Pictures of Lindisfarne
About Lindisfarne
Each day for several hours the beautiful island of Lindisfarne is cut off by the tide from the mainland. Tide permitting it can be reached via a causeway, otherwise it is reached by boat.
This is a peaceful, holy place where little causes disturbance save for the haunting cry of the curlew and the noise from the huge population of wildfowl and wading birds who use the island as a feeding ground. Holy Island's sands and Fenham Flats now form Lindisfarne Nature Reserve.
St.Aiden first came here as a monk in the year 643 to found a monastery at the behest of King Oswald of Northumbria. This was destroyed by the Danes in the 9th-century, but somehow the famous Lindisfarne Gospels of the 7th-century survived. This superb masterpiece of English-Celtic art now lies with the British Museum.
Visitors to Lindisfarne can expect to see the romantic ruins of Lindisfarne Priory, and perched on a steep rock is the stunning outline of Lindisfarne Castle, built to defend against the Scottish raiders in around 1550 but which fortunately has never had to fire a shot. The castle was a ruinous fortification until it was rebuilt by noted architect Edwin Luytens at the turn of the 20th-century.
On the sands surrounding Lindisfarne there is usually a scattering of old fishing boats and quaint fishing huts can still be seen, these are used for storage by local fishermen who go out in search of lobster and crab. Fishing for herring was once central to the life of the islanders, but recent years has seen a decline in the yield from the sea.
This is now mostly a place for visitors who enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and take pleasure in the sight of the island's ancient cottages tumbled together in narrow street's and squares.
The real focus of Lindisfarne is that of a place of pilgrimage, this is endorsed by the stunning statue of St. Aiden and by the churches and residential centres for Christian worship, fellowship and prayer.
There is a Heritage centre featuring the story of the Lindisfarne Gospels through a series of exhibits, here you can learn a little of the island culture. Souvenirs can be purchased from the Heritage gift shop.
St.Aiden's Winery lies at the centre of the village, it makes the unique Lindisfarne Mead which is renowned all over the world as a "nectar of the god's" it is a delicious blend of honey, herbs and white grapes fortified with fine spirit, it is said to be a real aphrodisiac!
That Lindisfarne is a very special place there is no doubt, all who visit are touched by the sheer joy of the place and its wonderful spiritual atmosphere.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Lindisfarne
| Lindisfarne Priory | (0.9 miles, 1.4 km) | Pictures |
| Lindisfarne Abbey | (1.2 miles, 2.0 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Lindisfarne Castle | (1.4 miles, 2.2 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Bamburgh Lighthouse | (5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Bamburgh Castle | (6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Farne Lighthouse | (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Guile Point East Lighthouse | (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Ord House Country Park | (10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Berwick Castle | (10.5 miles, 17.0 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Chillingham Park | (11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Chillingham Castle | (11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Ford Castle | (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Etal Castle | (12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Norham Castle | (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Dunstanburgh Castle | (15.6 miles, 25.0 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
All attractions in LindisfarneAll attractions in NorthumberlandComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Lindisfarne
Holy Island in the county of Northumberland (0.7 miles, 1.2 km)
Holy Island lies close to Beal and is reached - tides permitting - by a causeway.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Budle Bay in the county of Northumberland (5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction S)
Budle Bay is a wonderous place, the shallow estuary is almost totally enclosed, and it is used by many species of wildlife as winter roosting territory.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Bamburgh in the county of Northumberland (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction SE)
Bamburgh, is known as the ancient capital of the Northumbrian coast and it is home to probably the finest Castle in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Berwick-upon-Tweed in the county of Northumberland (9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction NW)
Standing on an entirely Scottish river, it is no wonder that the most frequently asked question concerning Berwick-upon-Tweed remains, is it Scottish or is it English?
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Beadnell in the county of Northumberland (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction SE)
On this coast of sheer perfection, amongst timeless coastal villages, lies Beadnell an historic fishing village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Ford in the county of Northumberland (11.0 miles, 17.8 km, direction W)
Ford lies in an area of great natural beauty. It is in close proximity to the beautiful coastline of Linisfarne and Holy Island and is surrounded by old and pretty villages
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Wooler in the county of Northumberland (12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction SW)
Here in these high upland regions you feel immediately relaxed, at ease and although Wooler bustles with life, it has a timeless quality where you feel a world away from civilisation.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Kirknewton in the county of Northumberland (14.9 miles, 24.0 km, direction SW)
Today, this appealing village has become a tourist destination to which travellers and holiday makers are drawn for the dramatic landscape and spectacular views.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Burnmouth in the county of Borders (15.2 miles, 24.4 km, direction NW)
The delights of Burnmouth belong to when it was a simple fishing harbour where the villagers depended upon the gifts from the sea for their livelihood.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Craster in the county of Northumberland (16.7 miles, 26.9 km, direction SE)
Craster is a quiet and unspoiled fishing village in Northumberland, famous for its Kippers and beautiful cliff scenery
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Coldstream in the county of Borders (17.4 miles, 28.0 km, direction W)
This is a small town where centuries ago warring Scottish and English armies forded the River Tweed.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Alnwick in the county of Northumberland (19.0 miles, 30.5 km, direction S)
Set magnificently in the heart of the beautiful northern countryside is the great castle that has dominated the life and times of Alnwick for centuries.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
St Abbs in the county of Borders (19.5 miles, 31.3 km, direction NW)
In an area of startling prettiness the clear blue waters washing spectacular sandstone cliffs come as no surprise, for this is a coast renowned for it's beauty.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Alnmouth in the county of Northumberland (21.7 miles, 34.9 km, direction S)
Alnmouth lies on a coastline famed for its outstanding natural beauty, thus one of its greatest pleasures is found in wandering the coastal paths enjoying uninterrupted sea and coastal views.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in NorthumberlandComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Berwick-upon-Tweed Station | (10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction NW) |
| Chathill Station | (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction S) |
| Newcastle International Airport | (44.9 miles, 72.2 km, direction S) |
| New Bridge Street | (49.4 miles, 79.5 km, direction S) |
| A1(M) Junction 65 | (54.5 miles, 87.7 km, direction S) |
| Edinburgh Airport | (62.6 miles, 100.7 km, direction W) |
| Lindisfarne to London | (296.7 miles, 477.3 km, direction S) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Lindisfarne
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Lindisfarne center |
| The Victoria Hotel | (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction SE) |
| Kings Arms Hotel | (9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction NW) |
| Ryecroft Hotel | (12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction SW) |
| Tankerville Arms Hotel | (12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction SW) |
| Tillmouth Park Country House Hotel | (14.6 miles, 23.5 km, direction W) |
| The Masons Arms | (16.0 miles, 25.8 km, direction S) |
| The Wheatsheaf Restaurant With Rooms | (17.9 miles, 28.8 km, direction W) |
| All hotels in Lindisfarne |
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