Heritage | Community | Education
Welcome to The Gefrin Trust
On the northern side of the Wooler to Kirknewton road, where it crests a small knoll rising amidst bare Northumbrian fields, stands a monument marking the site of one of the most evocative archaeological stories in the UK. A tale which involves one of the most remarkable discoveries of the 20th century.
Around 1300 years ago great timber halls stood here, marking the site of the royal residence of early Anglo-Saxon kings. In AD731 the scholar Bede records that while king Edwin and his queen were residing here, the queen’s bishop, Paulinus, baptised many in the nearby river Glen.
In 2002 Ad Gefrin, the physical site and the ongoing story, passed into the hands of The Gefrin Trust. Our aim is to preserve, investigate and recount the history and impact of this important site in the north Cheviot hills, from prehistory right up to the latest investigations and finds.
We hope our website informs and inspires you. We are currently working onthis new version of our website so please drop back regualarly as we expand the content.
Our Vision
Ad Gefrin is rooted in history, a place where myth, archaeology and tranquillity come together. We aim to inspire everyone with the extraordinary story of Ad Gefrin (Yeavering), by giving people the power to experience something of the magic of this place and its people.
Our Mission
To explore and communicate the contribution Ad Gefrin (Yeavering) has made to our understanding of the heritage and history of Northumberland and the British Isles. We are building on the archaeological and historical investigations of the past, by supporting and promoting an increase in knowledge and understanding of the site and environs.
The Site Through The Ages
Gefrin has been a focus for human activity for over 10,000 years.
We present a series of snapshots of the site through the ages. Beginning with an exploration of the Prehisroric, we then consider the site during the Early, Late and Post Mediaeval periods.
Details can be found on the link below.
Excavations at Yeavering
From Brian Hope-Taylors pioneering work in the 1950s and 1960s to Anthony Harding's investigation of the features in the area immediately below the Yeavering Bell hillfort in 1976 with the latest information from the Gefrin Trust's 2021 excavations on the palace site.
Details can be found on the link below.
Ad Gefrin Museum
The Gefrin Trust are delighted to be collaborating with the Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery in Wooler. We have loaned several objects to the new museum for display in their exhibition.
The partnership provides mutual support and expertise to promote the unique connection between our site at Yeavering (the inspiration for the name of the distillery) and the new museum that will form part of Ad Gefrin. We look forward to building our partnership over the coming years.
A Persistent Place
We were delighted to have the team from Archaeological Research Services working with us as part of our 2021 excavation project at Yeavering. Watch their excellent short video on the link below.
The 2021 Excavations
Delivered to the Border Archaeological Society Berwick Upon Tweed 7th February 2022 our first online talk covers the context and initial results from the 2021 excavations at Yeavering.
Featured Articles
The Yeavering Stone
A recent photogrammetry survey allows us to present a digital model of this important monolith, associated with a nearby henge structure, for the very first time.
The Lost Centuries
The Gefrin Trust is delighted to present a digitally restored episode from Anglia Television's 'The Lost Centuries', written and presented by Brian Hope-Taylor.
Hope-Taylor in 3D
Ground-breaking digital techniques allow us to create 3D models of Brian Hope-Taylor's original excavation trenches at Yeavering from original excavation photographs.
The Featured Articles articles here are examples of the content on our main Articles page. Please drop by regularly as we continue to update the site.