A circuit of Holy Island including Lindisfarne Castle
This Northumberland walk makes an anti-clockwise circuit of Holy Island. The route includes Lindisfarne Castle and some wild coastal walking.
Holy Island, off the Northumberland coast, has many historic connections and sees many tourists. However, once away from the village and Lindisfarne Castle you will enjoy some wild coastal scenery in relative solitude.
⚠️The island cannot be reached at high tide so careful advance planning is necessary to complete the walk.
A
Holy Island walk
posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 13/11/23
Description
Start: Car park on the north side of Holy Island village (TD15 2SG). Grid ref. NU 127 421
(S/E) After parking walk West then South through the village.
(1) Continue past the parish church, which should be on your left, and down to the sea.
(2) Turn left along the coast (with the sea to your right). The remains of the priory will be on your left. Continue along the path onto a wider track that leads you to the harbour and a tarmac road behind the beach. Follow this to a junction (grid ref. NU129419).
(3) Bear right (East) along a lane towards Lindisfarne Castle.
(4) Just prior to the castle the lane forks. Keep to the left here and pass the northern side of the castle. The tarmac soon ends and you should continue on the track to reach the eastern coast of the island. Here, head North walking parallel with the coast (sea to your right) and continue for about a kilometre.
(5) Pass The Lough on your left (grid ref. NU137429). The onward route loops to the left here with dunes to your right and continues to a junction with a track (grid ref. NU129432).
(6) Do not turn left down the track but continue ahead on the path West. Which soon loops left (South) and takes you to the causeway road (grid ref. NU124425).
(7) Turn right along the road and take the first path on your left. This continues along the coast back to the centre of the village. (S/E)
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 11 m - Holy Island village car park
- 1 : km 0.34 - alt. 14 m - Parish church left-hand
- 2 : km 0.55 - alt. 6 m - Coast
- 3 : km 1.18 - alt. 3 m - Junction - Lane
- 4 : km 1.8 - alt. 3 m - Lindisfarne Castle
- 5 : km 3.37 - alt. 6 m - The Lough
- 6 : km 4.44 - alt. 9 m - Junction with a track - Continue ahead
- 7 : km 5.73 - alt. 7 m - Causeway road
- S/E : km 6.98 - alt. 11 m - Holy Island village car park
Useful Information
Start & Parking: Car park on the north side of Holy Island village (TD15 2SG). Grid ref. NU 127 421
⚠️ Holy Island is cut off from the mainland at high tide so careful planning is required before starting this walk, which should take under three hours. Ideally, you need to cross the causeway just as the road becomes passable on a falling tide. Safe crossing times are available here. Remember the road is closed for about seven hours between tides so do allow enough time to cross back to the mainland to avoid being stranded on the island.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Reviews and comments
Clarity of route description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
5 / 5
Walk interest
5 / 5
Our Lake District Escapades
Date of walk : 22/06/23
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
This is the perfect walk if you want to discover Holy Island. We did it in June and there were not a lot of people after the castle. Lovely views all along the walk. Possible to visit the castle as well on the way (we didn't do it because they don't accept dogs inside the castle).
