Sometimes, it seems that Holy Island is best known for people's cars getting trapped on the causeway should they attempt to cross when the tide is in - at least that's what makes the news most often.
However, there's a reason that so many vehicles travel across that causeway in the first place - Holy Island even found itself being reported on in the New York Times last month. The tidal island on the Northumberland Coast AONB is packed with history, with a hilltop castle overlooking the mainland and down towards the much-larger fortress at Bamburgh to the south.
There are also remnants of an ancient priory which reflects the island's religious importance - it is here that the Lindisfarne Gospels, which return to the region for the first time in nine years in September 2022, were created in the Anglo-Saxon Golden Age of Northumbria. It's a space for nature too - the island itself is a national nature reserve and is home to several wading birds, internationally important waterfowl, seals, and wildflowers that are only found on the island.
Read more: Another car abandoned on Holy Island Causeway but occupants safely wade to shore
So, up here in Northumberland it would be more of a surprise if it hadn't made it onto a list of the best tiny islands in the UK, as the Times named it in a recent article. And Patrick Norris, who runs guided walks to the island along the Pilgrim's Way for tourists, regards Holy Island as a unique and special place.
He said: "It's a big space with layers and layers of history. It's an audio space too, you can hear the seals singing for example, when you're going along the sandbars. In the winter you can hear the birds chatter and sometimes it's so windy that it blows you off your feet.
"Sometimes it's so quiet that the silence is a sound. You can be out there in utter silence and it's wonderful."
Patrick adds that some people can be put off walking between the mainland and Holy Island for fear of being cut off by the tide, as many cars are, or even being caught out by quicksand. He added: "I think people worry but if you plan it carefully or take a guide like myself, you can learn the history, pick out the birds and plants, and I always like to give people time to stand and stare.
"It's walking in the footsteps of Kings, saints, and sinners. Kings like Oswalds, saints like Cuthbert and sinners like the vikings. They all walked beneath your feet."
Of Holy Island, the article read: "Also known as Lindisfarne, this most devoutly boozy spot near Bamburgh is famous for its home-grown mead, made using a unique blend of fermented white grapes, honey, herbs, and water from the well.
"Perhaps sample some after you’ve stumbled up to the magnificent clifftop castle, toured the Gertrude Jekyll Garden and admired the 11th-century priory. With access cut off twice a day by the tide, gain more time by staying at the homely Lindisfarne Hotel."
Have you visited Holy Island before? Let us know!
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