2HQ
Telephone: 01697 73030
Facilities and additional information
Standing close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Augustinian priory of Lanercost was much involved in the Anglo-Scottish wars. During his last campaign in 1306-7 the mortally sick Edward I rested here for six months, before dying at Burgh-by-Sands as he prepared to enter Scotland. The abbey suffered terribly from Scottish raids, being sacked at least four times. It was finally dissolved by Henry VIII in 1537, but today its beautiful 13th-century church remains remarkably well-preserved, standing to its full height: part is now in use as the parish church. See the unique 16th-century wallpaintings in the Dacre Hall.