Holy Island of Lindisfarne

The small island of Lindisfarne is only accessible by crossing a tidal causeway, so timing and planning is important. We park at the huge parking site and walk into the village to visit Lindisfarne Priory (English Heritage).

Founded over 1400 years ago by an Irish monk called Aidan, the monastery became a bishopric in the Northumbrian Kingdom and converted to the religous practises of Rome under another monk, Cuthbert - both are now Saints. The isolated monastery fell prey to the Vikings and was eventually re-established as a richly decorated priory in the 12th century and it is the ruins of these that still remain.

We walk to the castle next, passing the small harbour; it is a 16th-century fortification built on the highest point of the island - it was eventually converted into a "family home" by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1901, with disused boats upturned and used as sheds. Lime kilns were built next to the castle on Castle Point in 1860 and used for 40 years until that industry declined.

We explore the beach and walk back to the village via the small Gertrude Keller flower gardens, which she designed in 1911 using an existing walled structure. It's been another great day out.Read more