Lindisfarne (Holy Island) - Wednesday 18 June 2014
Route
Car Park - Snipe Point - Emmanuel Head - Lindisfarne Castle - Benedictine Priory - Car Park
Parking
Holy Island Car Park (Charge) at Chare Ends. The Grid Reference is NU 12587 42421 and the nearest postcode is TD15 2SE. Before starting the walk you are strongly advised to consult the tide tables for arrival and departure off the island. The link for the Tide Timetable can be found here.
Mileage
6 miles
Terrain
Good paths and sandy beaches with some patches of slippery rock.
Weather
Overcast and mild with sunny spells.
Time Taken
3hrs
Total Ascent
688ft (210m)
Map
OS340 - Holy Island & Bamburgh
Car Park - Snipe Point - Emmanuel Head - Lindisfarne Castle - Benedictine Priory - Car Park
Parking
Holy Island Car Park (Charge) at Chare Ends. The Grid Reference is NU 12587 42421 and the nearest postcode is TD15 2SE. Before starting the walk you are strongly advised to consult the tide tables for arrival and departure off the island. The link for the Tide Timetable can be found here.
Mileage
6 miles
Terrain
Good paths and sandy beaches with some patches of slippery rock.
Weather
Overcast and mild with sunny spells.
Time Taken
3hrs
Total Ascent
688ft (210m)
Map
OS340 - Holy Island & Bamburgh
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GPX File
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Walk Description
The first of 2 walks today. Having checked the tide times for crossing the Holy Island Causeway, we drove over from the Caravan Site near Wooler to walk a circuit of this lovely and picturesque island. The walk starts from the very large car park just as you drive onto the island - there is no need to drive any further - it is discouraged in any case.
From the car park we headed North over the dunes to Snipe Point. The dunes were a nightmare for our dog as the Piri Piri Burr (see picture below) is everywhere and is a real pain to get out of an animals fur. Suitably de-burred, we carried Fudge as far as the beach where it was safe to let him run around again. The route now follows the beach all the way around to Sheldrake Pool where a grass path is joined which takes you around to Lindisfarne Castle - it was here that we rejoined the crowds as until this point we had not seen a soul, despite the busy car park at the start.
From the Castle it is a short walk back into the village, passing the ruins of the Benedictine Priory before making your way past the myriad of gift shops, pubs and cafes. A delightful few hours on a lovely island.
From the car park we headed North over the dunes to Snipe Point. The dunes were a nightmare for our dog as the Piri Piri Burr (see picture below) is everywhere and is a real pain to get out of an animals fur. Suitably de-burred, we carried Fudge as far as the beach where it was safe to let him run around again. The route now follows the beach all the way around to Sheldrake Pool where a grass path is joined which takes you around to Lindisfarne Castle - it was here that we rejoined the crowds as until this point we had not seen a soul, despite the busy car park at the start.
From the Castle it is a short walk back into the village, passing the ruins of the Benedictine Priory before making your way past the myriad of gift shops, pubs and cafes. A delightful few hours on a lovely island.
The Public Car Park at Holy Island is the start of this walk
We did!
Poppies growing by the side of the wall near the Car Park
You would think that common sense would prevail and there would be no need for signs like this - clearly not!
Piri Piri Burr - we learnt the hard way that this sticks to dogs fur and is difficult to get off therefore we stayed on the beach for most of the walk
Heading down to Snipe Point
No one here - they were all crawling around the village therefore we had this to ourselves
Glorious
Looking to Keel Head
The cliff face and caves near Nessend
Looking back along towards Castle Head
One dopey and mad dog thoroughly enjoying himself
Heading down to Emmanuel Head - the feature on the horizon is a white brick-built pyramid which is a navigational day mark
The flat sands makes a nice change from the mountain side - now and again!
Angie on the beach near Emmanuel Head
Rounding Emmanuel Head Lindisfarne Castle comes into view
Lindisfarne Castle
As you do.......
The Benedictine Priory
The foreign visitors to Holy Island were having a bit of a giggle over this