I have long had a fascination with Hexham Abbey, generated by countless years passing through Hexham then bypassing it on the way to and from Newcastle Airport from West Cumbria. Twenty plus years later I have finnally visited and been a touch disappointed. A church has existed on this site since the earliest days of the reconversion of England by Irish monks. The current church dates from 1170 - 1250, built in the Early English style. The chancel and two transepts are original but the nave was rebuilt in the mid 19th century after it had fallen into a state of near ruin. An eastern extension was added in the late 19th century. The Transepts and Quire are magnificent; the nave is somewaht disappointing. The 12th Century foundation was as an Augustinain Priory. I have been unable to discover the church earned the appellation of Abbey which would suggest a monastic foundation, presumably Benedictine, was created at some point. Wikipedia lists the Abbey as Benedictine in 1537 at its dissolution.