Things to do & see on Holy Island
Whether you spend a few hours, a day or a fortnight, there is plenty to do and see on Holy Island, and a lot of it is free.
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Free
Landmarks
Walks
Courses
Exhibitions
Churches
All listings
Every year in September, this crowd-funded archaeology project, led by experts from Durham University, comes to Holy Island. If you’ve ever wanted to be part Read more…
This striking structure, built between 1801 and 1810 by Trinity House, is one of the earliest daymarks built in Britain (possibly the earliest one). A Read more…
These tasting experiences let you try out the spirits made on Holy Island by 793 Spirits. They are held in the plush Hell & High Read more…
As you walk from the village towards Lindisfarne Castle, you’ll see the harbour to your right. Its most famous feature is the old upturned herring Read more…
Holy Island Hikes offer you an opportunity to be guided by island local Mary Gunn, well known for her depth of knowledge about the island, Read more…
While on the island, you have a fantastic opportunity to book a treatment with Mary Gunn, who is an experienced Remedial and Sports Massage Therapist. Read more…
The Holy Island Marathon takes place annually in May. The starting point is Burnmouth in Scotland, from where the route takes runners to the coastal Read more…
Find your zen and unwind with Karen and a lovely bunch of people, every Monday in Holy Island’s Crossman Hall. Both locals and visitors are Read more…
The striking landmark that to many represents Holy Island was built in the mid-1500s and renovated by in the 20th century by Country Life Magazine Read more…
Follow in the footsteps of saints to the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory, founded by St Aidan in 635 AD in which the Lindisfarne Gospels were Read more…
This self-guided circular walk, created by the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, takes you through eight posts highlighting different aspects of the reserve. It is three Read more…
This circular five-mile walk takes 2-3 hours and gives you a real sense of the island’s natural beauty, beyond the popular tourist hotspots. You walk Read more…
Veteran Northumberland guide Patrick Norris leads two walks involving Holy Island. The first is the Pilgrim’s Way, which by necessity must be done when the Read more…
Award-winning photographer and island resident, Emma Rothera, offers individual and group workshops to help you improve your skills, both creatively and technically in the stunning Read more…
The Pilgrims Ultra epic trail running challenge was launched in 2021. It takes place annually in September and is a 50k, 100k and 100 mile Read more…
You can often spot grey seals (and the occasional harbour seal) off Holy Island’s shores between the end of February and the end of October. Read more…
St Aidan’s, the island’s Catholic church was built in 1957. It is open to visitors, but masses are held depending on tides and visiting priests. Read more…
St Cuthbert’s Centre is at the heart of the Island, offering a welcome to many different visitors, and a prayerful space for individuals or groups. Read more…
St Cuthbert Island (also known as Hobthrush island) is located just off Holy Island. As the tide rises, it becomes completely separated from Holy Island Read more…
St Mary’s is the island’s parish church and the most active. It is open daily from 11am to 4pm for visits and private prayer. Read more…
This delightful walled garden was designed by gardening guru Gertrude Jekyll in 1911 for her friend Edwin Lutyens, while he was transforming Lindisfarne Castle into Read more…
This elevated rocky ridge formed of hard whinstone (dolerite) was created by magma 295 million years ago. It rises above the village and is known Read more…
The Old Lifeboat House (open to the public, free), was restored in 2015, 50 years after the last lifeboat was taken out of service on Read more…
The kilns at Castle Point were used to create quicklime in the 19th century, by adding lime and coal in layers into the kilns and Read more…
This pretty garden is easily overlooked, but well worth a visit. Its design is inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels, the world-famous illuminated 8th century manuscript Read more…
The centre includes an exhibition about the island, which presents a facsimile of The Lindisfarne gospels, information and exhibits about the Viking attack, the island’s Read more…
This bird hide by the waters of the Lough, allows birdwatchers and visitors to view our winged visitors without disturbing them. From waterfowl and ducks Read more…
If you think of Holy Island’s shape as a chicken drumstick, the Snook is its handle and the first part of the island you drive Read more…
Walking the ancient Pilgrim’s Way, following the poles that lead you from the mainland to the island is a popular experience. You can either Read more…
This striking building is open to the public as a way of observing the wildlife on the island and learning about its rich nature. It Read more…
Free
This striking structure, built between 1801 and 1810 by Trinity House, is one of the earliest daymarks built in Britain (possibly the earliest one). A Read more…
As you walk from the village towards Lindisfarne Castle, you’ll see the harbour to your right. Its most famous feature is the old upturned herring Read more…
This self-guided circular walk, created by the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, takes you through eight posts highlighting different aspects of the reserve. It is three Read more…
