Holy Island of Lindisfarne
written by honeytrees
on August 30th, 2009
, 7 comments
(4 votes)
The Island started out as a community of monks founded by St Aidan the Irish evangelist in 635 AD. During the Tudor dynasty the island was pivotal, because of it’s proximity to the Scottish border, in defending England from the Scots. That fort built in 1570 for defense is still the foundation of the castle today. Lindisfarne Castle later served as coastguard station once Scotland and England were united as one kingdom in 1603 and it could no longer serve as border control.
In the early 20th century the castle, which stands on a single 30-metre tall rock of whinstone protruding from the limestone, was converted into a holiday home by Architect Edwin Lutyens for Edward Hudson, founder of Country Life magazine.
From the Castle you can view the limekilns that were used in quarrying until the 20th century, a walled garden designed by Gertrude Jekyl, lime obelisks on the mainland and the rest of the island including the crumbling Priory church.
I really loved the look of this castle mainly from the outside because of the peculiar and seemingly out of place rock on which the castle stands. There is a long walk to the castle and a large stone ramp to get up inside as well as a very friendly flock of sheep wandering around the castle. The church, though having work done while we were there, is still very beautiful. When planning a trip be sure to check and double check causeway times.
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