Starting in the small Northumberland village of Beal, across the water from Holy Island, this one-day journey takes in the famous monastic site and priory of Lindisfarne. We also visit St. Mary's Church on the island and, when the tides permit, walk to St. Cuthbert's Island just off the shore. We end this journey by staying overnight on the island.
Sites to be Visited
Lindisfarne Monastic Site and Priory (Holy Island)
St. Mary the Virgin Church (Holy Island)
St. Cuthbert's Island (Hobthrush Isle)
Journey to the Lindisfarne Sites
Lindisfarne is linked to the mainland by a long causeway. It is accessible by car twice each day, when the tide sweeps out to the North Sea and the road can be driven. Here are two webpages that you should check before undertaking this journey:
General Travel Information
Tide Tables
Our journey starts in the village of Beal where, at Beal Point, the Lindisfarne Causeway begins.
Our first destination is the famed ruin of Lindisfarne Priory, near where a monastery was founded in 635 A.D. by St. Aidan, a monk from the monastery of Iona off the west coast of Scotland, at the request of King Oswald of Northumbria. Lindisfarne became the base for the conversion of northern England to Christianity. The Priory was built in the 12th Century by Benedictine monks from Durham. The priory is located at NGR NU129420. It is 4.9 miles (7.9 km) to the Priory from Beal Point. Detailed Driving Directions Map.
Our next destination is St. Mary the Virgin Church, located a short walk away at NGR NU125417. The church is the oldest building on Holy Island and the only building that retains work from the Saxon period. It is largely a 13th Century creation built over earlier 11th Century fragments. It has been speculated that the church was built around St. Aidan's wooden church, and that St. Aidan worshipped on this site in the early years of Lindisfarne.
Our last destination, St. Cuthbert's Isle, also known as Hobthrush Isle, is just offshore and is accessible at low tide. St. Cuthbert used this small island as a retreat for a short time before moving to the more secluded Inner Farne Island in the North Sea off the coast from Bamburgh. St. Cuthbert's Isle is located at NGR NU12304161.
Returning from St. Cuthbert's island, it is suggested that you spend the night on Holy Island, which has much more to offer in hospitality.
Visitors Information
Visitors information on Lindisfarne may be found at the The Holy Island of Lindisfarne website. General tourist information for Northumberland may be found at the Visit Northumberland 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.
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