This circular five-mile walk takes 2-3 hours and gives you a real sense of the island’s natural beauty, beyond the popular tourist hotspots. You walk Read more…
You can often spot grey seals (and the occasional harbour seal) off Holy Island’s shores between the end of February and the end of October. Read more…
St Cuthbert Island (also known as Hobthrush island) is located just off Holy Island. As the tide rises, it becomes completely separated from Holy Island Read more…
St Mary’s is the island’s parish church and the most active. It is open daily from 11am to 4pm for visits and private prayer. Read more…
This delightful walled garden was designed by gardening guru Gertrude Jekyll in 1911 for her friend Edwin Lutyens, while he was transforming Lindisfarne Castle into Read more…
This elevated rocky ridge formed of hard whinstone (dolerite) was created by magma 295 million years ago. It rises above the village and is known Read more…
The Old Lifeboat House (open to the public, free), was restored in 2015, 50 years after the last lifeboat was taken out of service on Read more…
The kilns at Castle Point were used to create quicklime in the 19th century, by adding lime and coal in layers into the kilns and Read more…
This pretty garden is easily overlooked, but well worth a visit. Its design is inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels, the world-famous illuminated 8th century manuscript Read more…
This bird hide by the waters of the Lough, allows birdwatchers and visitors to view our winged visitors without disturbing them. From waterfowl and ducks Read more…
If you think of Holy Island’s shape as a chicken drumstick, the Snook is its handle and the first part of the island you drive Read more…
Walking the ancient Pilgrim’s Way, following the poles that lead you from the mainland to the island is a popular experience. You can either Read more…
This striking building is open to the public as a way of observing the wildlife on the island and learning about its rich nature. It Read more…
Landmarks
This striking structure, built between 1801 and 1810 by Trinity House, is one of the earliest daymarks built in Britain (possibly the earliest one). A Read more…
The striking landmark that to many represents Holy Island was built in the mid-1500s and renovated by in the 20th century by Country Life Magazine Read more…
Follow in the footsteps of saints to the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory, founded by St Aidan in 635 AD in which the Lindisfarne Gospels were Read more…
St Cuthbert Island (also known as Hobthrush island) is located just off Holy Island. As the tide rises, it becomes completely separated from Holy Island Read more…
St Mary’s is the island’s parish church and the most active. It is open daily from 11am to 4pm for visits and private prayer. Read more…
This elevated rocky ridge formed of hard whinstone (dolerite) was created by magma 295 million years ago. It rises above the village and is known Read more…
The Old Lifeboat House (open to the public, free), was restored in 2015, 50 years after the last lifeboat was taken out of service on Read more…
The kilns at Castle Point were used to create quicklime in the 19th century, by adding lime and coal in layers into the kilns and Read more…
Walks
This striking structure, built between 1801 and 1810 by Trinity House, is one of the earliest daymarks built in Britain (possibly the earliest one). A Read more…
Holy Island Hikes offer you an opportunity to be guided by island local Mary Gunn, well known for her depth of knowledge about the island, Read more…
This self-guided circular walk, created by the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, takes you through eight posts highlighting different aspects of the reserve. It is three Read more…
This circular five-mile walk takes 2-3 hours and gives you a real sense of the island’s natural beauty, beyond the popular tourist hotspots. You walk Read more…
Veteran Northumberland guide Patrick Norris leads two walks involving Holy Island. The first is the Pilgrim’s Way, which by necessity must be done when the Read more…
Walking the ancient Pilgrim’s Way, following the poles that lead you from the mainland to the island is a popular experience. You can either Read more…
Courses
Find your zen and unwind with Karen and a lovely bunch of people, every Monday in Holy Island’s Crossman Hall. Both locals and visitors are Read more…
Award-winning photographer and island resident, Emma Rothera, offers individual and group workshops to help you improve your skills, both creatively and technically in the stunning Read more…
Exhibitions
The striking landmark that to many represents Holy Island was built in the mid-1500s and renovated by in the 20th century by Country Life Magazine Read more…
Follow in the footsteps of saints to the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory, founded by St Aidan in 635 AD in which the Lindisfarne Gospels were Read more…
The centre includes an exhibition about the island, which presents a facsimile of The Lindisfarne gospels, information and exhibits about the Viking attack, the island’s Read more…
Churches
St Aidan’s, the island’s Catholic church was built in 1957. It is open to visitors, but masses are held depending on tides and visiting priests. Read more…
St Cuthbert’s Centre is at the heart of the Island, offering a welcome to many different visitors, and a prayerful space for individuals or groups. Read more…
St Mary’s is the island’s parish church and the most active. It is open daily from 11am to 4pm for visits and private prayer. Read more…