Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island

Lindisfarne Castle is a 16th century castle located on Holy Island on the Northumberland coast, The small fort like castle was built in 1550 on the orders of Henry VIII, around the time that Lindisfarne Priory went out of use, and stones from the priory were used as building material.

Elizabeth I had work carried out to strengthen it and provide gun platforms. When James I came to power and combined the Scottish and English thrones, and the need for the castle declined, although it was still garrisoned from Berwick and protected the small harbour.

It was occupied very briefly by Jacobite rebels in the 18th century, but only for about 24 hours before being retaken by soldiers from Berwick.

The site was used as a coastguard station after 1819 following the withdrawal of the guns.

Sir Edward Lutyens restored the castle as a home in 1902 and it then passed through several other owners before being given to the National Trust in 1944.

Further information and admission times and prices can be found on the National Trust website:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-lindisfarnecastle

Holy Island itself is accessible from the mainland by car/bus at low tide by means of a causeway. The safe crossing times can be found on the Northumberland County Council website:

http://www2.northumberland.gov.uk/PSCM/HolyIsland.asp




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