Holiday rentals in Holy Island

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is a small, tidal island off the Northumberland coast dominated by a 16th-century castle and monastery, both of which are perched at the top of the island’s only hill. Fewer than 200 people live year round on the island, which measures less than five kilometres from east to west. From the mainland, Holy Island can be reached twice per day during low tide via a 1.3-kilometre causeway. And yet the journey across is well worth waiting for: This serene island draws visitors from around the world for its beauty and millennium-old sites.

From gorgeous cliffside views to rolling sand dunes and green, grassy hills, Holy Island offers a variety of terrain for hikers. One of the great attractions of the isle is Lindisfarne Priory, established around 634 A.D. by an Irish monk named Saint Aidan; the patron saint of Northumbria, Saint Cuthbert, once led the priory as its abbot.

The best time to visit Holy Island is between April and September, when the temperatures are warmer and there is less chance of rain. The skies are often spectacularly blue during this period. Visitors should take note of the wind — Holy Island is in the North Sea, known for its strong gales throughout the year but especially during the early spring and autumn.

If you can stand the bracing wind, spring and autumn are the best times to catch migrating birds passing through Lindisfarne and spot the seals resting on the shores in the evening. Visiting the island during the off-season will give you the chance to experience a calmer, quieter, and more soothing Holy Island that harks back to its past as a remote refuge for the devoted.

Lindisfarne Castle

Constructed in 1550, Lindisfarne Castle is the defining feature of Holy Island. The structure and the nearby gardens and limekilns have been under the care of the National Trust since 1944. Booking your ticket ahead of time is essential for the chance to wander around this striking monument and its grounds.

Lindisfarne Priory

Alongside Lindisfarne Castle is Holy Island’s other peak attraction, Lindisfarne Priory. A museum near the site of the priory ruins gives visitors information about the history of Holy Island, from the first monks to Viking raids and the cult of Saint Cuthbert. You may get to peruse the Lindisfarne Gospels, a beautifully illustrated medieval manuscript on permanent display.

Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve

Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve is an internationally recognised coastal habitat for a variety of animals including deer, seals, and migratory birds. Birders flock here in autumn and winter to observe the birds; the preserve is the only known UK wintering site for pale-bellied brent geese. To trek the full extent of the reserve, follow the coastline, passing through the castle’s lush gardens.