History

From fort to house

Lindisfarne Castle with the ruined Osborne's fort in the foreground © National Trust/David Watson

The Castle on Beblowe crag was not the only fortification on the Island

© National Trust/David Watson

Although Lindisfarne is now open to visitors as a Lutyens-designed Edwardian house, there is so much more to the place than that. In fact, it was a holiday home for only about 70 of its over 450 year history.

Lutyens moulded the old fort into a comfortable home, and so some features were lost in the process. Many though have survived.

Ned and Bumps

Detail of a Lutyens door latch in Lindisfarne Castle © Nick Lewis

The recent history of the Castle is dominated by the design genius of Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll along with the man who first introduced them and later brought them to Holy Island, Edward Hudson.

The Garrison

Soldiers were stationed in the Castle for three quarters of its history © Northumberland County Council

Lindisfarne was a only a holiday home for around 70 years in the twentieth century. For over 300 years though, it was a garrisoned fort manned by soldiers.

Did you know?

  • The first fort on the Island was probably east of the present Castle
  • There was almost certainly nothing on this site in the Middles Ages...
  • Apart from a signal beacon, part of a wider network of communications
  • Much of the Fort was built with stone 'recycled' from the old Priory
  • A third fort was built near the present harbour, but soon abandoned.
  • The Fort was renovated in 1882, just 10 years before closure in 1893
  • The Fort protected the 'last harbour' in England south of the border
  • Sir Edward de Stein gave the Castle to the National Trust in 1944

Edward Hudson

Hudson in his trademark cap, standing outside the Castle front door © National Trust/Nick Lewis

Hudson first acquired the Castle in 1902

© National Trust/Nick Lewis

One of the most significant figures in the Castle's history was Edward Hudson. The founder of Country Life magazine, Hudson commissioned Lutyens' renovation of the Castle, probably saving it from total ruination.

Origins on the old frontier

The Lower Battery gun emplacements at Lindisfarne Castle © National Trust/Nick Lewis

Don't tell anyone, but Lindisfarne isn't really a Castle. By the time it was built in 1570, castles were obsolete as cannons could mow down their walls in no time, just ask Bamburgh.

 

Current research

Yeomans and Bland Lower Battery plan, Lindisfarne Castle, 1883 © Tom Addyman

We are currently looking with more detail at the Victorian Fort building that was transformed by Lutyens. As well as the built evidence, we have census records and documents in the local record office to investigate.

Hudson's housekeepers

Jack and Hannah Lilburn in the Kitchen © National Trust/Nick Lewis

The Castle had three private owners before the Trust took it on. The constant through that period was the Lilburn Family; one of the oldest Island families and first employed by Hudson as caretakers in 1902.

The Castle and Priory

A detail from the Buck print of Lindisfarne Castle © National Trust/Nick Lewis

Many tales are told about the Priory and Castle's relationship; the most notable being that the Castle was first built using stone 'recycled' from the demolished Priory.