Lindisfarne Priory visit
Holy Island, Northumberland
- Independent UK guide
- Free to use
- Affiliate links clearly labelled
- Updated October 2026
What to expect
Holy Island, also called Lindisfarne, is a tidal island on the Northumberland coast, reached by a causeway that is covered at high tide. The ruins of the 12th-century priory stand on the site of an Anglo-Saxon monastery where the Lindisfarne Gospels were made, and where the first Viking raid on England took place in 793. The island also has a castle, dunes, a village and good mead.
Tips before you go
- Always check the safe crossing times, because vehicles are caught by the tide every year.
- Parking is outside the village, so you walk in.
- Take a windproof layer, as the island is exposed.
Book or plan it
Prices and availability change, so compare. These are affiliate links.
Where to base yourself
Castles, empty beaches, dark skies and Hadrian's Wall
A weekend in Berwick-upon-TweedNorthumberlandEngland's northernmost town, with Elizabethan walls and three famous bridges
What to pack
Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
More kit guides: Wet-weather gear Walking gear Beach and coast gear
Related activities
Bamburgh Castle is a huge fortress on a rocky outcrop above a vast sandy beach, with a history stretching back to the Anglo-Saxons.
Farne Islands puffin tripSeahouses, NorthumberlandThe Farne Islands, off the Northumberland coast, are home to tens of thousands of seabirds, including puffins that nest between roughly April and July.
Hadrian's Wall walkNorthumberlandHadrian's Wall Path is an 84-mile National Trail across northern England, but you can enjoy short sections in a weekend.
Frequently asked questions
When can I cross to Holy Island?
The causeway is passable for about three hours either side of low tide. Safe crossing times are published online and at the start of the road.
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices, opening times and conditions change, so check with the provider before you go. Report an error or share a tip.