Where is this walk?

Holy Island & the Pilgrim’s Way

October 23, 2024

Any visit to Holy Island (or Lindisfarne) makes for a fantastic day out. However the day is greatly enhanced by completing a circuit of the island and taking to the memorable 3 mile sands of the Pilgrim’s Way. Pilgrim’s Way is memorable. The walk around the island is interesting and typical of the Northumbrian Coast.

The Walk

Most visit Holy Island and the Pilgrim’s Way as a simple tourist attraction. They drive over the causeway, park up and walk through the village to Lindisfarne Castle. As pleasant as this is, the true pleasure is derived from walking round the island and along the Pilgrim’s Way. The island Walk follows a good path along the shoreline and through the dunes. Wildlife abounds, particularly sea birds. This is partly due to the island being a protected conservation area. However there are opportunities to leave the main path and discover for yourself the rocky shoreline and empty beaches along the north facing beaches.

The Pilgrim’s Way is the three mile walk across the sands between the mainland and the island. It is sandy, wet and muddy in places but memorable. Just be prepared to wear wellies or, better still, walk barefoot as pilgrims have for over a thousand years. The Pilgrim’s Way was the only route to the island (bar boat) until 1954 when the causeway was built. Therefore you will be following the many who have trod the sands for nearly 1.500 years. The route of the Pilgrim’s Way is clearly marked by tall poles which run roughly parallel, and to the south, of the causeway.

A Brief History of Holy Island & the Pilgrim’s Way

The island itself became famous in 635 ad. In this year King Oswald donated the island to St Aidan to establish a monastery and create a religious centre for all. This he did and the remains of the monastery are still clearly visible to wander through. A mile north up the island coast is Lindisfarne Castle which is spectacularly situated and the subject of many a photo. You can visit inside the castle (National Trust) but the pleasures are walking around it and imagining its long history.

Nearby are a labyrinth of lime kilns, well preserved. They formed the main industry of the island through the 18th and 19th centuries with steam and sail trading to and from the island. It was part of the east coast ‘package’ business of the time. Add the scenic beauty of the remains of the island and the village centre with its shops pubs, hotels and heritage centres to the historical mix. There is a simply endless amount of things to do!

Recommend: Planning Your Visit

The route described in the GPX download and Walk Details is a one way walk across the Pilgrim’s Way. From there it is a circuit of the island. The Holy Island & Pilgrim’s Way walk is completed by taking a 2nd car or bus along the causeway to Beal.

This is not straightforward due mainly to the restrictions of the tides closing the island off for 4 or 5 hours at a time. However here are some ideas to make the most of any visit.

  • Make at least 2 visits to the island. On your first drive to the island and do the island circuit walk visiting the remains of the priory, castle and other island attractions.
  • On your 2nd visit walk the Pilgrim’s Way (an hour’s walk). Ideally you have a 2nd vehicle you can leave on the island for a one way walk. Alternatively you may have to wait on the island before returning back via the causeway or Pilgrim’s Way. The minimum wait time is 4 hours which is perfectly possible but check the tide times.
  • Public Transport to the island is by its nature unreliable.
  • Finally you could stay over for 1 night, surely the best of all options which gives plenty of time to explore this fascinating place.

Tide Times for the crossing

This is an unusual Navigation Tip but essential for any visit to Holy Island. The tide times are best seen on this excellent website https://holyislandcrossingtimes.northumberland.gov.uk/. The website shows a the tide times and when it is safe to cross for every day for the next 2 years.

The safe crossing times are for the causeway. It is recommended they are shortened for any crossing on the sands of the Pilgrim’s Way.

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