Project to reopen 12th Century Bamburgh crypt wins 'hidden gem' accolade at UK Heritage Awards

The Accessing Aidan project, with its newly opened crypt of St Aidan’s Church won the ‘Hidden Gem’ category at the awards, which celebrate the best historic houses, gardens, museums and sites around the UK.

Last November, the 12th Century crypt was reopened to enable the public to visit the new Bamburgh Ossuary and to learn more about the remarkable story of Anglo-Saxon Bamburgh.

An interpretive display and animation together with a unique interactive digital ossuary tells the story of 110 skeletons dating back to the 7th and 8th Centuries unearthed from what is believed to be the burial ground for the royal court of Northumbria.

Judges of the UK Heritage Awards praised Accessing Aidan for ‘furthering science and education’, for mixing digital elements with archaeology and for the strength of the volunteer and community involvement.

Jessica Turner, the Accessing Aidan project officer said “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised with this fabulous award.

"This has been a great partnership effort and we are immensely proud that our hidden gem - the crypt and our amazing Anglo-Saxon story - is now open and accessible to all.”

Difficult external access meant the crypt had been closed to the public for the last 30 years but now new stairs enable access to the main crypt below, from where the second crypt with its neatly stacked ossuary boxes containing the bones, can be viewed.

The Accessing Aidan project is a collaboration between the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership, St Aidan’s Parochial Church Council, Durham University, Bamburgh Heritage Trust and Northumberland County Council.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions the crypt and main body of the church are currently only open on designated days - this week on September 9 and 13. It is also possible to arrange a private tour of the crypt via www.northumberlandcoastaonb.org/accessing-aidan/

The digital ossuary is available online through a new website www.bamburghbones.org/

The project has been made possible for thanks to a £355,600 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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