Lindisfarne Castle is a small castle set on a rock high above the sea. It is reached via an ancient causeway and is only accessible when the tide is out. It was built in 1549 after Henry VIII's dissolution of the Monasteries as a fortification to protect against Scottish raiders. Stones from the nearby ruined abbey of 635 were used in its construction, and the castle on its lofty perch is perhaps the most distinct and romantic feature of Lindisfarne.
The castle was taken by the Stuarts after the attack of 1715 but it was quickly returned to the English. Following a lengthy period of non-occupation the castle's guns were removed, and by the end of the 19th-century it had become a sadly neglected ruin.
Sensing the potential of the castle, and with a liking for its spectacular volcanic position, in 1901 Edward Hudson, founder of Country Life magazine bought it from the Crown. He appointed architect Sir Edwin Luytens to oversee the restoration of the castle, instructing him to create a lavish, comfortable interior. The conversion took several years and it was not until 1911 that Gertrude Jekyll was asked to plan the beautiful walled garden which lies to the north of the castle. Once completed the castle provided a perfect retreat where Hudson was able to entertain his friends.
In 1968 the magnificent rooms created for Edward Hudson by Luytens, lay empty once more and the castle was taken over by the National Trust. They have preserved it in its former splendour, and today it has the timeless look and feel of an English country home. Here you can see a mixture of treasures including English and Flemish antique furniture, tapestries and porcelain, whilst at the same time enjoying the castle's beautiful location with sea views stretching to far horizons.
The castle is open to the public.
in the county of Northumberland
(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)Holy Island lies close to Beal and is reached - tides permitting - by a causeway...
a Seaside Town in the county of Northumberland
(1.4 miles, 2.2 km, direction NW)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.....
in the county of Northumberland
(4.3 miles, 6.9 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...
a Picturesque Village in the county of Northumberland
(5.0 miles, 8.1 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...
a Seaside Town in the county of Northumberland
(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction SE)On this coast of sheer perfection, amongst timeless coastal villages, lies Beadnell an historic fishing village...
All towns in Northumberland
The strange, mystic atmosphere of Lindisfarne remains evocative of the time when holy men trod its shores rather than the birds.....
The strange, mystic atmosphere of Lindisfarne remains evocative of the time when holy men trod its shores rather than the birds.....
Bamburgh's huge Norman castle was once the seat of the Kings of Northumbria. It is set on a Basalt outcrop overlooking the.....
Rocky islands, once home to saints, soldiers and famous lighthouse keepers, now a sanctuary for seabirds and seals, and one of.....
Set within romantic grounds, the splendour of Chillingham Castle is matched only by the dramatic grandeur of the surrounding.....
Enjoy this site?
Please help us stay online by making a donation today - thank you for your kind support.
Follow PicturesOfEngland.com on social media and help share the beauty of England....
