Holy Island, Berwick Upon Tweed

[Golden Eagle]

Holy Island is one of those places I've always wanted to visit, it has some kind of mysterious pull to me. I don't know much about it, I've always wanted to just go and see what's there for myself rather than doing what a guide book says.

Anyway. In a couple of weeks time, I'm going there. Has anyone been, and is there anywhere in particular on the island that you'd recommend visiting?

Thanks x

[Golden Eagle]

*bump*

Anyone feel like contributing here? At all?

I'm sure a few people on here must have been...

[Claer]

I visited Lindisfarne once - quite a number of years ago. It was a very good trip. Of course there is the Priory, castle and the visitors centre. The journey out along the causeway had stunning views. The mead is excellent - so a good strong bag or box for bring bottles back will be required if you are partial to that brew! Due to the tides, most people concentrate on "doing the village", especially when there just for the day. However, what I remember most is it having some of the best ever rock pools I've ever visited! The low spring tides are usually the best time for this. If you are interested in birdlife, Lindisfarne is host to some good populations of farmland and sea birds.
If nature watching interests you and you have time in your schedule - a boat trip out to the Farne Islands is also well worth it.
Hope you have a wonderful trip.

[Boar]

Have just got back from the Farnes and I can heartily add to that recommendation. This is the best time of year to go. But take an umbrella or stick to guard against the diving common terns! All you have to do is hold it above your head, they attack the highest point, and this saves your scalp. Boats to take you there can be found at the harbour in Seahouses.

[Eilthireach]

Hello!

Lindisfarne is one of the most fascinating places I ever visited. It is not called 'Holy' Island for nothing. I would rank it equally with Iona in Scotland. Both islands have been spiritual centres in their time whose radiance and importance could be felt in all of Western Europe.
I recommend to see as much of the island as possible. The museum at the visitor centre is very good and enlightening. There are some nice shops in the village.

Depending on your budget, I could recommend the 'Bamburgh Castle Inn' in the village of Seahouses for lodging and pub/dining.

On the way there you will pass Bamburgh Castle which is (at least for a continental European) the epitome of an English castle and an extremely impressive sight inside and out. According to myth is is the castle of Lancelot of Arthurian fame. Bamburgh was reconstructed, but there is still a great sense of history up there.

Another big castle in the area is Alnwick castle, which I found despite its formidable impression from the outside, a little disappointing from the inside. They charge you a lot of money and besides some gardens and several state rooms there is not much to be seen. Of course, like in the rest of this message, this is my personal opinion.
If you're a book lover, Alnwick has one of the world's largest second hand bookstores in an old station building.

Um, you could also make a nice daytrip from the Bamburgh/Lindisfarne area towards Hadrian's Wall which is also very interesting both from the history and the landscape/nature of the area. Northumbria is cool, it has a taste of wilderness and outdoors and such.

Have a nice trip!

Eilthireach.

[Womble]

Is it possible to camp on Lindisfarne? I looked at a few websites, but it only seems to show B&B accommodation. I'd love to go up there to do some photography.

[Golden Eagle]

cool, thanks guys!

We're cycling from the lake district/west coast, across to Hadrian's Wall and then finishing at Berwick - so we'll just be doing a day-trip to Lindesfarne (yup, going across the causeway by bike). Seems like an appropriate place to finish an epic week.

Rather excited now...

[Vapour Trail]

Possibly one of the reasons why Holy Island may be so sacred is that it would appear to be the terminus point for an earth energy line that travels up from St.Catherine's Hill in Sussex, through Arbor Low stone circle in Derbyshire and which ends up at Lindisfarne.

'Serpenteer' - a reader on my blog 'Hedge Druid' - recently validated this information by dowsing it on a visit thee, and pinpointed the exact location of the line. The comments attached to this blog post (http://www.hedgedruid.com/?p=4554) give you the detail if you are interested in that kind of thing. Might make your stay more enlightening?

Personally, I can't wait to go there myself and find out why it is so special. Hope you enjoy your visit and have fine weather for it.