This captivating photo showcases the historic Lindisfarne Castle perched on Holy Island, located off the northeast coast of England. The image captures the serene beauty of the island, with its iconic castle silhouetted against a backdrop of soft blue skies and gentle, sweeping clouds. The lush green foreground and rugged terrain provide a natural frame to the castle, emphasizing its unique location and historical charm. The text overlay, “Strolling on the Holy Island,” invites exploration of this tranquil and spiritually rich destination, renowned for its cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes. ()

In 793 CE, the Vikings invaded Lindisfarne, the Holy Island in what is now England. This was the center of Christianity in the area during this era. This historical attack has recently been re-enacted on the screen on popular shows such as “Vikings” and “The Last Kingdom.” You can visit this historical island today.

The Holy Island features several restaurants, pubs, cafes, the famous Priory and a castle. However, you can only visit during certain hours of the day because the road to and from the island gets too flooded with water to safely cross over. Thankfully, the day I visited the road was open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We left around 3 p.m. just to be safe.

There is a car park located at the front of the island for visitors which is where it is requested you park. Keep in mind that the island has citizens who live on it year-round, so be courteous when parking and walking around.

After we parked, we walked to the outdoor Pilgrim’s Café where I had a delicious sticky toffee cake with my coffee. We then made our way to the Priory and Priory Museum. Unfortunately, the museum was closed because it is only open on limited days during the winter months. However, we still got to see the outside and walk around the cathedral.

This photo collage highlights the charm of Holy Island. The first image showcases a colorful map of the island, marking key landmarks like Lindisfarne Castle and guiding visitors to explore its beauty. The second image features indulgent desserts and lattes from the Pilgrims Café, offering a delightful taste of local hospitality. The final image depicts a rustic gold-lettered signpost covered in lichen, pointing to historic sites such as St. Mary’s Church and the Priory Museum, with stone buildings in the background. Together, these elements capture the island’s history, flavors, and inviting atmosphere. ()

We then walked out to the castle area which provided a breathtaking view and pleasant stroll. Again, unfortunately, we didn’t get to see the inside of the castle due to the limited operating hours, but the view on the walk and from the castle was worth it.

There were several restaurants and pubs that were open and any one of them would be a great stop, especially since they had central heating, and it was 30-something degrees outside. There was also a mead and gift shop that was open that provided mead tastings- all flavors of which I can recommend.

The Holy Island in winter provides some great views, just be sure to look up the safe times to cross on the Northumberland County Council website. For the full experience, go during the warmer seasons when the castle and Priory will have less restricted opening hours.