Escomb Church

Escomb Church is a church building from Anglo-Saxon times with thick stone walls and five small windows looking out along its long nave. The interior is simple and plain, with minimal decoration and a basic layout that reflects early Christian worship practices.

This church was built around 675 AD during the Northumbrian Kingdom and stands as one of England's oldest. Builders reused stones from the nearby Roman fort of Vinovia, showing how communities recycled materials from the past.

This church represents one of the few surviving examples of how early English Christians worshipped and gathered together in their communities. The simple interior and basic layout show what religious life looked like in Northumbrian times.

The church is open to visitors throughout the year and welcomes people during regular services and informal visits. It sits west of Bishop Auckland in County Durham and is easy to reach on foot or by car.

A rare 7th-century sundial sits on the south wall, showing how people tracked the time of day in ancient times. Even more unusual is an upside-down Roman stone in the north wall bearing the letters LEG VI, possibly placed that way intentionally.

Location: County Durham

Inception: 7 century

Architectural style: Anglo-Saxon architecture

Website: https://escombsaxonchurch.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 54.66610,-1.70806

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:47