Saturday 9 November 2013

Our hidden church gems - Northumberland's St Andrews, Shotley, comes in at number 5

Good to see the Telegraph recognise the wonderful St Andrews in Shotley as one of the 10 best "hidden" churches. Coming in at Number 5, is the wonderful old Anglican church standing in an isolated position at a height of 960 feet on Greymare Hill at the very southern most point in the county. It is designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building, and is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. I have yet to visit but am much looking forward.
St. Andrew’s offers panoramic views for miles around. The church itself, built in 1769, is in a simple cruciform style.
In the churchyard, to the northeast of the church, is the Hopper Mausoleum, which is a Grade I listed building, built in 1752, with beautiful statues. Also in the churchyard are three Grade II listed buildings - these are a hearse house, the Chatt headstone, and the Gibson headstone.