Lindisfarne Priory |
Check the tide tables before visiting, as the causeway linking Lindisfarne to the mainland is submerged at high tide.
The island of Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, was an important early centre of Christianity during Anglo-Saxon times.
However, all that changed when the corpse of the former bishop, St Cuthbert, was exhumed eleven years after his burial in 687AD, and it was found to be undecayed.
Cuthbert had been regarded as an exceptionally devout and holy man who spent time as a hermit on the Farne Islands where he later died.
Another famous monk who left a valuable legacy was Eadfrith, Bishop of Lindisfarne from 698 to 721AD.
He worked on a beautifully illustrated manuscript of the Gospels of the New Testament using animal, vegetable and minerals dyes to create the beautiful illuminated manuscript. Typically, the first letter on each page had an elaborate and colourful design.
The manuscript was written in Latin with a 10th century Anglo-Saxon translation added between the lines. This priceless work is now on display at the British Museum in London.
By the end of the 8th century Lindisfarne had become a wealthy monastery and was a sitting target for the raiding parties of Vikings.
In 875 the monks fled for their lives, taking St Cuthbert's remains with them, and the islands lay uninhabited for several centuries.
By the 12th century a permanent religious community was re-established on Lindisfarne by the Benedictine monks of Durham. It flourished until 1537 when the Dissolution of Monasteries by Henry VIII caused the monks to disband.
The priory ruins still show the ornate and detailed carvings on the arches and doorways.
The fine west front has survived along with the famous Rainbow Arch which is all that remains of the vault-rib ceiling of the crossing tower.
After exploring the island's attractions, visit the award-winning museum in the Visitor Centre to see a host of exhibits including Anglo-Saxon carvings.
The attached gift shop has some unusual souvenirs of your visit to this fascinating historic attraction.
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Lindisfarne Priory Postcode for SatNav: TD15 2RX
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Days Out near Lindisfarne Priory
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Lindisfarne Castle (1 Mile)*
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Bamburgh Castle (5 Miles)*
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Farne Islands (8 Miles)*
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Chillingham Castle (10 Miles)*
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Paxton House (13 Miles)*
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Dunstanburgh Castle (15 Miles)*
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Howick Hall Gardens (16 Miles)*
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Ayton Castle (17 Miles)*
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Alnwick Castle (17 Miles)*
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St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve (20 Miles)*
Places to Visit near Lindisfarne Priory
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Holy Island (<1 Mile)*
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Beal (4 Miles)*
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Bamburgh (5 Miles)*
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Seahouses (8 Miles)*
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Beadnell (10 Miles)*
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Berwick-upon-Tweed (11 Miles)*
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Marshall Meadows (12 Miles)*
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Craster (15 Miles)*
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Coldstream (17 Miles)*
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Eyemouth (17 Miles)*
Also near Lindisfarne Priory |
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