About Us

Key the name "Bewcastle" into any search engine and it immediately suggests you mean "Newcastle"! 

So where on earth is it? Located within Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, yet not on the wall, the church is Grade 11* and dates from the 13th century with building material from the Roman fort; the tower was added in the late 18th century. We are in remote north east Cumbria.

The 8th century Bewcastle Cross, a scheduled monument in the churchyard, is ranked by Pevsner as one of the 12 most important monuments in Britain - although this is in a dispersed, remote and rural location.

In the churchyard is a small and easy-to-visit museum outlining life in Bewcastle from prehistoric times up to the present.

Tellingly recently was this comment in the visitors’ book “Apart from Iona, I know of no place with such a “Wow” factor!”  Was the visitor referring to the impact of the cross, to the museum, to the location or perhaps to the peaceful, contemplative atmosphere inside the church, which is open every single day of the year during daylight hours? Come and see for yourself!

There is quite a saga to our repairs and restoration.

Four years ago, our architect told us that following his inspection, we should either close the church immediately for safety reasons, or if we still wished to worship God, should do so wearing tin hats! But this is Bewcastle! So we rose to the challenge, took a deep breath and launched an appeal with its memorable caption geared to our farming community, “If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb.”

The only way to describe the result would be amazing. We were told that we needed to raise a minimum of £30,000. In the event, we raised just over £72,000. The church roof and timbers have been repaired, so no more need to bring your hard hat on a Sunday, the east gable has been repointed and the museum in the churchyard totally reroofed. Now we need to repoint the tower.

St Cuthbert's Bewcastle is one of four churches in the benefice of Bewcastle, Stapleton and Kirklinton with Hethersgill. Sunday services alternate with the other churches. We have a small, friendly congregation, deeply embedded in the local farming community and open to all. 

You will find a warm welcome when you visit.