Biddlestone RC Chapel, near Netherton, Northumberland
Listed Grade II*

Most remotely sited of HCT's chapels, Biddlestone stands in wild country on the southern slopes of the Cheviot Hills within Northumberland National Park. Now an isolated building, Biddlestone was once a private chapel adjoining Biddlestone Hall, the demolished home of the Selby family. The Selbys had been granted land in the Borders in 1272 and eventually established themselves at Biddlestone where they maintained a Catholic chaplaincy at their own expense. Scars on the west wall of the chapel indicate the site of the Hall.

The chapel was built was over the remains of a mediaeval pele tower. Archaeologist Peter Ryder suggests that Biddlestone dates from the late 14th century when it was probably a solitary defensive position. Mediaeval rubblestone survives to eaves height on the north side and there is a thick-walled, barrel-vaulted basement or undercroft below which can be entered from the east and west sides.

About 1820 when the Selbys were rebuilding Biddlestone Hall they repaired the remains of the tower and constructed the chapel over its undercroft. The chapel is furnished in mid-Victorian Gothic Revival manner, with a three-light east window containing stained glass which dates from 1862. There are three Y-traceried windows with dripstones on the north and south sides. In the gallery is stained glass displaying Selby heraldry. The reed organ is American and late 19th century.

Activities at Biddlestone include barbeques and occasional services of worship, which are ecumenical in character. A small scale repair and upgrading scheme was completed in April 2008.

Access can be arranged by ringing 01665 574420, 01669 620230 or 01669 630270 or by emailing HenCalUK@aol.com.

St George's German Lutheran Church,
55 Alie Street, London E1 8EB
Tel: 020 7481 0533 Fax: 020 7488 3756
email: chapels@hct.org.uk

Company Number: 2778395.
Registered Charity Number: 1017321