Ultimate Guide to visiting Lindisfarne in 2022
Lindisfarne, or Holy Island as it’s also known, is a small and somewhat mysterious island off the coast of Northumberland.
It is separated from the rest of the country by the North Sea and is only accessible twice a day when the tide goes out.
The island is one of most popular places to visit in the region and there’s plenty to see and do once you make it across the causeway.
To help you plan your next trip to Lindisfarne, we’ve put together this ultimate guide for you – happy reading!
History
If places could talk Lindisfarne would have some amount of stories to tell.
Even though it finds itself secluded from the mainland, the island has had a long and varied past that has seen it at the forefront of key events in British history.
The island’s origins begin in the early 7th century when King Oswald of Northumbria welcomed monks to Lindisfarne and within a year the first monastery was established on the island.
The importance and control of this monastery grew over the years and the island became a renowned hub for early Christianity and was crucial in spreading the gospel in northern England during this time.
However, the peace of monastic life was suddenly shattered on the 8th of June 793 in an event that would change the course of British history.
The cause of this event were Viking raiders who plundered their way across the island, killing and pillaging as they went.
While this wasn’t the first time the Vikings had ventured west, this attack hit at a centre of Christianity. It caused great concern among the regular people because if the holy saints couldn’t prevent the monastery from being attacked what chance did they have!
The raid on Lindisfarne is dramatised in the TV show ‘Vikings’ and if you are a fan of the show you’ll know this as the place where Ragnar and Athelstan first meet.
This snippet of history is just scratching the surface so if you want to find out more have a read of this article by English Heritage.
How to get there
Lindisfarne is located almost exactly halfway between Edinburgh and Newcastle and can be reached in under 90 minutes from either city by car.
Driving is by far the easiest way to get to the island with the only obstacle being the high tide which cuts off the causeway twice a day.
It is absolutely crucial that you check the tide times before you go otherwise you run the risk of being stranded which may mean spending the night there!
Once you cross the causeway, simply follow the road round until you come to the island’s large pay and display car park.
This is the only place where you are allowed to park your car however it’s a little pricey:
3 hrs = £5.00
4 hrs = £6.00
5 hours = £7.00
All day = £8.00
If you are up for a bit of an adventure, you can always follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims and walk across to the island during low tide.
The three-mile route is marked out in the sand by large wooden markers and for well over a thousand years was the primary route to the island.
It’s heavily advised that you don’t just follow the tide times above as these are intended for those using the causeway. This guide has been created which will explain the best way to cross as well as lots of other useful information.
Things to Do
Holy Island makes a perfect day trip and there’s plenty of things to keep you entertained.
Our two favourite places are:
Lindisfarne Castle
This intimidating castle sits high up on a mound overlooking the island. However, although it looks intimidating from the outside, it’s a different story once you make your way through the front door.
This is because at the start of the 20th Century, the castle was purchased by Edward Hudson, a wealthy publishing magnate, who had the castle renovated from a dreary fort into converted into a comfy home.
Here he would hold lavish parties for the rich and famous in the solitude of an almost empty island.
Once you make your way to the castle’s roof you will be welcomed by amazing views over the island and out to sea. On a clear day you’ll also be able to gaze across the water to the mighty Bamburgh Castle which is only a short drive away.
These days Lindisfarne Castle is owned by the National Trust so it is free to visit if you are a member like us or £8.50 if you are not – ticket information can be found here.
Lindisfarne Priory
This is the site that put Holy Island on the map and for early Christians was a popular pilgrimage location.
The passage of time has laid waste to the priory (more so than the Viking raid) so these days only some parts remain standing. With that said, there is still plenty to see and you can use your imagination for the rest.
When you arrive, we recommend visiting the museum next to the ticket booth first. This is a great little experience and allows you to read about the full history of the priory and everyone associated with it.
Once you have done this, simply follow the path round and go through the iron gates. Once you are inside the priory itself there are some useful information boars to read but you can also speak to any member of staff as they will be able to answer any questions you have.
The priory is under the management of English Heritage. A ticket for the museum and priory is £9 however if you are a member you can get in free – ticket information can be found here.
The castle and the priory were our favourite things to see however if you have the time we also recommend:
- St Aidan’s Winery to try some Lindisfarne Mead
- Gertrude Jekyll Garden to experience a unique, award-winning walled garden
- The Old Lifeboat Station Museum to learn about the boats and the crews that manned them
- The north side of the island to find a tranquil spot away from tourists
- Seal spotting in various spots around the island
Tips
1. Only park in the designated car park otherwise you will block roads in the village
2. Pay attention to the tide times as you could get trapped on the island
3. There are plenty of places to eat in the village but you may have to book a table in advance
4. The village is small so it can get busy during peak times, arrive early if you can
5. Free public toilets can be found next to the coaches parking area close to the village centre
6. There are no ATMs/ Cash Machines on the island so bring some cash with you
Nearby Attractions
Northumberland is an often-overlooked part of the country and we don’t know why as there are some great things to see especially around Lindisfarne:
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Known simply as Berwick, this is a lovely town close to the Scottish border. So close to the border in fact that the town has changed hands between England and Scotland 13 times!
Berwick is the closest ‘large’ town to Lindisfarne and has lots of shops and restaurants to keep you content as well as lots of historical sights to see.
Every time we head there we always take a walk along to the Royal Tweed Bridge as this gives magnificent views of the area before heading back into town to grab some fish and chips!
It’s only a 20-minute drive from Lindisfarne which would make it a good base if you didn’t want to stay overnight on the island.
Bamburgh Castle
Just across the water from Lindisfarne is the magnificent Bamburgh Castle, one of the largest castles in the country.
The castle has protected the area for over 1,400 years and is well worth a visit. When you are there you need to check out the opulent State Rooms as well as take a walk along the ramparts for awesome views!
The small village of Bamburgh is also lovely to walk around and the multitude of cafés and restaurants make it a great place to grab some food.
Bamburgh can be reached in 25 minutes from Lindisfarne and tickets for the castle are £14.10 however it is free if you are a member of Historic Houses.
Alnwick Castle
Slightly further down the road you’ll come across Alnwick Castle, although this probably won’t be the first time you’ve seen it.
Once you are there, you’ll almost certainly recognise it from all the movies and TV shows that have been filmed here over the years including a lot of blockbuster hits.
Its most famous role was as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter movies but it has also been the backdrop for Downton Abbey, Robin Hood and Transformers!
There is a dedicated guided tour showing you all the filming locations around the castle that is included in your ticket price and is well worth it. You can also attend a guided history tour, take part in lots of medieval activities, or try your hand at archery while you are there.
Alnwick Castle is pretty expensive at around £19.50 per ticket however there are lots of things to do and it is free if you are a Historic Houses member.
Guided Tour
If this all sounds like a bit too much planning and organising then why not leave it to the professionals and book yourself on a guided tour instead.
Here are a couple great tours that leave early from Edinburgh and tick off most things on this guide in one day for a decent price:
Accommodation
Due to its small size, accommodation on Holy Island can be limited however there is plenty of choice in the surrounding area:
Booking.com
