Hexham Abbey is inviting local families to make use of its child-friendly spaces and regular activities, with provision ranging from informal play and reading to organised groups, crafts, stories and food.
The Abbey’s Children’s Corner is near the back of the church. It has child-sized furniture, toys, books and cushions, with drawing paper and pencils available. Families can use the area at any time to play, read a story, take a break during the school run or shelter from the rain.
The Abbey says children are welcome throughout the building, rather than only in the dedicated corner. It also runs several groups intended to make the site accessible to families with children of different ages.
Weekly activities for younger children
Tots’ Praise is the Abbey’s toddler group. It meets on Wednesday mornings in the North Transept, starting at 9.30am and finishing between 11am and 11.30am, or when families are ready to leave.
The session includes songs, a story, prayers, food and play, as well as a short procession around the Abbey. Children from birth until they start school can attend with a parent, grandparent or carer. The Abbey describes the group as a place where families can build friendships and support one another.
Cloister Club takes place on Sunday mornings during term time, between 10am and 11am while the morning service is under way. It is open to a mixed age range and each week focuses on a Bible story or another Christian story. Activities include games, prayers, discussion and craft.
Children return to the church for a blessing when their parents take Communion.
Monthly, seasonal and holiday activities
Messy Church is held on the third Sunday of each month, except August. Sessions combine a Bible-based theme, conversation and a story with games and crafts, followed by prayer, songs and food. The Abbey says activities can include parachute games.
There are also special activities during the year. During Hexham’s Spook Night, the Abbey offers craft activities and explores the Christian story of Halloween. Its free Christmas Eve Nativity Play is popular enough that families must order tickets in advance, and children can take part as angels or shepherds.
During the main school holidays, the Abbey provides activities for children, usually trails involving pictures or objects placed around the building. Older children can also contribute to Take This, a page of questions, answers and puzzles on a Christian theme produced every few weeks.
The family information was published by Hexham Abbey on 3 November 2026 and was written by Abbey volunteer Margi.