Day Trip: Holy Island, Lindisfarne

Holy Island is the site of the first Viking attack. With a castle, a ruined monastery and several beaches complete with an icecream truck, what more could you want in a day trip? This is one of our favorite places to go for the day.

Fast Facts:

• Distance from Edinburgh: 70 miles but some of it is under water periodically so check your tide schedule carefully when planning this trip!

• Using public transport: 2 hours and 12 minutes

• History: St Aidan established a monastery in 635 AD

• What there is to do: explore the hills surrounding Lindisfarne Castle, stack pebbles on the rocky beach, visit the church and the ruined monastery and imagine the Viking attack!

• Tip: after getting of the train in Berwick-upon-Tweed, coerce all family members especially kids to use the toilet before getting on the bumpy bus to Holy Island!

The church is well worth a visit - and free! This awesome live-size sculpture didn't impress our youngest but we thought it was a fascinating nod to the history.

Do not miss out on the lovely beaches - some sides of the island are all pebbles but near where the monks went out to pray there is a lovely sandy beach.

The toilets are reasonably clean and free at the bus stop. We have never actually gone into the castle, which is of Victorian origins, but it looks beautiful.

Bamburgh Castle Day Trip

Bamburgh really has it all: a beach, a castle, a quaint English town, and the best ice cream. It feels off the normal tourist track and although the castle isn't one of the giants of British castles for history, size or importance, you can definitely spend an hour or three wandering the fascinating exhibitions!

Note: we went in April so our pictures aren't as good as others online - just type in Bamburgh Castle for some great sunsets etc!

Fast Facts:

• Distance from Edinburgh: 76 miles
• Using public transport: 1 hour and 47 minutes
• History: an Egyptian in the second century wrote about Bamburgh. Nomadic tribes wandered this site and Romans used the hilltop position of the castle for their beacon system but it was really in the 6th century that Bamburgh's recorded history begins as the royal seat for the Bernician monarchs. Bamburgh is also famous for the Bamburgh beast. King Oswald brought Christianity to his lands by inviting St. Aiden to come and teach them.
• What there is to do: explore the walls and the interiors, walk along the beach, stroll through the English village, eat the best icecream.
• Website: http://www.bamburghcastle.com/castle.php

Pros

• Space in the castle for picnicking
• The castle's ballroom/great hall was the best, with the weapon collections in glass cases and the musician's balcony
• The beach can be lovely to walk
• ice cream trucks seem to park there year round and the tea shops sell icecream as well

The view from the castle to the islands is amazing - Holy Island can be seen on a good day!

Cons

• It can be freezing at Bamburgh even on a sunny day
• Even the tea room is freezing

inside the castle scullery