Spotlight on Holy Island

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is a popular yet wonderfully tranquil Island off the Northumberland coast. Whether we are there to meet with a client about their property or visiting at the weekend to enjoy a beach walk and ice cream, we just love visiting this island and there’s always something exciting about crossing the causeway to reach it.

Bird watching, fishing, golf, walking, painting and photography are just some of the activities to be enjoyed on Holy Island. Accessed via the tidal causeway, the island is home to attractions like the 16th century Lindisfarne Castle (you can book a visit through the National Trust’s website); The Gertrude Jekyll Garden, which was awarded the 2019 Garden of the Year in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards; and St. Aidan’s Winery, the home of Lindisfarne Mead. The island offers a variety of attractions to inhabitants and visitors alike, not to mention breathtaking scenery and endless sea views.

During low tide, Holy Island gives access to St. Cuthbert’s Island, a smaller island that has a narrower window for visits between tides but is a great spot for bird and seal spotting. Holy Island’s access is at the mercy of the tides: twice a day the tides wash over the causeway and for hours the part-time island is cut off from the Northumbrian mainland. During these periods, when all the visitors have vacated the island, the 160 inhabitants of Holy Island can enjoy the total peace of this place.

While the island is mostly serviced by nearby coastal towns and cities, the local post office sells all the basic and essential food and domestic products, as well as souvenirs, and the Village Hall hosts local events. There are a few cafes such as Pilgrims Coffee and Oasis Coffee Shop, along with a couple of pubs and restaurants. The nearest supermarkets can be found in Berwick-upon-Tweed, which is around 20 minutes away by car, while the major chains will deliver groceries during low tide times.

The island’s main visitor attraction, Lindisfarne Castle, has a rich and fascinating history. Abandoned during the reign of Henry VIII, in 1901 the castle was converted into an Arts and Crafts-style holiday home for Country Life magazine founder Edward Hudson by architect Sir Edward Lutyens, and it overlooks the island’s famous gardens that were created by garden designer, writer and artist Gertrude Jekyll in 1911, working alongside Lutyens.

Holy Island forms part of the Northumberland Coast Area of Natural Beauty, along which can be found a number of stunning coastal towns and beaches such as Goswick, Cheswick, Seahouses and Craster, as well as Bamburgh with its incredible sandy beach. Holy Island is a destination we highly recommend making the effort to visit if you haven’t already. It’s a wonderful day trip, although be mindful of the safe crossing times when planning your visit to this unique place.