Sunderland and Jarrow: The Twin Monastery That Made Bede
North East, England
Badge Unlock
Sunderland Heritage Expert
Complete this challenge to add this badge to your collection.
250
XP
1 day
Sunderland and Jarrow: The Twin Monastery That Made Bede
250 XP
Benedict Biscop founded St Peter's at Monkwearmouth in AD 674–5 and a decade later its twin, St Paul's at Jarrow, and the double monastery became a centre of learning that produced Bede. England had no masons, so Benedict brought them from Francia, and glassmakers to glaze the windows — the start of glassmaking on the Wear. St Peter's still stands near the north bank of the Wear, and at Jarrow the dedication stone of 23 April 685 is set above St Paul's chancel arch, one of the oldest church dedication stones in England.
Required Activities
1
of 3
Visit St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, founded in AD 674–5 by Benedict Biscop, one of the two churches of the double monastery that produced Bede
2
of 3
See the dedication stone of 23 April 685 above the chancel arch at St Paul's Church, Jarrow, the monastery's twin on the Tyne
3
of 3
Walk out to the seafront at Roker, north of the mouth of the Wear
Visit St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth, founded in AD 674–5 by Benedict Biscop, one of the two churches of the double monastery that produced Bede
See the dedication stone of 23 April 685 above the chancel arch at St Paul's Church, Jarrow, the monastery's twin on the Tyne
Walk out to the seafront at Roker, north of the mouth of the Wear
Before you go
The National Glass Centre beside St Peter's closed permanently on 31 July 2026, and Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is closed for redevelopment until late 2028.
Finding nearby campsites...
About North East
Loading region info…
Explore more about North East:
Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
250 XP
Potential total
250 XP
More challenges nearby
within 100km
Newcastle and Gateshead: BALTIC, the Victoria Tunnel and the Angel
England · North East
cultural
easy
1d
16 km away
Durham: The Cathedral and the Castle on the Wear
England · North East
cultural
easy
1d
20 km away
Beamish: The Living Museum of the North
England · North East
history
easy
1d
21 km away
Hartlepool: HMS Trincomalee and the Heugh Battery
England · North East
history
easy
1d
27 km away
Middlesbrough: The Transporter Bridge and Captain Cook's Birthplace
England · North East
history
easy
1d
39 km away
Corbridge: The Most Northerly Town in the Roman Empire
England · North East
history
easy
1d
42 km away