Journey to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne, Northumberland
A visit to history-rich and beautiful Lindisfarne, cut off twice daily from the rest of the world by fast-moving tides, is an adventure not to miss.
There’s a wealth of history to discover on this small, but very significant island, strikingly situated off the Northumberland coast. Start your visit at Lindisfarne Priory, the epicentre of Christianity in Anglo Saxon times. This serene setting was the birthplace of the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of the world’s most precious books. Ransacked by Viking raiders in the eighth century, the Priory is now a set of evocative ruins.
Walk up to the small but commanding Lindisfarne Castle, first a 16th-century fort, then renovated by famous British architect Edwin Lutyens as his holiday retreat.
Wildlife watchers will also enjoy spotting migratory birds that visit the island, and the grey seals that bob in surrounding waters.
Check for safe crossing times on the causeway's notice board before visiting Holy Island. It is in northeast England, 13 miles (21km) from Berwick-upon-Tweed, itself 3 hours 40 minutes from London by train.
Content provided by Northumberland Tourism