Holy Island (Lindisfarne) and tips? (1 Viewer)

[Silas]

Hi. Tonight we are staying at Brake and want to cross to holy island tomorrow. Anyone done this, best places to park and things to avoid.

Cheers

 

[Mr porky]

We parked in the coaches car park and got a ticket.
But the local tourist website says you may do this.
We contested the ticket and the local council parking board agreed.

 

[WillH]

There is a large car park just before the village, use that. Do not drive into the village. Check the tide tables.

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[andy63]

You will have checked the safe crossing times ..
Theres a lot of parking space (paid parking) in a car park just before you enter the village... theres also another car park on the left as you go into the village ..anywhere else isnt really possible.. the streets are tight and thats where the locals park..
There is no overnighting on the island for motorhomes and even though ive managed a quiet night in the car parks in the dunes just off the causeway at this time of year i suspect the wardens will be on the ball..
Andy.

 

[Langtoftlad]

suspect the wardens will be on the ball..
Andy.

What can they do?
If the causeway is flooded...

 

[Hils and Glenns]

There is a small area on the left just before the causeway where we've seen people stay overnight Haven't done it ourselves though.

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[andy63]

What can they do?
If the causeway is flooded...

Not a lot i suspect
Other than remind you its your responsibility to know the safe crossing times and summons you... if it became a problem im sure they would try and enforce it..
Andy

 

[namwaldog]

I don't know where Brake is, but there is a small (but expensive) campsite at Beal, just off the A1 as you approach the Causeway..
http://barnatbeal.com/camping/
It is then a flat 20 min cycle ride across the causeway to Lindisfarne with no worries about parking.

 

[pappajohn]

There is a small area on the left just before the causeway where we've seen people stay overnight Haven't done it ourselves though.

Last time I was there, a few years ago, there was an abundance of 'no overnight parking' signs.
Maybe they 'got washed away on the tide'.

You could play them at their own game and claim you aren't parking.... You are camping.

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[andy63]

The first large car park i mentioned cant be missed as you approach the village.. the 2nd one i mentioned is shown in the screenshot, but in all honesty i dont know what the rules are for it.. ive used it but times when the island wasnt busy.
Andy.

 

[Stewart J]

There is a small area on the left just before the causeway where we've seen people stay overnight Haven't done it ourselves though.

Presently this small car park has been closed by the owner over a spat with English Nature over the rent, locals tell me he wants double for summer months.
You can stay at Eat and Sleep Lindisfarne at Beal they just ask you to have a meal there and it’s very good home cooked sensibly priced food.
https://eatandsleeplindisfarne.co.uk/ourarea/

 

[Stewart J]

If you or your other half have a Blue Badge you can use the village car park disabled places there are no marked bays as such but plenty of room for larger vans. We have done this for years and it’s free but badge must be displayed. I would suggest you plan your visit to get onto the island before causeway is closed and stay on the 5-6 hours over the high tide. The island is a totally differant experience and most tourists will have left.

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[tinks703]

If it has been raining beware of puddles on the road between 300 to 100 meters from the car park. They are 2" to 6" deep found out the hard way, a few weeks ago. Fortunately we were not going very fast.

 

[Stewart J]

Last time I was there, a few years ago, there was an abundance of 'no overnight parking' signs.
Maybe they 'got washed away on the tide'.

You could play them at their own game and claim you aren't parking.... You are camping.

Many folk are probably not aware but a large chunk of the island is owned by a large estate and the farm and many of the buildings are rented. English Nature do have wardens present so though it could be argued you were caught out by the tide this is hardly a defence as tide tables are prominently displayed in several locations. I suppose a knock on the door by the police in the early hours once causeway is clear telling you to leave could be on the cards and hardly convenient.

 

[Silas]

I don't know where Brake is, but there is a small (but expensive) campsite at Beal, just off the A1 as you approach the Causeway..
http://barnatbeal.com/camping/
It is then a flat 20 min cycle ride across the causeway to Lindisfarne with no worries about parking.
View attachment 243589

Dear old spellchecker did it's job again. We are at BEALE and are at the site you mention.its really nice.

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[Minxy]

There is a small area on the left just before the causeway where we've seen people stay overnight Haven't done it ourselves though.

We stayed there a few years ago, no problem at all from the locals but some ignorant prat in a MH parked up near us, ran his genny for hours and let his bl**dy dogs out on their own and they wouldn't keep away from our van so upset our dogs no end.

