A visit to Lindisfarne Priory requires careful planning due to its location on Holy Island, which is only accessible at low tide via a causeway. This guide provides information on the priory’s religious significance, current admission fees, opening hours, and the crucial need to check causeway crossing times.
The significance of Lindisfarne Priory and its location
Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, is one of the most important centres of early English Christianity. The original monastery was founded by the Irish monk St Aidan in AD 635 at the request of the Northumbrian King Oswald, quickly becoming a base for the conversion of northern England. It became the home of St Cuthbert, one of the most celebrated English saints, and was the place where the magnificent Lindisfarne Gospels were created in the early 8th century.
The extensive ruins visible today are primarily those of the 12th-century priory church built by Benedictine monks from Durham. A distinctive architectural feature is the surviving rib of the crossing vault, known as the ‘Rainbow Arch’. A museum on site offers interpretation of the Anglo-Saxon monastery, the cult of St Cuthbert, and the devastating Viking raid of AD 793.
Crucial crossing times for Lindisfarne Priory
Holy Island is a tidal island connected to the mainland by a tidal causeway. The causeway is submerged twice daily by the fast-rising North Sea tides, making it essential to plan your visit around the safe crossing times. Authorities strongly advise against attempting to cross outside the scheduled safe windows.
- Safety requirement: Always check the official Holy Island causeway timetable published by Northumberland County Council or Visit Northumberland before setting off.
- Crossing window: The safe crossing times are published as two periods each day, separated by a period of approximately five hours when the road is flooded.
- Driving time: Allow sufficient time to drive across the causeway and reach the main village before the next unsafe period begins.
Lindisfarne Priory opening times and admission fees
The Lindisfarne Priory site is managed by English Heritage. Opening hours vary significantly throughout the year and are always subject to the causeway tide times. The priory tends to only be open at the weekend in winter. Visitors should check the English Heritage website for opening times on their specific date of travel.
As for entry fees, English Heritage applies its usual insanely complicated pricing system. Entry fees go up in peak periods, and are cheaper when booked in advance online
| Pass type | On-the-day price (with donation, checked December 2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | From £11.00 | The price is discounted if you book in advance online. |
| Child (age 5-17) | From £6 | Children under 5 and English Heritage members enter free of charge. |
| Concession | From £9.50 | Applies to senior citizens (65+), students, and jobseekers with ID. |
| Family (2 adults, up to 3 children) | From £28 | Family tickets offer a reduced total rate. |
The last admission is typically one hour before the advertised closing time. The site is generally closed from 24 to 26 December.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby attractions for Lindisfarne Priory
The island offers several other points of interest that are accessible once you have successfully crossed the causeway:
- Lindisfarne Castle: This picturesque 16th-century Tudor fort, located on a craggy outcrop at the eastern edge of the island, is managed by the National Trust.
- The Pilgrim’s Way: At low tide, wooden marker poles guide walkers across the tidal sands, recreating the historic route taken by pilgrims to the island. This walk requires careful attention to tide times and should only be undertaken in good light.
- Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve: The island is part of a protected reserve known for its international importance for migratory birds, including Brent geese and waders, particularly during the autumn and winter months.
- Lindisfarne Mead: The island is home to St Aidan’s Winery, where visitors can taste and purchase the traditional honey-based wine, Mead, which is based on an ancient recipe.
FAQ: Practical visitor questions about Lindisfarne Priory
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How often are the tides unsafe? | The causeway becomes flooded and unsafe twice daily. You must consult the official tide timetable for the exact safe crossing windows on the day of your visit. |
| Are dogs allowed at the Priory? | Dogs are permitted within the Priory grounds and museum, provided they are kept on a lead at all times. |
| Is this site wheelchair accessible? | There is a surfaced route from the museum and admission point to the ruins. However, the historic nature of the site means there is a fairly steep slope and five steps to the main Priory entrance. An alternative step-free entrance is available. |
| Do I need to book tickets in advance? | Booking in advance online is recommended. It guarantees entry and provides a discounted admission price compared to paying on the day. |
