Description: This little island off the Northumberland coast can only be accessed when the tides are low and the causeway is above water level. Any visit to the island therefore needs to be carefully planned around tide times as you do not want to risk getting stranded on the island or worse getting washed away into the North Sea. There are 150 permanent residents on the island as well as a small primary school, post office cafes, hotels, guest houses, holiday homes, a couple of shops and of course the Castle, Priory and some local wildlife.
Once you arrive on the island you have to park your car in the car park which is pay and display and then you have to walk where ever you want to go. At certain times there is a shuttle mini bus to the castle but it didn’t operate on the day we visited. If you are staying on the island or live there I believe you can drive and park outside you house or on the driveway.
THE LINDISFARNE PRIORY
This is open from 9.30- 17.00 from April to September, it closes at 16.00 in October and then you can only visit from 10.00 till 14.00 in November, December and January but they do suggest you check the winter opening times if you want to visit then. Admission to the Priory is £4.80 for adults, Concessions £4.30 and children are £2.90. Interestingly you can go into the shop for free! If you are a member of English Heritage then you can use your membership and go in free.
This priory is now pretty much a ruin but you can see what a stunning place it once was by walking amongst the ruins. This priory was once the most important centre of British Christianity and even today is considered to be one of the holiest places for Christians.
The priory as originally founded in 635 AD and was the last resting place of St Cuthbert who was buried here in 687 AD. According to the legend his body was exhumed eleven years later and there was no sign of any decay. This was considered a sign that he was indeed a saint according to those in the know.
Sadly the peace and tranquillity of this island was rather ruined when in 783 AD Viking raiders arrived to plunder all valuables and cause havoc generally.
Although these are just ruins you do get a very good idea of what an enormous building this once was. The amazing rainbow archway that hangs high above part of the walls makes for a great photo. You seem to be allowed to climb on parts of the walls. I climbed up some very tiny steps which had led to the monks’ sleeping quarters. I found them very tricky getting up and quite nerve wracking climbing down so I take my hat off to the monks who had to do this and probably up higher at least twice a day and wearing their robes.
Within the Priory walls is a modern statue of St Cuthbert, it is a modern interpretation and he does look a bit sort of minimalist with a very large head but maybe that is just me!. The plaque on the side is in raised letters and also in Braille which I did think was a nice idea.
If you manage to visit on a day when there are very few others, especially children then this would be a lovely peaceful place to sit and contemplate life and the universe. On the day we went it was a little too chilly to sit still for very long and there were quite a few children clambering over the stones and jumping around which slightly spoiled the ambiance.
In the Priory shop where you buy your ticket to one side the English heritage have created a sort of museum or story of Lindisfarne. It concentrates on the religious aspect and the Priory from St Aidan and St Cuthbert through to the Vikings and Henry VIII’s time. It has been well done with lots of interesting information and some hands on activities for the children and is certainly worth visiting as it costs no extra.
The shop has the usual sort of souvenirs, from the cheaper stuff like rubbers and novelties through to more expensive pottery and books as well as a few postcards.
THE LINDISFARNE CENTRE
This again costs extra, £3 for adults and £1 for children but you can go and look in the shop for free. This is a sort of mini museum which tells the story of the island and also contains a very modern touch screen version of the famous and very respected Lindisfarne Gospels.
While you are in here you can watch the film which tells about the Viking raids in 793 AD and after that explore the artefacts and pictures. Once again it has been very well done and is the work of the Island Community Trust so all money raised is put back into the community.
This little centre is open from 10 am till 5pm from April till September. It closes at 4pm in October and the times vary from November 1st through to Mar 3st so it is best to phone to check.
There is a lot to see on this tiny island and I have written about other attractions in other reviews on here.
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