 

[EuroTrotters]

May I ask what is the attraction?

 

[SomeoneElse]

May I ask what is the attraction?

Dilapidated buildings that a government agency will charge you an arm and two legs to look at close up.

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[Stewart J]

May I ask what is the attraction?

Beautiful and stunning unspoilt coastline with some of the best beaches in England, steeped in history, etc
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/holy-island-you-need-know-11137057

 

[peterc10]

About 4 years ago we turned up on spec at the end of the causeway just to see what the tide was like. By then the causeway was mostly under water on the rising tide. Parked up to take a look and wondered why lots of people were standing and pointing. They were watching an idiot in a moho that had obviously decided to risk it to get back across to the mainland. He was making a large bow wave in the water. Got to the markers where the centre bit starts and then realised he was not going to make it. Stopped for a couple of minutes then reversed all the way back onto the island. Must have stayed somewhere but I suspect the inside of the moho got a bit damp by the look of it.

 

[Silas]

Dilapidated buildings that a government agency will charge you an arm and two legs to look at close up.

Just as well we don't all like the same things. We are here now and it's a wonderful place.

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[Minxy]

Dilapidated buildings that a government agency will charge you an arm and two legs to look at close up.

You don't have to go inside them, the island itself is lovely.

 

[SomeoneElse]

You don't have to go inside them, the island itself is lovely.

I didn't pay to go inside them to get a closeup look, and I too thought the island was lovely but @TeeMyob asked what was the attraction and I gave an accurate description.

 

[DavidG58]

Just as well we don't all like the same things. We are here now and it's a wonderful place.

For an update on the current position please, where did you park and did you have to pay for parking?

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[Stewart J]

For an update on the current position please, where did you park and did you have to pay for parking?

Parking is at the Chare End car park which is pay and display, a short walk into the village. There is a mini bus regularly doing a loop to the castle from car park cost £1 per person. The second car park and coach parking is past main car park turn left at hotel and it’s 100 yards on left. There is a toilet block but parking is for coaches or disabled badge holders only. Unkknown to many visitors is a small car park near the Snook which is free. As you leave causeway you have the island dunes on your left at end of first high dune (1/2 mile ish) is a gravelled road on your left, drive down for 300 yards to car park. This gives closest access to the breathtaking unspoilt North beach about a 250 yard walk along path through dunes. The walk east or west along this beach is wonderful with views North to a distant Berwick. Beach is usually deserted except for occasional local dog walker.

 

[Stewart J]

You may find this useful.
http://www.holy-island.info/tours/

 

[Silas]

For an update on the current position please, where did you park and did you have to pay for parking?

Hi. We drove across the causeway at about ten thirty am. Pleased to discover that it was a proper road, not impacted sand as I had feared.delightful drive across - feels like driving across the sea!. Huge motorhome friendly car park just before village on left. Pay and display - some of the ticket machines will take debit cards. Fabulously picturesque village and largely unspoiled by commercialism. The castle and priory are run by English heritage and us free entry if you are members. Fabulous walks and loads of wildlife. Will certainly go again.

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[Stewart J]

I have visited Holy Island as a birdwatcher for 51 years, we still visit twice a year April/May and Sept/Oct with the motorhome. We stay out of peak periods at the Haven Holidays, Haggerston Castle site 4 miles from Holy Island causeway. Some may not be aware but you can get some terrific deals with Haven out of season we paid £42 for a 5 day stay earlier this year on a larger serviced pitch with 16a ehu and full use of all the site ammenities including free use of the pool. Posting this for info many other Haven sites do similar deals and are in prime locations we have stayed at several. Not everyone’s cup of tea but makes for very cheap ing camping.

 

[big bertha]

Our doggy walk when tide is right.

 

[Clarky]

May I ask what is the attraction?

We rented a cottage on the island a few years ago and found it a magical place. Once the day tourists had left in the evening the magic really started. I used to walk the dog late in the evening, it was still light at 11pm, and everything was peace and quiet. No distant traffic noise, just the sound of the seals calling and the gentle lapping of the sea. The whole island was almost deserted at that time.
I have a framed photo that I took late one evening of the small harbour and the castle. It hangs in our dining room and I call it 'Tranquility Base'.

We would love to take the MoHo over and stay there but it seems it isn't possible.
Perhaps if it was that tranquility would be lost.

Richard.

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