Lindisfarne Priory Reviews Summary

Category: Historical landmark

Address: Lindisfarne Priory Museum, Church Ln, Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15 2RX, United Kingdom

Phone: +441289389200

Rating: 4.5
based on 357 reviews.

Accessibility

Pros:

  • "Wheelchair access is excellent around the whole site."
  • "There is loads of parking, £7 for 24 hours."
  • "The attraction has No car park attached to it but there is a 'pay and display' one available in the village about 5 minute's or so away."
  • "Great day out on holy island well looked after wheelchair accessible for most."
  • "Priory ruins well maintained with access ramps etc."
  • "I will say that unlike the castle it is more accessible, as I saw someone in a wheelchair inside priory."
  • "Access was available to us."

Cons:

  • "If you have mobility issues then it's a long walk."
  • "No so easy to access if you have limited mobility."
  • "Beware the car park is half a mile from the ruins and the minimum charge is for 3 hours is £3:50."
  • "On a muddy day would have been difficult."
  • "Very interesting day out learning more about Holy Island and St Cuthbert. Beautiful views of the castle from the Priory disappointed that there was not a bus / transport as being a disabled person there is no way I would ever be able to walk it."
  • "No cars allowed in town so is a walk to the Priory but so worth it."
  • "There are No Toilets available on site, nearest ones are in the village."

Value for Money

Pros:

  • "We have been part of english heritage for awhile and it is well worth the money."
  • "You get a discount if you book in advance online."
  • "Free entry for members."
  • "Worth a look.. and price wasn’t extortionate."
  • "The little museum nearby does a lovely job of describing the history of the Priory, very invitingly laid out and clear, digestible information."
  • "Well kept helpful staff, we are English heritage members so entry and parking at priory was free."
  • "The dog was allowed in the whole lot."

Cons:

  • "I thought it was a bit pricey for what you actually get to see."
  • "Poor value for money (2022 price is £9 per adult, £5.40 per child, slightly cheaper for family tickets)."
  • "Its mega expensive for everything."
  • "The entry price is far too expensive, specially considering that the nearby huge bamborough castle or alnwick castle are respectively only 13 approx and 11 approx."
  • "English heritage charge for entry to the ruins (highway robbery) and also to a tiny museum nearby that took me 15 minutes to read everything (actual daylight robbery)."
  • "The £11 charge seems a bit steep relative to what's on offer."
  • "Very disappointing, Not worth the entrance fee."

Historical Significance

Pros:

  • "A fascinating building in a delightful and important location for medieval history, the Christian church and Western civilisation."
  • "Wonderful place steeped in history. I highly recommend a visit to anyone in the area."
  • "Unique and special historical site of early Celtic Christianity. The island site, accessed only when the tide is out, is windswept and peaceful. It encourages quiet reflection and prayer. Quite beautiful."
  • "Beautiful island with an intriguing history. The walks are stunning, as is the priory itself."
  • "The priory is considered the birthplace of christianity in England."
  • "Anyone who knows anything about British history and culture should know that Lindisfarne deserves its label as the 'cradle of English Christianity'."
  • "World famous for the birth of Christianity in England & for the fabulous Lindisfarne Gospels the Monks produced there."

Cons:

  • "Lacks the historical information usually found on sites like this on notice boards etc."
  • "I would have preferred a stronger emphasis on the actual events of the first Viking invasion on this island."
  • "Museum was ok, but left me wanting more in the way of artefacts."
  • "Not as spiritual as I expected. Houses right by the Priory seemed weird and disrespectful, it took away the sanctity of the place for me."
  • "Many of the reviews on here are not actually for the Priory. Yes, Lindisfarne is a lovely place to visit, nice walks, a few shops, lots of wildlife etc. Yes, the graveyard and church are also very nice. However if you limit the review to the Priory itself there is not a lot to see for your money."
  • "To get the best out of the visit you would need a guide. Great if you are an archaeologist, the signage was poor and faded by the sun."
  • "Also, I feel the Island has become too commercialised."

Experience & Atmosphere

Pros:

  • "Brilliant day out in the sun with all the family. Kids loved it."
  • "Holy Island is a wonderful place. Quiet apart from birds and breaking waves."
  • "A magnificent day out, well worth the drive... the Holy Island is quite a unique environment."
  • "Beautiful place, lovely calm atmosphere and very evocative, seeing how huge and impressive it must once have been."
  • "If you're not blown away by the history and spiritual meaning of this area, then nothing will affect you!"
  • "From the very first step on holy island, the experience feels special."
  • "A world away from modern life it seems. The Holy Island is wonderful place to visit and walk around."

Cons:

  • "It's broken and if it rains you'll get wet."
  • "We got here 30 minutes before closing and it would have cost £17 to go in for that length of time."
  • "Very very busy but I suggest you leave it an hour after the causeway opens to avoid a very long (3 mile) slow moving queue."
  • "We visited the Holy Island in 1976 and returned a few days ago, sadly it appears to have lessened with so many visitors."
  • "I felt that many of the hundreds of visitors were rude, selfish and bad mannered."
  • "Went on a Saturday though, and it was very busy... too busy for me as it lost its atmosphere."
  • "Very very busy did not go into the museum as it looked like no one could move."

Facilities & Services

Pros:

  • "About a 10 minute walk from the visitor carpark, well sign posted."
  • "The volunteer on hand was very knowledgeable."
  • "The little gift shop is lovely, staff very very helpful."
  • "The staff are very friendly and showed great understanding of the site, surrounding area and history."
  • "Staff were very friendly and knew a lot of information."
  • "Great exhibition, usual English Heritage gift shop and then the atmosphere of the priory is spinetingling."
  • "Fantastic slice of history, friendly staff, breathtaking views & well worth a visit for the architecture alone."

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