Name: Lindisfarne Priory
Address: Holy Island, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 2RX
Telephone: 0128 938 9200

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Lindisfarne Priory

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Keeping you safe

What to expect on your visit

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Address

Holy Island, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 2RX

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What you need to know

We've made some changes to help keep you safe, and things might be a little different when you visit. Here's everything you need to know.

Do we need to Book?

You don’t need to book your ticket in advance, but you will always get the best price and guaranteed entry by booking online ahead of your visit.

If you are a Member and wish to book, your ticket is still free.

Your booking is for the site/event only and does not guarantee a car parking space, which may carry an additional charge.

Check the Tide times and Book Tickets

Booking FAQs

Keeping you Safe

Our staff are still working hard to keep everyone safe. We’re continuing with enhanced cleaning and you’ll find hand sanitiser stations on site. You are now legally required to wear face coverings in our shop.

You can also help us keep you and other visitors safe by not visiting if you have symptoms, tested positive or have been asked to self-isolate.

You can visit our reopening page for information on general safety measures we've taken to help keep you safe.

General Safety Information

Do I need to wear a face covering?

You are now legally required to wear face coverings in our shops.

Our staff continue to wear face covering in our busy areas and indoor spaces, and we strongly encourage you to do the same.

I still have questions.

The answers to all frequently asked questions can be found on our FAQ page.

Read our FAQs

Things to See and Do

Lindisfarne Priory Timeline

635Foundation

Oswald, King of Northumbria, summons Irish monk Aidan from Iona to be bishop of his kingdom. Oswald grants Lindisfarne to Aidan for his monastery.

Find out more about the history of Lindisfarne Priory

670SPrior Cuthbert

A monk named Cuthbert joins. He is eventually made Prior, but when his reforms prove unpopular, he retires to a small island nearby as a hermit.

685-7Bishop Cuthbert

King Ecgfrith makes Cuthbert a bishop. He gains a great reputation as a pastor, seer and healer.

687-98Cult of St Cuthbert

Cuthbert dies and is buried in a stone coffin. After monks later find his body undecayed, his remains are raised to a ground-level coffin-shrine.

8th CenturyLindisfarne Miracles

Miracles are reported at St Cuthbert's shrine. Lindisfarne becomes the major Northumbrian pilgrimage centre. The monastery grows in power and wealth.

8th-10th CenturyChristian Resilience

At least 23 carved stones show that the Christian burial ground at Lindisfarne remains in use throughout the Viking invasions.

See highlights from the collection at Lindisfarne Priory

710-25Lindisfarne Gospels

The monastery produces the Lindisfarne Gospels, masterpieces of early medieval art.

793-875Viking Raids

Viking pirates make a devastating raid on Lindisfarne. The monks abandon the island, wandering for seven years carrying St Cuthbert's coffin and treasures. They eventually settle in Chester-le-Street.

995Durham Remains

St Cuthbert's relics are moved again and eventually enshrined at Durham. A wealthy monastic community grows up around them.

11th-13th CenturiesReturn to the Island

Durham monks return to Lindisfarne. They build a church with a cenotaph marking Cuthbert's original grave.

Read a description of Lindisfarne Priory

13th-14th CenturiesMonastic Fortifications

Edward I invades Scotland. The monks fortify the priory but cannot afford a garrison. They later ask Richard II for permission to remove the fortifications.

1537Royal Suppresion

Henry VIII orders the priory to be closed. The buildings remain, probably proving useful to the Crown's defence strategy in the north.

18th CenturyRomantic Ruins

Antiquarians and artists are attracted to the ruins. Drawings and descriptions reveal that the church survives until about 1780.

19th-20th CenturiesConservation and Excavations

Local landowner Mr Selby buys the site. Despite his efforts, the west front collapses. Sir William Crossman excavates the monastic buildings. The church is also excavated and the walls strengthened.

Learn more about Lindisfarne Priory