GRASSROOTS history organisation Hyde 900 is on the hunt for Hyde Abbey as part of Heritage Open Days.

Where better to celebrate heritage than the place where the magnificent Hyde Abbey, final resting place of King Alfred the Great, once stood?  Built in the early 1100s, the Abbey was around 80 per cent of the length of the current Cathedral, but almost completely disappeared during the 1500s. 

One of Hyde900’s many activities has been to try to unearth the mystery of the layout of this historic building.

This year’s Hyde900 HODs event on September 14-15 will take place in and around the 12th century St Bartholomew’s Church (SO23 7DF), which, along with the Gateway, is all that remains of the Abbey buildings.  Many different activities suitable for all ages will explore the search for the missing medieval abbey.

(Image: Hyde900)

There will be two expert speakers:

Dr John Crook is an architectural historian, photographer, and architectural consultant to Hyde900.  Dr Crook’s talk entitled ‘Want your garden dug?’ will reveal updates in the twists and turns of interpreting the archaeological evidence of Hyde Abbey's historic layout as a major medieval monastery that was entrusted with the remains of King Alfred and his family. 

Don Bryan, author, city guide and lecturer in archaeology and history, will talk about Emma of Normandy.  She was the medieval queen that Netflix has yet to discover - wife of two kings (Aethelred the Unready, and King Cnut) mother of two kings (Harthacnut and Edward the Confessor). 

READ MORE HERE: Vintage transport for Heritage Open Days

Mr Bryan, will tell us why this extraordinary woman, illustrated in the Liber Vitae record of daily life at Hyde Abbey and New Minster, deserves to be better known.

Experts will be on hand throughout the weekend to discuss finds associated with the Abbey that have been discovered in local gardens including medieval floor tiles. 

Visitors can also have a go at making a floor tile in the medieval manner in a free workshop, open to all ages – but be prepared to get your hands dirty! (For a fee, visitors can have their tiles fired and glazed for collection early in 2025.)

Over the weekend, Heritage Walks (devised and guided by Anna Withers) will follow in the footsteps of the monks and pilgrims who frequented Hyde Abbey in the days of its medieval glory.  Discover remains of the Abbey hidden all around Hyde in a self-guided trail for children (and adults!) - a must for archaeological detectives of all ages – or take part in Saxon activities for younger children. 

Visit https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/ and search for Hyde900 to find more details of the activities and to pre-book, or just call in and see us for a chat on September 14-15.