Lindisfarne
Site Significance: 1
Lindisfarne is one of the most important early Christian sites in England, founded in AD 635 when St Aidan, sent from Iona, established a monastery here at the request of King Oswald. The island soon became a centre of missionary activity, learning and prayer, and gave rise to many saints associated with the early English Church, including St Aidan himself and St Cuthbert, whose holy life and miracles are deeply connected with Lindisfarne. The monks here produced the famed Lindisfarne Gospels, a masterpiece of Christian art and devotion. Though the monastery suffered later Viking attacks and was eventually re-established as a priory in the Norman period, the ruins today remain a place of pilgrimage, still marked by centuries of Christian witness. The parish church is the site of the original priory begun by St Aidan.
Important: Lindisfarne is reached by a tidal causeway. Visitors must check the tide times carefully, as the road becomes completely impassable twice a day. Safe crossing times are published daily by Northumberland County Council.
Type of site: Church
Ownership: Church of England
Website (if known): http://www.stmarysholyisland.org
Facilities
Parking: Main car park at the entrance to Holy Island village (pay-and-display).
Accessibility: Level access to the museum and some areas of the priory grounds; some uneven ground outdoors typical of historic sites.
Refreshments:
Accommodation:
Getting there
Address: The Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin
Holy Island
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Northumberland
TD15 2RX
Nearest rail station: Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Co-ordinates: Latitude: 55.66930000 Longitude: -1.80182000