About
Finchale Priory stands in a wooded bend of the River Wear, where a retired sailor and merchant, St Godric, settled as a hermit after years of travelling. The priory founded here in 1196 became an outpost of Durham Cathedral and a retreat for its monks, surviving until the suppression of the monasteries in 1538. Among the ruins you can trace Godric's church and tomb alongside the later monastic buildings, giving this free site a history that rewards more than a quick photograph. Visitors enjoy the quiet riverside setting and the substantial remains, often making time for refreshments at the neighbouring tea room. Admission to the priory is separate from the privately managed car park, which charges for parking. Expect uneven surfaces and muddy patches, and follow any barriers around conservation work.
OpenPick a day for times and prices
Today, Wednesday 28 October
- Finchale Priory10:00 – 16:00
Free entry
Opening times may change at short notice.
Open daily 10:00-17:00 until 30 September 2026 and daily 10:00-16:00 from 1 October through 20 December. Follow local conservation closures. Check the official calendar for holiday and later dates.
Entry is free to everyone; no membership is required.
Accessibility: Parts of the ruins are uneven and muddy. Conservation work can temporarily close areas; detailed step-free access is not confirmed on the official page.
Parking: The neighbouring caravan park operates the visitor car park and charges £4. English Heritage does not manage it; no membership discount is confirmed.
Entry to the ruins is free. The neighbouring tea room has a Camino Ingles pilgrimage stamp; nearby facilities and parking are independently managed.
Photo: Admiralgary. CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Finchale_Priory_4.jpg. Resized for display.
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