Day 1: Explore the Islands

LINDISFARNE AND THE FARNE ISLANDS

Holy Island has drawn visitors for over 13 centuries - and still retains powerful memories of monks and saints of Anglo Saxon and medieval Northumbria. While the ruins retain a sense of peace, it's easy to imagine sails on the horizon and the terror of Viking raids.

It's a tidal island, cut off from the mainland twice a day - so make sure you check the tide times before planning your day. The Lindisfarne Priory was founded St Aidan in AD 635, but the most celebrated of the island's holy men was St Cuthbert. There's a long distance coastal walk named for him, but we'd suggest following in his wake today to the nearby Farne Islands where he sought solitude in his last years. Lindisfarne Castle punctuates the otherwise almost uninterrupted views of sea and sky. 

Boats to the Farne Islands sail from the busy little port of Seahouses, about half an hour's drive south of Lindisfarne. Puffins, grey seals, arctic terns and eider ducks are just some of the species of wildlife you can see. To see breeding seabirds, it's best to visit between May and late July. While you're in Seahouses, there's excellent rockpooling, fish from the oldest smokehouse in the region and the RNLI lifeboat station to visit. 

Where to eat and drink

We asked our site staff and local members for their tips on places in Northumberland to eat and drink, and here's what they suggested. If you find somewhere you want to recommend, let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

1. On Lindisfarne, try the mead - it's brewed on the island by St Aidan's Winery. It's a blend of honey, fermented grape juice, spirits and locally drawn water - there are three types for you to try.
2. Lindisfarne oysters can be found in restaurants up and down the coast
3. Call into Craster and try smoked kippers when you're visiting Dunstanburgh Castle. L.Robson & Sons run the last traditional smokehouse in the village, which is right next to the harbour.  

Getting there and getting around

Whether you explore with or without a car you’ll find travelling around Northumberland easy. There are well-thought out local bus and train services making it simple to pick up cycle paths and walking trails.

Newcastle upon Tyne and Edinburgh both have international airports if you're coming from further afield.

Lindisfarne (Holy Island) is approximately 60 miles of scenic countryside north of Newcastle.

• BY CAR: You'll find some of the country's most scenic driving along the Northumberland Coastal Route, a 39-mile stretch spanning the coastline, takes in seaside villages like Seahouses and Alnmouth.
• BY BUS: The Coast and Castles service X18 runs from Newcastle to Berwick, with extra routes running during summer months and peak times.
• BY TRAIN: There are train stations at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth, Morpeth and Newcastle upon Tyne on the East Coast mainline.
• BY BIKE: Northumberland is criss-crossed with long distance cycle ways, including the Coasts and Castles route.

Find out more about planning your travel to and around Northumberland on the Visit Northumberland website.