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.
Near to
Lindisfarne CastleStart point
Lindisfarne Castle property entrance gate, grid ref NU136417Trail information
*The route is on cobbled roads and grass paths, with muddy areas. For further details, see Terrain section.
**See trail directions for shorter routes without steps. For further details, see Access section.
***Dogs must be kept on leads and are not allowed inside the castle. For further details, see Facilities section.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Lindisfarne Castle property entrance gate, grid ref NU136417
Stage 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.
Stage 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 (please note these steps are currently closed) or you can continue straight ahead to Step 3. . Continue straight on and take the path up to the wagonway, next to the bridge.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 5
The massive lime kilns now appear on your right. After viewing them, take the steps to Step 6 on the map.
Lindisfarne Castle's lime kilns | © National Trust/Paul Stevenson Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 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
The Lindisfarne Castle walk, Northumberland | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Newton Pool coastal walk
Enjoy a gentle walk alongside the Northumberland coast with plenty of wildlife-spotting opportunities along the way.
Craster to Low Newton coastal walk
Enjoy miles of magnificent views along the Northumberland coast with this walking route from the fishing village of Craster to Low Newton by the Sea.
Dunstanburgh Castle ghost walk
If you'd like a spooky ghost walk in an isolated setting, look no further than this stretch of Northumberland coastline, dominated by the magnificent ruin of Dunstanburgh Castle.
Get in touch
Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 2SH
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
Shopping at Lindisfarne Castle
Discover the wide range of products available in National Trust shop in the village on Holy Island, from gifts and homeware to plants and gardening tools.
Things to do outdoors at Lindisfarne Castle
Uncover the rich history and natural beauty surrounding Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island. Wander through Gertrude Jekyll’s beautifully restored walled garden, and step back in time as you explore historic boat sheds and lime kilns—remnants of the island’s fascinating industrial past.
Family fun at Lindisfarne Castle
Planning a family day out in Northumberland? Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island offers a perfect mix of adventure and discovery for visitors of all ages. Explore fun, family-friendly activities like birdwatching, spotting seals along the shoreline, flying kites in the sea breeze, and skimming stones on the beach. It’s an unforgettable experience for families visiting the Northumberland coast.
Walking in the North East
Explore some of the best walking routes in North East England with the National Trust. From scenic coastal walks and historic countryside trails to family-friendly and dog-friendly paths, discover unforgettable walks across Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, and County Durham.
Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner
Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.
Staying safe at National Trust places
The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.
Follow the Countryside Code
Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.
Walking
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.