How to get to Holy Island
"Come to me, all who are weary and whose load is heavy - I will give you
rest." - Matthew 11-28
Travel Information
A TIDAL ISLAND: Holy Island is linked to the
mainland by a long causeway. Twice each day the tide sweeps in
from the North Sea and covers the road. Tide times and heights can
be accurately predicted from the phases of the Moon. Severe
weather can produce offsets, particularly with strong winds from
the North and Northeast. The causeway crossing times are
forecasted 'safe' crossing times. Nevertheless, travellers should
remain vigilant if crossing near the extremities.
Climatic charts indicate that Holy Island, on average, is one of the driest parts of the country. It is a rain-shadow area. But yes, of course it does rain - sometimes!
Climatic charts indicate that Holy Island, on average, is one of the driest parts of the country. It is a rain-shadow area. But yes, of course it does rain - sometimes!
BY ROAD: Proceed along the main A1 roadway
to the crossroad at Beal which is approximately 8 miles South of
Berwick-upon-Tweed and about 65 miles from both
Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Edinburgh - halfway between. (Note:
From the A1, Beal appears to consist of `The Lindisfarne Inn' and
`Lindisfarne Services' both to the East (or seaward) side of the
road.) `Holy Island' is signposted East from Beal - distance 5
miles.
BEAL CROSSROADS:
Road access to the Island is via the tiny hamlet of Beal and its
crossroad with the A1 trunk road - distinguished by Lindisfarne
Inn and Lindisfarne Services (Penny Petroleum). Beal is
located around 65 miles from international airports at Newcastle
and Edinburgh - and is only 8 miles south of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Beal is the focus for ALL island traffic: commercial/private
vehicles, local/regional bus routes as well as cyclists and
walkers.
LINDISFARNE CAUSEWAY: 'The Holy Island of
Lindisfarne' is a tidal island and can only be accessed via a
metalled causeway. Tidal closure affects all forms of transport. A
notice board at the Beal side of the causeway provides tide and
crossing information.
causeway opening times
It can also be sought from the English Tourist Information Centre
(Phone:01289 330733). More frequent visitors might wish to purchase the "Islanders'
version" in a convenient booklet from either the 'Holy Island Post
Office' or 'Lindisfarne Centre'. Guests are usually provided with
causeway crossing times when confirming bookings with their
accommodation provider.
AIR TRAVEL: Our nearest international airports are Edinburgh and Newcastle each about 65 miles distant.
BY RAIL: The nearest mainline station is at Berwick-upon-Tweed on the London (Kings Cross) to Edinburgh LNER line and also the cross-country links from the Midlands and Southwest. [www.thetrainline.com] A public bus service (route 477) operates from the station to the Island although the frequency varies considerably from Summer-to-Winter and according to the prevailing tide. Throughout the year, there are several taxi services that operate from the station to the island.
REGIONAL BUS (Routes X15 and X18): This regional service operates between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Buses will stop, on request, at Beal. From the Beal crossroad there is a 5 mile walk to the island unless your journey is timed to coincide with the above route 477 Holy Island bus from Berwick-upon-Tweed.
LOCAL BUS - Route 477: A bus service operates to the Island from Berwick Station on most days during summer months but sometimes as few as once a week between September and May.
LOCAL TAXI MINIBUS: There are several local taxi and minibus services in Berwick and the surrounding area. Our link here takes you to our regular providers who have intimate knowledge of the tides and local conditions. They are able to suit most requirements from collection at the nearby airports of Edinburgh, Newcastle and Edinburgh and Berwick mainline railway station - even from the bus stop at Beal! information
PARKING: Other than for residents, PARKING is NOT permitted within the village. Please use either the main or coach car parks.
AIR TRAVEL: Our nearest international airports are Edinburgh and Newcastle each about 65 miles distant.
BY RAIL: The nearest mainline station is at Berwick-upon-Tweed on the London (Kings Cross) to Edinburgh LNER line and also the cross-country links from the Midlands and Southwest. [www.thetrainline.com] A public bus service (route 477) operates from the station to the Island although the frequency varies considerably from Summer-to-Winter and according to the prevailing tide. Throughout the year, there are several taxi services that operate from the station to the island.
REGIONAL BUS (Routes X15 and X18): This regional service operates between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Buses will stop, on request, at Beal. From the Beal crossroad there is a 5 mile walk to the island unless your journey is timed to coincide with the above route 477 Holy Island bus from Berwick-upon-Tweed.
LOCAL BUS - Route 477: A bus service operates to the Island from Berwick Station on most days during summer months but sometimes as few as once a week between September and May.
LOCAL TAXI MINIBUS: There are several local taxi and minibus services in Berwick and the surrounding area. Our link here takes you to our regular providers who have intimate knowledge of the tides and local conditions. They are able to suit most requirements from collection at the nearby airports of Edinburgh, Newcastle and Edinburgh and Berwick mainline railway station - even from the bus stop at Beal! information
PARKING: Other than for residents, PARKING is NOT permitted within the village. Please use either the main or coach car parks.
