A village in Northumberland's Tyne Valley, east of Hexham. Ovingham's parish church of St Mary dates to the Saxon period, with major rebuilding in the 13th century and again in the Victorian period.
St Mary's church was the site of historic drama in 1534, Henry VIII's church commissioners, sent to dissolve Hexham Abbey were challenged from the top of the church tower by the abbot, dressed in armour. The abbot was hanged for his impudence, ostensibly for wearing armour, which was forbidden to a cleric.
Remnants of two Saxon crosses are preserved in the church. Georgian engraver Thomas Bewick, a native of Ovingham, is buried in the churchyard.
There is an annual Goose Fair, which dates back to 1294.
About Ovingham
Address: Ovingham, Northumberland, England
Attraction Type: Village
Location map
OS: NZ 0863 6356
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
HERITAGE
We've 'tagged' this attraction information to help you find related historic attractions
and learn more about major time periods mentioned.
Historic Time Periods:
Find other attractions tagged with:
13th century (Time Period) - Georgian (Time Period) - Henry V (Person) - Henry VI (Person) - Henry VII (Person) - Henry VIII (Person) - Saxon (Time Period) - Victorian (Time Period)
NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
Ovingham, St Mary's Church - 0.1 miles (Historic Church) 
Prudhoe Castle - 0.5 miles (Castle)
Cherryburn - 0.9 miles (Historic Building) 
Bywell Castle - 2.6 miles (Castle)
George Stephenson's Birthplace - 2.6 miles (Historic Building)
Bywell, St Andrew's Church - 2.6 miles (Historic Church) 
Bywell, St Peter's Church - 2.7 miles (Historic Church)
Bywell Hall - 2.8 miles (Historic House)
Nearest Holiday Cottages to Ovingham:
Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland
Sleeps: 4
Stay from:£467 - £2,087
