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© Joe Cornish
The Tudor fort stands majestically on its rocky crag overlooking Holy Island harbour
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© Catherine Atkinson
Upturned former herring boats make unusual storage sheds
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© Catherine Atkinson
The wind indicator on the panel in the Entrance Hall dates from 1913 and still works
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© Catherine Atkinson
The Castle Point lime kilns are some of the best preserved in the country
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© Colin Smith
The Dining Room shows how Lutyens' work blended with the older building
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© Nick Lewis
The two massive guns sited here protected Holy Island harbour
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© Nick Lewis
Explore the headland below the castle, looking out towards the Farnes
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© Nick Lewis
Two fulmars guarding a nest in one of the castle waterspouts
Romantic 16th-century castle with spectacular views
Dramatically perched on a rocky crag and accessible via a three-mile causeway at low tide only, the island castle presents an exciting and alluring aspect.
Originally a Tudor fort and part of the national defence for three centuries, it was converted into a private house in 1903 by the young Edwin Lutyens. The small rooms are full of intimate decoration and design, with windows looking down upon the charming walled garden planned by Gertrude Jekyll.
The property also has extremely well-preserved 19th-century lime kilns which are among the largest in the country.
Before visiting please check the tide timetable to see safe crossing times for the Holy Island causeway and the latest opening times for the castle.
Don't miss
- Discover how old the castle is – Elizabethan or Edwardian?
- Specialist Gertrude Jekyll garden, explore the 1911 planting plan
- See the castle's internal wind indicator, which still works
- Don't miss the massive 19th-century lime kilns on the headland
- Invigorating seaside walks, with rock pools to explore
- Search for wild flowers and spot seabirds and seals
Holy Island
You can read through our information about Holy Island before visiting and print off our maps and aerial photos to help you when you're here.
For further information visit www.lindisfarne.org.uk
Up to the castle...
Once you've arrived on Holy Island, there are many things to consider before you make your way up to the castle, not just the tides for getting back to the mainland.
At this time of year...
- We are now open for the season
- Give us a ring to check opening times and causeway crossing times
- Visiting in the spring really is a unique experience
- Enjoy this evocative place at a relatively quiet time of year
- Spot some seals- they often swim below the castle at high tide
- See our new plaque celebrating Gertrude's 1911 garden plan
