If you're looking for an engaging, fun and free day out for the family, a visit to Hexham Abbey could be the perfect solution. There is plenty to keep children occupied and adults inspired, and you are assured of a warm welcome. Here are some ideas for your perfect day out...
With its 1,300 years of history, the Abbey has lots of stories to tell - stories that will entertain and intrigue adults and children alike. We have tried to make the history of the Abbey as accessible as possible to children by providing their own visitor guide to have and keep whilst looking around - providing fun facts and activities to do at the same time. We aim to be accessible and fun to all ages and everyone, no matter what age, is welcomed to visit us. We are very much an Abbey and Heritage Venue and not a museum, your children are welcome to touch and engage with the artefacts around the Abbey. If you are lucky enough to grab a Verger or a Steward, ask them to tell you a fun secret about the Abbey - it is full of them!
Details of services we offer can be found on the above link. Sunday morning Eucharist offers activities and a 'Sunday School' style Cloister Club for children to attend if parents wish to worship and for children to be kept busy, learning about the same gospel they will be. All our Cloister Club leaders are enhanced DBS checked and children are kept on Abbey grounds at all times. Just speak to a sidesperson when you arrive if you would like your child/ren to join in with Cloister Club activities
Our exhibition centre provides an area for little hands to get involved in learning about the history of the Abbey with interactive displays, lights, sounds and video demonstrations as well as hands on activities and dressing up. The exhibition spans across two rooms, ensuring there is something for everyone. The Big Story Exhibition leads onto the Refectory Café, a perfect way to end a visit to Hexham Abbey.
The Refectory Café provides indoor and outdoor space for your family to rest and refresh after your visit. The outdoor area provides a large, open, grassy area in Prior Leschmann’s Garden, perfect for little ones to let off some steam whilst you relax. The menu aims to cater to all tastes with daily specials and soup of the day. All the food is made on site using fresh, local ingredients and the cakes are baked fresh each morning.
Tots’ Praise is aimed at families with younger children who would like to introduce them to the theme of Christianity from a young age. Tots’ Praise describe themselves as a happy gathering of 0-5 year olds who meet for stories, song, crafty activities and chat. Christianity is introduced in an accessible way, learning to pray by sending ‘bubble prayers’ up into the Abbey and teaching Christian values through stories; making learning about Christianity fun. Tots’ Praise is free to attend and you are welcome to come along on Wednesday mornings at 9.30am where we promise you will be welcomed with open arms.
If you’re looking for Sunday afternoon activities for your everyone to enjoy with an introduction to the Christian faith, then Messy Church could be what you are looking for. Messy Church aims to provide creativity, friendship, stories and most importantly – messy fun! Messy Church is aimed at children and adults to enjoy together and children must be accompanied by an adult. Each session has a different theme based around a gospel story or theme that aligns with the Christian faith – to find out the upcoming theme click here. Previous themes have included 'self-confidence', 'angels' and 'goodness and generosity'.
Messy Church is at 3pm on the 3rd Sunday of every month.
Once you've explored Hexham Abbey, why not see what else Hexham has to offer? See the Explore Hexham page for lots of information about all the exciting, family-friendly activities this lovely ancient market town has to offer.