Lindisfarne Castle walk
This short walk around Lindisfarne Castle takes in the 19th-century lime kilns, the castle headland and the walled garden designed by horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll. There are options to shorten the route and to cut out the section with steps for improved accessibility.
Total steps: 8
Total steps: 8
Start point
Lindisfarne Castle property entrance gate, grid ref NU136417
Step 1
Go through the gate into the field, pausing to read the information board about the castle site before deciding on your next step. For the longer route, follow the road to the left, which will take you on ground level towards the lime kilns. For a shorter route that avoids steps, go up the hill to the right, which will take you past the castle entrance to the kilns at Step 6 on the map.
Step 2
There's another choice of directions here. To your left is the path to the garden, but beware, the field can be very muddy or indeed totally flooded, hence its name, The Stank. For a short detour, the steps to the right lead to the castle, or you can continue straight ahead to Step 3. Please note these steps are currently closed. Continue straight on and take the path up to the wagonway, next to the bridge.
Step 3
Pause here to take in the temporary pond to your left. If you're lucky, you may spot swans paddling and see the castle's reflection in the surface of the water.
Step 4
After the pond, you'll arrive at a small bridge. By passing under it you can get directly to the kilns, although you'll see it's also possible to walk up onto the wagonway itself. If you do continue under the bridge, you'll loop round and cross it later.
Step 5
The massive lime kilns now appear on your right. After viewing them, take the steps to Step 6 on the map.
Step 6
Walk past the smaller Little Beblowe Crag, with several trackways and sidings running around it. The route across the bridge follows the line of the trackway to the Nessend limestone quarry.
Step 7
From here, you can go through the gate and walk about a mile (1.6km) to the quarry, which is at the heart of the nature reserve. There are also various routes back to the village. Following the inside line of the wall will take you to the walled garden and the final Step on the route map.
Step 8
The garden here is in full bloom in early summer but still colourful at other times of the year. When you're ready, follow the route round to your left and back to your starting point.
End point
Lindisfarne Castle property entrance gate, grid ref NU136417
Trail map
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Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 2SH
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