23/06/2025
🦴The Crypt at Newcastle Cathedral 💀
I find Crypts to be so interesting (the one at St Aiden's church in Bamburgh is fascinating - if you're in the area, do pop in).
So when I discovered there was one in Newcastle Cathedral, I had to visit. Entry is FREE, just turn up during opening hours (closed for half an hour for morning prayer).
A Crypt is usually found underneath a religious building and is primarily used for burials or as a place to hold coffins.
The Crypt at Newcastle Cathedral dates back to the the 14th century and was used as a room to store bones from the overflowing graveyard next door and once it was full, it seems like the door was closed and then forgotten about for years.
Then in 1824, it was rediscovered and quite a shock when they opened it up and found it was filled right up to the ceiling with bones - some in neat piles and others more disorganised. I would love to know their stories! When you step inside, you can really imagine the room being filled with bones. It's quite the picture.
The Crypt has been cleared and restored now and if you're in the area, worth popping into. It's one of those places you can really feel the history.
Look out for the stained glass windows which are hidden from the exterior and the circular St Catherine Window which hints of the broken spiked circular wheel which was supposed to torture her before her ex*****on but broke as soon as she touched it.
The rest of the cathedral is worth a visit too, it has a lovely cafe which is used to rehabilitate ex-offenders and there's a child's corner with toys, crafts and books too (free for all to use).
