Visiting Brigflatts
Prospective visitors please note:
In September 2012 we started some repairs to the outside of the Meeting House. Unfortunately these took longer than expected and were not completed until winter had started. We therefore had to wrap the Meeting House in a plastic protective cover until the frost season had passed and the work could be completed. The Meeting House is now un-wrapped and repair work is likely to re-start in late May 2013. Eventually the building will be returned to its traditional whitewashed appearance. In the meantime, visitors coming to see, appreciate or photograph the outside of Meeting House may be disappointed (or may be thrilled) to see the bare stonework. The interior of course remains unchanged.
Please contact the Wardens for the current state of work if this is important to you.
Opening Hours
The Meeting House is open from 10am until 6pm in summer and until dusk
in winter.
It may be opened earlier or later by arrangement with the Wardens.
We frequently welcome groups, including school parties, to Brigflatts.
If you are planning to bring a group to Brigflatts please
speak to the Warden first to try to ensure that your visit does not
coincide with another large group - space in the Meeting House is
restricted and parking is very limited.
Visitors, who do not need to see the wardens, are welcome to visit at
any time when the Meeting House is open without prior arrangement.
The Wardens are very willing, by arrangement, to talk
to groups (and individuals) about the Meeting House, its history and
part in the early story of Quakerism. They will also try to answer any
questions you have about Quaker beliefs and the Religious Society of
Friends.
So if it is important to you to be met or if your group would like a
talk,
please phone in advance and make an arrangement with the
Wardens. Contact the Wardens
What you'll find inside
Meeting Room
Peace and quiet.
The Gallery
At
the top of the gallery stairs there is a small display of materials
relating to Basil Bunting, poet and friend of Brigflatts - his most
famous work being "Briggflatts". Basil Bunting is buried in the burial
ground at Brigflatts.
Link to the Wikipedia entry on Basil
Bunting
Link to the Basil
Bunting Poetry Centre at Durham University
Library
There are tea and coffee facilities in the Library - please help
yourself.
In the Library you will also find a number of Quaker and Brigflatts
specific publications for sale.
There is also a DVD player in the corner with some Brigflatts related
material for visitors to watch.
...and outside
The garden at Brigflatts is as peaceful as the Meeting House. Many
walkers come here to eat their picnics on the benches.
 Brigflatts
has one of the oldest Quaker burial grounds which pre-dates the
building of the Meeting House in 1675. You will notice that, as in all
Quaker burial grounds, the headstones are all the same with consistent,
simple wording - reflecting our belief that everyone is equally
important.
If you are interested in
geneology, perhaps your family has local Quaker connections, then
please feel free to explore.
Where to stay
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