Northumberland, Tyne & Wear

Towns & Villages

HOLY ISLAND

Lindisfarne Castle - Photo: Gary Rogers CCL

Situated in the centre of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve and described as "The Jewel of the Northumberland Coast", there is much to see on Holy Island. Access to the island is via a causeway that can only be crossed at low tide. Originally known as Lindisfarne, the island was the site of a Benedictine Priory from the seventh century until it's destruction in the sixteenth century by Henry VIII. The ruins remain today, and tours can be arranged in the Visitor centre that stands next to them. With the stones from the Priory, in 1550 Henry built the spectacular Lindisfarne Castle on top of the volcanic mound known as Beblowe Craig. It was transformed in around 1900 to the magnificent country house you can see today. It's walled gardens, designed by Gertrude Jekyll in 1911, recreated by the National Trust in 2003.
 

The historic sites on the island are predominantly to be found on the south side of the island, along with it's hotels and restaurants and its 120 or so inhabitants. To the north of the island is a tranquil nature reserve consisting of inter-tidal sand and mud flats, extensive sand dunes, saltmarsh and quiet beaches. An environment that supports hugely varied plant life and home to a large variety of birds.

A truly ideal getaway for walkers, bird watchers, historians, artists and photographers, or if you just want to relax.

Holy Island Priory, Church and Castle in the distance - Photo: Gary Rogers CCL