Lindisfarne Priory

Schools

Lindisfarne Priory was one of the most important centres of early English Christianity, with monks settling here in AD 635. Follow in the footsteps of the Anglo-Saxon monks and learn more about monastic life, explore this fascinating site and discover how the once magnificent priory was victim to a brutal Viking attack.

Information about your visit

A visit to one of our sites will inspire your students and bring your teaching to life. We'd like to reassure you that we're following Government guidance to make your trip as safe and enjoyable as possible. 

Important information to consider before you book:

  • To keep everyone safe we’ve introduced limits on visitor numbers and school groups, so please bear this in mind when booking your trip.
  • Find out more about what to expect on your school visit, which also includes our Covid 19 Risk Assessment.
  • To make the planning process as easy as possible, make sure you check our Plan Your School Trip section at the bottom of this page, for updated information on the facilities at the site as well as our free resources.
  • As usual, you’ll need to book your visit at least 14 days in advance. Please check our Terms and Conditions for full details.
  • Although is it not a requirement, any teachers, parents, or students aged 16 years can check in via the NHS Test and Trace app, using the NHS QR code posters displayed at the site entrance. Please factor this into your travel/arrival time. For more information about how we are handling your personal data for NHS Test and Trace please visit this page.

We’re continually updating our education offer in line with government guidance.  Most of our English Heritage sites are now open, including indoor spaces and cafes.  At some sites you might not be able to use our handling collections or costumes as part of a free self-led visit, but where we can provide hands-on items in a safe way we will. We’ve adapted our Discovery Visit workshops to follow government guidelines, but for certain sessions this hasn’t been possible – please check our schools webpages for further information.

There may be areas of our sites which are closed, so please check what’s available for your school group on our property webpages and with our booking team.  They can put you in touch with our Education Visits Officers who can offer help and guidance, so you can make the most of your school trip.

Curriculum links

A visit to Lindisfarne Priory offers curriculum links across three key stages:

  • KS1-3 History: Local History Project
  • KS2 History: Britain's settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots; the Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the Kingdom of England
  • KS3 History: The development of church, state and society in medieval Britain 1066-1509

Free Self-led Visits

We offer free entry to qualifying learning groups. On a free education visit, you can lead your visit in your own way to fulfil your curriculum objectives. Explore the 12th century Priory ruins, from the cellars and kitchens in the West Range to the dramatic 'Rainbow Arch'. Learn more about the 1,400 year history of Lindisfarne in the museum, including the Priory's Saxon origins, the story of St Cuthbert, and a devastating Viking raid.

Enquire now

Plan Your Trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip.

We also offer free planning visits for group leaders once you have made a booking. Our Education Booking Team is on hand to advise and help you create the best possible school trip to suit your needs and area of study.

  • Facilities
    • PARKING: Pay and Display car park located approximately five minutes’ walk from the site.
    • PRIORY: The priory is open as usual.
    • MUSEUM: The museum explores the story of St Cuthbert and the 1,300 year history of Lindisfarne Priory. The collection includes the Viking Raiders stone, depicting the Viking raid on Lindisfarne in AD 793. It will be open with a one way system in place and limits on the number of people at any given time.
    • TOILETS: The nearest toilet facilities are a short distance away in the village.
    • LUNCH: Students are welcome to bring packed lunches and picnic on the grass. 
    • SHOP: The shop is open with limits on the number of people at any given time. Please bring your students in small groups.
    • FACE COVERINGS: Face coverings must be worn in all indoor public spaces, including in our exhibitions, shops, cafés and tea rooms. We won’t be able to give you a face covering, so please come prepared so you don’t miss out.

  • Enquire now

  • School visits

    We’re pleased to confirm we’re now taking bookings online until 30 September. All bookings must be made at least 14 days in advance.

    Our site staff and education team are still working hard to keep everyone safe and we continue to follow government guidance.

    Due to the current situation we can’t answer calls as quickly as we’d like to. If you’d like more information about a site, email us and we’ll put you in touch with an Education Visits Officer.

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