Discover nine hundred years of history, hidden in Hyde’s homes and streets
A Hyde900 heritage project
The history of Hyde and Abbots Barton is uniquely tied to Hyde Abbey, a Benedictine monastery and burial place of King Alfred the Great, which stood on the site of the current King Alfred Place and Hyde Abbey garden from 1110 to 1537.
Immediately the Abbey was dissolved, all its buildings apart from Hyde Gate and chamber were demolished and much of the stonework re-used locally, some in the construction of St. Bartholomew’s Church tower, in buildings such as ‘Old Hyde House’, and various walls in and around Hyde Street.
It is easy to overlook this stonework and the artistry which it contains, linking us back directly to the 12th Century and perhaps earlier. Much is not even in public places, having been used in private houses – in lofts and basements and garden walls – often incorporated incongruously alongside Victorian red brick. Some will have been lost, discarded in renovation projects, and this remains a risk for the future.
Hidden In Hyde is a heritage project from Hyde900 which aims to discover and focus on these stones allowing residents and visitors alike a better appreciation of their history, artistic qualities, and architectural role within the original building of Hyde Abbey.
We expect this project to grow and mature over time as more material is added and our understanding develops, but amongst other features plan a Hidden in Hyde website with:
…and we also hope to organise occasional lectures and guided tours.
If you think you’ve found something that may be a stone taken from Hyde Abbey, please use the contact form to let us know. Or you can phone us on 01962 840225. Where relevant we will of course maintain full confidentiality when recording locations.
In 2013 and 2014 we presented exhibitions of stones from Hyde Abbey in the church, complete with information panels and leaflets telling the story of the Abbey and its stones.
To see where the stones of the Abbey have been found, click on the pointers on the map below or use the list of streets beneath it.