Lindisfarne

This was one of my favorite stops - it reminded me of Mont St. Michelle, Lindisfarne is a tidal island off the north-east coast of England also known as Holy Island, the name of the civil parish. According to one place-name authority, the name originates in Old English, and means "island [of the] travellers from Lindsey",indicating that the island was settled from Lindsey, or possibly that its inhabitants travelled there. In 2001 the island had a population of 162. We were able to cross the causeway in and back out before the tide came in and closed off the road for 5 hours!


Lindisfarne Castle is a 16th-century castle and is located in what was once the very volatile border area between England and Scotland. Not only did the English and Scots fight, but the area was frequently attacked by Vikings. The castle was built in 1550, around the time that Lindisfarne Priory (above picture) went out of use, and stones from the priory were used as building material. It is very small by the usual standards, and was more of a fort. The castle sits on the highest point of the island, a whinstone hill called Beblowe. Lindisfarne's position in the North Sea made it vulnerable to attack from Scots and Norsemen, and by Tudor times it was clear there was a need for a stronger fortification. This resulted in the creation of the fort on Beblowe Crag which between 1570 and 1572 formed the basis of the present castle below.