Starting on Holy Island, this two-day journey takes in five sites related to Lindisfarne. On day one, we visit Bamburgh Castle, St. Aidan's Church in Bamburgh, and St. Cuthbert's Chapel on Inner Farne, resting for the night in Bamburgh. On the second day, we drive to an area near St. Cuthbert's Cave and walk to the cave. Afterwards, we drive to the city of Durham and its famous cathedral where St. Cuthbert is buried.
Sites to be Visited
Bamburgh Castle
St. Aidan's Church, Bamburgh
St. Cuthbert's Chapel on Inner Farne Island
St. Cuthbert's Cave
Durham Cathedral
Journey to the Lindisfarne Related Sites
Leaving Holy Island, our first destination is Bamburgh Castle, 15.3 miles (24.6 km) away and located at NGR NU1833034971. When King Oswald, who spent his early years in exile on Iona, regained the Northumbria throne and ruled from Bamburgh, he sent to Iona for monks to spread the gospel throughout his lands. Detailed Driving Directions Map.
Our next destination, St. Aidan's Church, is a short walk away in the village of Bamburgh. It was founded in 635 A.D. by St. Aidan on the site of the present church.. No trace of that wooden building can now be seen, other than perhaps a beam in the Baptistry. Tradition has it that St. Aidan was leaning against this beam when he died. The church is located at NGR NU182350.
Our next destination, and the last one for day one of this journey, is St. Cuthbert's Chapel on Inner Farne Island, which is located at NGR NU21803598. Inner Farne is a small island located seven miles to the south of Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and two miles from the mainland off the coast of Northumberland, England, accessible by boat hire at Seahouses, a short 3.5 miles (5.6 km) drive from Bamburgh. In the year 678 A.D., Inner Farne was home to St. Cuthbert. After 12 years as Prior of Lindisfarne, St. Cuthbert retired to Inner Farne until he became Bishop of Lindisfarne in 684 A.D. He returned to Inner Farne when his health deteriorated and died there on March 20, 687 A.D. A church was built on the island in 1370 dedicated to him.
After returning from Inner Farne, it is suggested that you spend the night in Bamburgh, where the second day of our journey begins.
Our first destination for day two is St. Cuthbert's Cave, located 12.2 miles (19.6 km) away at NGR NU059352. To get to he cave reqires a walk from the parking area near a farm. It is an overhanging outcrop of Sandstone rock, supported by an isolated pillar of stone. It is reputed that the monks of Lindisfarne brought St.Cuthbert's body to this place in 875 A.D. following Viking raids on Holy Island. Detailed Driving Directions Map.
Our final destination for day two is Durham Cathedral, located 69.1 miles (113 km) away at NGR NZ2726542170. When the Danes repeatedly harassed Northumbria, the monks left Lindisfarne, taking the body of St. Cuthbert with them. After wandering seven years, they found a resting place at Chester-le-Street in 882 A.D. After repeated attacks again by the Danes, the monks fled to Ripon with St. Cuthbert's body. In 995 A.D., the monks started to return to Chester-le-Street, but St. Cuthbert appeared to them in a vision directing them to a place called Dun Holm, which they had never heard of. One day, just as they were beginning to despair of finding their destination, they overheard a milkmaid asking another whether she had seen a lost cow. The girl replied that she had indeed seen the animal wandering towards Dun Holm. Upon hearing this, the monks followed the milkmaid to the spot and established Durham. Detailed Driving Directions Map.
Our two day journey ends in Durham, a lovely city with much to offer the visitor.
Visitors Information
General tourist information for Northumberland may be found at the Northumberland Tourism website. Visitor information for Durham may be found at the This Is Durham website.
Disclaimer
As of the date of this posting, road directions and conditions are correct. Please check local road conditions, however, for possible changes prior to venturing forth on this journey. A helpful resource for road changes and possible trip interruptions if you are travelling in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland is the AA-UK Route Planner. Another map source that this website uses and that may be useful to you on your journeys is Streetmap UK.
|
