InfoBritain

 

Lindisfarne, Northumberland

Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, is a small tidal island off the coast of Northumberland in north east England. Lindisfarne's long religious history begins in the seventh century, as home of St Aidan, an Irish monk called in by King Oswald of Bernicia in 635AD to help convert his people to Christianity. Lindisfarne became a symbol for the new religion. This status was enhanced in the early 700s, when scribes at Lindisfarne's monastery produced an illustrated Latin copy of the gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John.

The fact that Lindisfarne is a partial island has an interesting symbolism in itself. Typically church architecture mimics castle architecture. This has been true since the earliest Neolithic and Iron Age castles mimicked circular earth banks and ditches of religious shrines. It is as though a desire for spiritual security recalls a desire for physical security seen in castle building. An island, of course, is surrounded by its own natural protective moat of water. In the case of Lindisfarne, a tidal island, the water is only present for part of the day, heightening its symbolic rather than practical quality. In 793AD the symbolic struggle for spiritual security suddenly became very real when the first Viking raid on Britain took place at Lindisfarne. This raid seemingly could not have been better planned to provoke shock and outrage far beyond the physical effect of the raid itself. Churches are supposed to provide sanctuary. A group of people tacitly agree to endow certain places with symbolic power. The shock comes when others, who do not have a part in this agreement, simply walk through the illusory defences, and start taking silverware.

 

 

 

Priory Ruins at Lindisfarne

Later in history, in the early 1570s, an actual, rather than symbolic, castle was built at Lindisfarne. It was designed during a period of war with Scotland, to protect English ships anchored in the harbour. When James VI of Scotland became James I of England, the military need for the castle largely disappeared. But inspite of James's best efforts narrow minded people in both Scotland and England continued to fuel tensions, and Lindisfarne Castle was kept garrisoned until the nineteenth century.

In the early twentieth century Lindisfarne Castle was converted into a holiday home by Edwin Lutyens. Lutyens also designed Castle Drogo, that strange twentieth century castle on Dartmoor, where all the military purpose of castles disappears into historical romance. Lindisfarne Castle is now described as "romantic", as though a military fortification can also be a place of peace. These contradictions have always been present, in the long history of architectural parallels between castles and churches. Lutyens' long-time colleague Gertrude Jeykell added to Lindisfarne Castle's romance with a garden built near the castle.

The island is also popular today with walkers, photographers, yachtsmen, bird watchers, fishermen, and artists. There are only about forty rooms available for guest accommodation on the island itself, and with around half a million visitors a year, booking ahead is essential. A wider range of accommodation is available on the mainland. Berwick-upon-Tweed is the nearest large town. You can use this Mainland Accommodation Near Lindisfarne link for more details.

 

Opening Times: Lindisfarne Castle: 12th March to 30th October, Tuesday to Sunday. Opening times vary due to tide pattern but always open 12 midday - 3pm. Contact the property for detailed opening times.

Open bank holiday Mondays and seven days a week in August.

The National Trust flag flies only when the castle is open. For tide tables and detailed opening times send a self addressed envelope to Lindisfarne Castle.

The garden is open all year Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm.

Address: Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 2SH

Directions: The causeway to Lindisfarne turns off the A1 near Beal in Northumberland. The island can only be reached by a causeway which is covered by the tide twice a day. Take careful note of tide timetables. Click here for an interactive map centred on Lindisfarne.

Access: For Lindisfarne Castle - there is a drop off point, but this is a difficult property for those with mobility problems. There is a shuttle bus from the car park which runs frequently. Braille and large print guides are provided.

Contact:

telephone: 01289 389244

e-mail: lindisfarne@nationaltrust.org.uk

web site: http://www.lindisfarne.org.uk/

Share