The Saxon Church

We sometimes return from Newcastle via Bishop Auckland, but have never until today searched out this church, although I have known about it for a while.
 
This is The Saxon Church, Escomb. It is the oldest intact Saxon Church in England, having been built around 680AD and is a real joy to visit - simple, unadorned, and at the heart of the village in a roughly circular churchyard.
 
Who built it is not known, but it obviously belongs to the earliest period of Northumbrian Christianity and is an excellent example of Anglo-Saxon architecture. It was built of stone taken from the Binchester Roman fort, which is close by, and this stone can be seen, inside and out. The chancel arch (see extra) was taken from the fort and rebuilt here. There are many stones with cross-hatching, which is a distinctive feature of Roman stonework prepared for overlay with plaster. The small windows are original Saxon, the larger ones were added in the 18th century. On the wall between the two small windows you might be able to make out a sundial. This is very weatherworn, but is reputably the oldest sundial in its original position in the UK.
 
   
Lots more to see in this lovely little church. A gem well worth visiting.