Finchale Priory is located in a very pleasant setting. A few miles outside Durham City on the
banks of the River Wear.
It was founded by St Goderic in the eleventh century, before he
became a saint.
Goderic was a hermit and was told about Finchale in a vision, even though he had never heard of
it. Goderic lived a very solitary life here and survived to the age of 105.
Finchale was a hermitage until it was made a priory which was
dependant on Durham Cathedral in 1196.
A rough stone grave within the ruins of the later church is thought to be the
last resting place of Saint Goderic.
