The Claustral Buildings Of The Former Augustinian Priory Of St Andrew Now Incorporated In Hexham Court House And Hexham House Clinic The Court House And Hexham House Clinic

The Claustral Buildings form part of the former Augustinian Priory of St Andrew, now incorporated into Hexham Court House and Hexham House Clinic. Dating back to the 13th century, a vestibule to the Chapterhouse remains, now incorporated into the St Cuthbert Chapel. Little of the Chapterhouse itself survives. A lavatorium, dating to circa 1280, stands on the wall of the undercroft to the south-west of the nave, featuring seven crocketed pointed arches formerly above a walled-in trough. The undercroft itself, located south-west of the nave, features a segmental barrel vault with chamfered ribs.

The Prior's House, dating to the 15th and 16th centuries, was originally located to the west of the undercroft and facing Prior's Court. Significant damage from fire and 19th-century rebuilding resulted in little original fabric remaining, except for Prior Leachman’s window on the north side, above the gateway to Prior’s Court. This window features a cusped and crocketed ogee arch with a coat of arms as a finial, displaying the saltire cross of the Priory, a tall crest, and is supported by nude figures. Four corbel masks and a leaf pattern panel are located below the window. The 19th-century rebuilding is two storeys with eight windows to the south, featuring glazing bar sash windows, and a segmental archway leading to the northern courtyard. It is crenellated on the north side.

The Carnaby Block, dated 1539, has been considerably altered. Situated north-west of the nave and north of the Prior’s House, it is two storeys with five windows, built in rough ashlar and crenellated with a chevron bedmould. It contains 1, 2, and 3-light mullion windows with 4-centred arched and moulded heads. The ground floor has three segmental archways inserted; two are partially glazed, and one now serves as a doorway. The block returns to the west to join the Prior’s House.

The East range, dating to the early 19th century, stands above the undercroft and has a facade of 1+3+3+2 windows on the first floor, with plate glass sash windows. The building is constructed in ashlar and includes steps leading to the first floor on the left. The roof is hipped to the left and features three tall eaves chimneys. A ballroom with a wood ceiling now functions as a court room. The south return is built in rubble, with a facade of 2+4 windows featuring glazing bar sash windows and a reeded doorcase with a hood. The entire complex is subject to Ancient Monument scheduling (Nos 51a and 51b). Hexham Court House and the Priory Church of St Andrew, Market Place, are designated as a group.