MAIN CAR PARK: Vehicles entering the village are directed into the main car park where there are payment machines for cash or cashless payment.
Parking charges between 8.00am and 6.00pm ( October 2023 ):
3hours (£6.00),
4hours (£7.00),
5hours (£8.00),
24hours (all day) (£9.50),
48hours (£19.00),
72hours (£28.50). Our Car Parks are
managed by Northumberland County Council. For enquiries or faults:
please phone 0345 600 6400 or online
www.northumberland.gov.uk
COACHES/Blue-Badge/EV-Hybrid: Parking for commercial vehicles is available within the village - follow the road to the left outside the Lindisfarne Hotel. A limited amount of 'blue-badge' parking is available here and next to the west wall there are 4 parking stands for electric and hybrid vehicles with 11kw(16Amp) and 22kW(32Amp) capacities.
charging points for electric and hybrid vehicles
Public Toilets: The main toilet bock is
situated within the Coach Park. At the time of writing, the county
council is conducting extensive refurbishment and provided a
number of mobile cubicles on the east side. However, the original
'Crossgates' toilet block remains functional - adjacent to the
village hall.
For further village layout checkout the virtual-village schematic.
ALL ROAD USERS: Please keep in mind that you are using the only road connecting the island and the mainland. This main road enables vital emergency services as well as 24/7 vehicular access for our farmers, fishermen and other businesses together with their suppliers.
Note: whilst a car can cover the 5mile distance to the mainland comfortably within 15 minutes - during the holiday season this can ramp to over an hour!
After leaving the A1 the road narrows and there will be many blind, zigzag bends throughout the journey to the main Holy Island car park.
Shortly after leaving the A1 you will be passing over the level crossing where the road rises steeply past Beal Farm. At the top of the hill, you will have a spectacular view of the island in the distance. Footpaths cease and the road quickly descends into a zigzag bend. To the left, is the entrance to 'The Barn at Beal' and ahead is a path for walkers and cyclists.
'path-to-causeway' for walkers and cyclists
The zigzag descent continues to the causeway. In places narrowness
forces opposing traffic to slow. Drivers should be wary of heavily
eroded road-edges. With no highway-drainage, rain water can run
off the fields and form deep puddles at dips in the road. Be wary
of your speed. Walkers and cyclists may have missed their special
route to the causeway and be using the road instead. Throughout
this stretch there is little room for them to step aside. Visiting
foreigners may have little UK highway code knowledge...
At the bottom of the hill, you have reached the 'Beal-End' of the causeway. Here you will find tables of safe crossing-times. Often vehicles will be temporally parked whilst browsing the tables. Please be aware that other traffic may well be approaching this bottleneck very much faster than expected - unaware that people have wandered across the road! For your own safety, be alert and prepared to step off the main road to allow the passage of motor vehicles.
COACHES/Blue-Badge/EV-Hybrid: Parking for commercial vehicles is available within the village - follow the road to the left outside the Lindisfarne Hotel. A limited amount of 'blue-badge' parking is available here and next to the west wall there are 4 parking stands for electric and hybrid vehicles with 11kw(16Amp) and 22kW(32Amp) capacities.
charging points for electric and hybrid vehicles
For further village layout checkout the virtual-village schematic.
ALL ROAD USERS: Please keep in mind that you are using the only road connecting the island and the mainland. This main road enables vital emergency services as well as 24/7 vehicular access for our farmers, fishermen and other businesses together with their suppliers.
Note: whilst a car can cover the 5mile distance to the mainland comfortably within 15 minutes - during the holiday season this can ramp to over an hour!
After leaving the A1 the road narrows and there will be many blind, zigzag bends throughout the journey to the main Holy Island car park.
Shortly after leaving the A1 you will be passing over the level crossing where the road rises steeply past Beal Farm. At the top of the hill, you will have a spectacular view of the island in the distance. Footpaths cease and the road quickly descends into a zigzag bend. To the left, is the entrance to 'The Barn at Beal' and ahead is a path for walkers and cyclists.
'path-to-causeway' for walkers and cyclists
At the bottom of the hill, you have reached the 'Beal-End' of the causeway. Here you will find tables of safe crossing-times. Often vehicles will be temporally parked whilst browsing the tables. Please be aware that other traffic may well be approaching this bottleneck very much faster than expected - unaware that people have wandered across the road! For your own safety, be alert and prepared to step off the main road to allow the passage of motor vehicles.
single lane only - prepare to give way
be courteous to other road users
turn left - main car park
You have arrived!!
TIDAL WARNING: Tide times are subject to vast variations throughout each month and in particular during strong winds. Tide tables can only be advisory. Ensure that you observe the warning signs particularly along the road side. The tidal currents can be very strong. Should you become stranded use the refuge boxes provided.
FOR THE CAUTIOUS: Whilst a visit to the Island is always an adventure - well over 650,000 people visit us without any problems.
