St. Mary’s, formally dedicated to St. Gregory is over 1200 years old and sometimes referred to as ‘The Cathedral of the Dales’.
“Nestled in the valley between Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle on the main A688, Staindrop has been described as “quite simply one of the prettiest villages in County Durham.” It stands as one of the gateways into Teesdale, with its long village greens making it a typical rural Durham village. The village is also one of great antiquity with some evidence of neolithic activity, but it gained importance in the time of King Canute when he gave his manor at Staindrop and its surrounding ‘appendages’ (hamlets and houses) to the newly founded priory at Durham Cathedral in 1031.”
“The church itself stands at what was once the Easternmost end of the village next to the Langley Beck, just past the magnificent Raby Castle.
It is a mediaeval gem, based on an 8th Century Saxon foundation with some of the earlier Saxon churches incorporated into the ‘newer’ building.”
The full history of St Mary’s can be found on the following link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/-cherrypie-/51985554810/in/dateposted-public/
i enjoyed this post, CP. i am always impressed and amazed with such structures that are over a thousand years old. i wonder if they have been considered for UNESCO listing?
There are so many hidden gems like this in England. They are always a pleasure to discover
Those Norman columns are amazing!
They have withstood the test of time.
I think you would enjoy a visit. It is free to visit