A partnership between Blanchland Abbey and Lord Crewe’s Charity, beginning in 2026
Two phase, circa £1.5M and 5 year project using citizen research, academic study, and skilled heritage conservation to unlock and share the mysteries of the Treasures of Blanchland, exploring the rich history of the village, and repairing the fabric of the medieval Blanchland Abbey.
We’ll share what we discover through a programme of public events to support a sustainable future for Blanchland: its church, village and its environs.
The third phase of the Blanchland Abbey Project has secured development phase funding – see our press release here: https://www.blanchland.org/2025/11/21/treasures-of-blanchland-funding-success/
We are planning for The Treasures of Blanchland project to:
- RESCUE historic fabric of the Grade 1 Abbey church, preventing further deterioration from damp and improving adaptability to climate change;
- REMODEL interior and access creating a warm, collaborative, and accessible community-owned building, meeting the CofE Net zero carbon commitment;
- CONSERVE, study, and safely redisplay the Abbey’s Treasures which date from the C15th in collaboration with researchers from Durham University;
- INVESTIGATE the Abbey and village archaeology;
- CONNECT people and nature, with new walks and events;
- CELEBRATE the history of this unique medieval village, from the Normans to the Victorians;
- INVOLVE more people with the heritage of the Abbey and village through public events, a new history festival, and heritage craft workshops;
- PIONEER strategic approach to managing church buildings within Newcastle Diocese, by embodying the ‘Seeking, Sharing, Sending’ orientation from the new Bishop of Newcastle;
- COLLABORATE with local businesses and organisations to support the hyperlocal tourism economy.
We have received confirmation that we have funds from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a pilot programme during 2026, with the full project and all the building works planned to begin in 2027.
