Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is a tidal island off the northeast coast of England, which constitutes the civil parish of Holy Island in Northumberland.
Holy Island has a recorded history from the 6th century AD; it was an important centre of Celtic Christianity under Saints Aidan, Cuthbert, Eadfrith, and Eadberht of Lindisfarne. The island was originally home to a monastery, which was destroyed during the Viking invasions but re-established as a priory following the Norman Conquest of England. Other notable sites built on the island are St Mary the Virgin parish church, Lindisfarne Castle, several lighthouses and other navigational markers, and a complex network of lime kilns. The island is part of the Northumberland Coast National Landscape and a hotspot for historical tourism and bird watching.
Getting to Lindisfarne
First look up the tides, which regulate your access and the opening hours of businesses on the island. The causeway is impassable from two hours before to three hours after high tide. The best source for safe crossing times is Northumberland County Council, posted two years in advance.
Worth seeing
- 01Lindisfarne Priory
Apr-Sep: daily 10AM-5PM; Nov-Mar: Sat Sun 10AM-4PM.
- 02Lindisfarne Castle
A fort was built on an outcrop in 1549, using masonry taken from the dissolved priory.
- 03The Snook is the west peninsula
Things to do
Birdwatching: much of the island and tidal flats are protected as part of the Lindisfarne national nature reserve, as this is an important habitat wintering birds. Watch for Brent Goose, Widgeon and Teal. Seals: Grey seals (aka Atlantic seals, Halichoerus grypus) often haul out on the mudflats Apr-Sep, mournfully serenading passers-by.
Where to eat
Seafood Bar is a mobile takeaway at Chare End car park. A handful of cafes are in village centre.
Getting around Lindisfarne the local way
- Get inA day trip is possible in either direction, giving you four hours before return.
From Wikivoyage: Lindisfarne, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see Commons), Wikimedia Commons.