Bamburgh Castle

Further north you'll find Bamburgh Castle, home of the Armstrong family.

This massive, brooding structure can be seen for miles around and has been part of Northumberland's costal defences since approximately 500AD.

Once it was a royal city where the kings of Northumbria were crowned, but little remains from that early period.

The current castle dates to the end of the Norman era, when the wooden defences were rebuilt in stone. It was badly damaged by artillery fire during the Wars of the Roses, but - fortunately for us - was restored by a generous Bishop of Durham, before being taken over by the Armstrongs.

The Island

Holy Island is a 'must-see'. But that does not mean that it's easy to get to.

Lindisfarne Island - also called Holy Island - can only be reached over a causeway and is cut off from the mainland twice a day by the tide. Make sure of the tide times before driving up to avoid disappointment. And check 'last safe crossing time' as soon as you arrive and park. If you miss it, you'll be stranded on the island until the tide turns!

Lindisfarne Island is the home of Christianity in England and it's here that one of the world's most famous illuminated manuscripts, the Lindisfarne Gospels, was produced. The local museum has an excellent reproduction for visitors to admire.

Lindisfarne has a beautiful little castle, built by Henry VIII, which is open to visitors. Converted into a weekend retreat in the early 1900's, its interior will surprise you!

But - for me - the best bit on Lindisfarne is the Secret Garden. Hidden in the rolling dunes like some precious jewel, you're bound to miss it unless you make a point to look for it. I suggest that you do.

Still have a little more time to spend? Visit the ruins of Lindisfarne priory or take a walk around the dunes. It's extraordinarily peaceful. And when you drive back over the causeway, just as the tide is lapping at its sides, you'll feel as if you're returning from a visit to a different time.

More to Explore

Once you've seen the coast, don't get the idea that you've seen all of Northumberland! Neither have you made the acquaintance of all the castles this county has to offer.

But hopefully, this little tour has whetted you appetite for more and the next time you come to visit, turn west out of Alnwick and explore the Cheviot Hills, Coquetdale, the Kielder Forest and Hadrian's Wall.