Picture of Holy Island
Caption: LINDISFARNE
Caption: Lindisfarne - otherwise known as Holy Island, or the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, to use its full title - is unlike any place else I've been. It's hugely atmospheric and picturesque, and even with the bus and car loads of visitors that descend on the island, it remains an incredibly peaceful spot.
Lindisfarne is a tidal island in Northumberland in the north-east of England. Twice a day the causeway leading to the island is submerged by the North Sea, so you need to plan your visit, and time it carefully.
The island has a population of just 160, but some 650,000 visitors make this trip over the causeway every year.
Picture
Caption: Lindisfarne was the site of the earliest Christian monastery in Anglo-Saxon Northumbria. Irish monks settled here in AD 635. The island was raided by Vikings in the 8th century, and the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory are one of the key attractions for visitors today.
We visited Holy Island a few days ago - a short trip as we were racing a 2pm deadline to leave before the tide turned. It was a sparkling day, so we headed out from the village itself towards Lindisfarne Castle.
Picture of Lindisfarne Castle
Caption: Rising from the rock face at the very tip of the island, Lindisfarne Castle was originally built as a fort dating from Tudor times.
Picture of Lindisfarne Castle
Picture of Lindisfarne Castle
Picture of Lindisfarne Castle
Caption: The castle caught the eye of Edward Hudson, founder of Country Life magazine, who commissioned the Arts and Crafts architect Edwin Lutyens to renovate the building, creating a unique holiday home as a retreat from life in London.
Picture of Lindisfarne Castle
Picture of Lindisfarne Castle
Picture of Holy Island
Caption: From here, you can gaze south over the water to Bamburgh Castle, which overlooks one of the most beautiful beaches in Northumberland. Lindisfarne isn't a trip to be rushed. We explored just enough to make us want to return, and soon.
Picture of Holy Island
Holy Island
Caption: Photos edited using #VSCOcam
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