THE past decade will go down as a significant one for Hexham Abbey.

An extensive project, launched in 2009, led to the restoration of the Grade I listed priory buildings at the rear of the historic site, while part of the former medieval monastery was relaunched as a high-profile visitor museum and refectory cafe in 2014.

But the project also led to the discovery of treasures which have helped historians and archaeologists learn more about the Abbey’s 1,300 past years.

They included a medieval painting found in one of the upper galleries of the church, early prayer books and discarded stonework from the Abbey’s five eastern chapels, which were demolished in the 19th century.

These discoveries, and more, have been detailed in a new book – Hexham Abbey Revealed.

Skilfully edited by Chris Tolan-Smith and Peter Richmond, the book is the result of a collaboration between the Abbey and Hexham Local History Society.

It offers an insight into conservation aspects of the project and the adaptation of the priory buildings, including the restoration of a former ballroom, which for many years was used to house the former Tynedale Magistrates’ Court, until its closure in 2011.

The illustrated book shows pictures of secret doorways exposed during the conservation work and sketches of previous expansion plans for the Abbey which never came to fruition.

And the removal of late-20th century fittings in the Abbey’s Carnaby Building led to a greater understanding of its 16th century association with bailiff Sir Reynold Carnaby.

The book includes contributions from other archaeologists, including Peter Ryder, who discussed the remains of a 15th century moulded fireplace in the Prior’s House at the Abbey, as well as a splayed window and a passage through to the Carnaby Building.

He explained: “To the west of the fireplace, there appeared to have been a shaft, presumably once provided with a ladder, up to a tiny watch chamber at first floor level.

“This would have enabled a surreptitious surveillance of any visitors before they were permitted to enter.”

The book also focuses on a project to piece together the remains of the Abbey’s five eastern chapels, dating back to 1350.

They were demolished in 1860 as part of architect John Dobson’s ruthless redevelopment at the east end of the building.

Within the past five years, loose stone items discovered within the Abbey grounds were found to match the window frames shown in an old photograph of the chapels, taken in 1858 by local photographer John Pattison Gibson.

In his foreword, the Abbey’s former rector, the Rt Rev. Graham Usher, who is now the Bishop of Dudley, spoke about the success of the restoration project and the visitor centre, which has proved popular since it opened in 2015.

Rt Rev. Usher explained how the idea of a museum at the Abbey was first mooted as far back as 1898 by his predecessor, Canon Sydney Savage.

He said: “Our vision was formed around revealing the past, enhancing the present and enriching the future.

“Much was discovered about the Abbey’s past, and the story of the former monastic buildings began to be unpicked as work progressed and light shone into previously blocked-up doorways.”

The Abbey’s Dr Tom Kelsey said that communication with museums, archives and other organisations, as well as historians and archaeologists, was vital during the conservation process.

Other contributors include Chris Britton, Chris Cotton, Hugh Dixon, Chris Simmons, Neel Lever, Christine Seal, Louise Hampson, Geoff Arnott, Patrick Gibbs, and Anthony Masinton.

l Hexham Abbey Revealed is now on sale at Hexham’s Cogito and Forum book shops, as well as the Hexham Abbey shop.