Coldingham Priory
Coldingham Priory
4.5
About
Coldingham Priory, located at the centre of Coldingham, date back over 1000 years. Records go back to 647 AD and there is evidence of earlier settlement. The Priory remains in use today as a place of worship. Nearby, the Coldingham Luckenbooth, houses the Priory Interpretation Centre, giving detaild information on Priory History along with more about the historic conservation village itself. The Luckenbooth is open almost every day of the week and the Priory opens for public viewing during the holiday season. The grounds and gardens are open all year round and admission is free.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
51 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
25
Average
5
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0
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0
Margaret B
Kilwinning, UK227 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
Came across priory by chance on our way home from weekend visit to area and were most impressed with the history of this lovely building. The grounds are beautiful and obviously well cared for. Absolutely fascinated by the ruins and gravestones. Most definitely a place to pause and reflect. Unfortunately we didn't see inside the priory as it was closed. Local people we met were so friendly and helpful.
Written June 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Calummurdo
154 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
The priory is a lovely place to pop in by and have a look around. It is very peaceful apart from the bird song which is relaxing.
There is easy parking immediately at the entrance to the site with one space allocated for disabled parking.
The path down to the priory and around the back is very good and most areas are readily accessible for those less fleet of foot.
There is some interpretation but it is in proportion to the relatively small size so you do not feel bombarded with too much information nor do you fell shortchanged.
There is a rock garden that is clearly a labour of love for someone which along with the blossom on the trees makes this a lovely place to sit and reflect.
There is not much beyond that (we did not go in) but what there is is all good.
The only think to watch is that it does appear to be a dog paradise and we easily saw four or five in our short time there. They were all well behaved (including their owners) so there is no dog mess and they do not run at you, which some people dislike.
There is easy parking immediately at the entrance to the site with one space allocated for disabled parking.
The path down to the priory and around the back is very good and most areas are readily accessible for those less fleet of foot.
There is some interpretation but it is in proportion to the relatively small size so you do not feel bombarded with too much information nor do you fell shortchanged.
There is a rock garden that is clearly a labour of love for someone which along with the blossom on the trees makes this a lovely place to sit and reflect.
There is not much beyond that (we did not go in) but what there is is all good.
The only think to watch is that it does appear to be a dog paradise and we easily saw four or five in our short time there. They were all well behaved (including their owners) so there is no dog mess and they do not run at you, which some people dislike.
Written March 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LizM2
Clydebank, UK1,913 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
Coldingham Priory and the Parish Church of Coldingham & St Abbs is also the site of Commonwealth War Graves and contains information boards with historical information around the graveyard and ruins. We enjoyed a calm and peaceful stroll.
Written September 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BillHarvey
Edinburgh, UK136 contributions
May 2019
Parts of the former priory are now re-used as a church, which is surrounded by an old and picturesque graveyard and some very interesting old stonework. An enjoyable side trip as part of a longer day out to Siccar Point and Eyemouth. And we had a nice roast beef dinner in The New Inn, a local pub in Coldingham, which is sadly not listed on Tripadvisor.
Written May 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
meb594
Northumberland, UK40 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
The priory isn't large, but is a lovely tranquil place to walk and observe the local history through reading headstones etc.
The grounds were partially taped off when we visited, but access through the priory and onwards to the main thoroughfare was unhindered.
The grounds were partially taped off when we visited, but access through the priory and onwards to the main thoroughfare was unhindered.
Written May 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerri H
Southport, UK72 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Very interesting ruined priory with church . Not very big but very peaceful and nice for a wander. Some interesting gravestones in the churchyard
Written May 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe B
Edinburgh, UK1,863 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
Visited during a stay in Coldingahm and was a treat. Steeped in history, its a lovely spot to spend some time and take in the architecture and historical surroundings. Situated centrally in the village its easily accessible.
Written November 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DJDT
Heiloo, The Netherlands12 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
Besides Coldingham being my home village by origin, the Priory has a most interesting history dating back from 660 AD; see if you can get hold of the booklet compiled by T D Thomson that is available in the Priory's porch. Alas the Englishman, Oliver Cromwell blasted the Priory to bits in 1648 with his guns mounted atop Coldingham Law.
Written December 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravellingBrit32
Canterbury, UK150 contributions
Oct 2015
Today there are a few ruins & a parish church remaining from what would have been one of the most important buildings in Scotland. St Ebbe (Ebba), the daughter of Aethelfrith, the first king of Northumbria, founded a monastery near St Abb's Head. St Cuthbert is thought to have visited this monastery. It was destroyed by fire in 683 AD & was rebuilt at Coldingham. We were fortunate that the church was open (there was a committee meeting taking place). The blending of the old & modern architecture is very special. The church is open for services & occasionally at other times. Entry to the Priory & grounds is free. A heritage lottery funding has enabled some restoration work & the building of a garden (inspired by St Cuthbert's cross) to be achieved. A special place to pause & pray & think about the faithful souls who through the ages have worshipped here.
Written November 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret H
Surfers Paradise, Australia6 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
The Priory is a fascinating historical place. I discovered several weeks before our visit to Scotland that my g.g.g.g.grandmother was baptised at Coldingham Priory in 1755 and found when we were in Coldingham that the Priory was open for visitors. The attendants were able to tell us about the Priory, its history and the effects of Wars over the years.
Written July 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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