Egglestone was yet another 'border' abbey to suffer the financial blows of various wars and disputes throughout the middle ages and, consequently, much repair and reconstruction has taken place over the years. The abbey was dissolved in 1540 and, it is believed, shortly afterwards the church tower was demolished because it spoiled the view from the old monastic buildings which had, by now, been converted into residential dwellings.

On the occasion we have visited Egglestone, the exposed and bleak position of the abbey, sitting high in the valley of the River Tees, has been accentuated by the adverse weather conditions we ncountered. It certainly brought home to us the severity of life that the monks must have endured all those centuries ago.