Holy Island - M0OXO Holy Island Holy Island ( aka Lindisfarne ) ........NEXT ACTIVATION JULY 2011......... Lindisfarne is a tidal island off the north-east coast of England also known as Holy Island, the name of the civil parish. The Island is within the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The name Lindisfarne derives from Farne meaning "retreat" and Lindis, a small tidal river adjacent to the island. Lindisfarne has a population of 162. Lindisfarne has a small Castle (Image-Left), based on a Tudor fort, which was refurbished in the Arts and Crafts style by Sir Edwin Lutyens for the editor of Country Life, Edward Hudson. Lutyens also designed the island's Celtic-cross war-memorial on the Heugh (Image-Right). The castle, garden and nearby limekilns are in the care of the National Trust and open to visitors. The monastery on the Island is now a ruin in the care of English Heritage , who also run a museum/visitor centre nearby. The neighbouring parish church is still in use.

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is well known for mead . In the medieval days when monks inhabited the island, it was thought that if the soul was in God's keeping, the body must be fortified with Lindisfarne Mead. The monks have long vanished, and the mead's recipe remains a secret of the family which still produces it. Lindisfarne mead is produced at St Aidan's Winery, and sold throughout the UK and elsewhere. As you can see from the aerial view at the top of this page, Sand Dunes cover the northern parts of Lindisfarne and these hold their own specific secrets. Rich findings, indeed, for those who will enjoy the search. This sandy wilderness is home to wealth of unusual and, largely, unexpected wild flowers and insects one in particular is the 'Lindisfarne Hellaborine' (Image - Below left). Many plants of Arctic origin occur here, at sea level and it is worth visiting the area in order to see these if nothing else. In Summer you can also find some rare orchids.

Although the Island was originally designated as a Nature Reserve for its Flora, its bird life continues to draw keen ornithologists throughout the year, for there is always something of interest to be located on the shores. Visiting the Island briefly are hundreds of birds during the migration periods, the species visiting and remaining with us throughout the Winter are probably the most important. Those that come to the shoreline, geese, duck, waders and the occasional rare Northern Gull are largely from the Arctic and occur sometimes in massive numbers.The shore line is now being well preserved, for we may still find the longest animal in Britain, Northern Octopus (Image - Left), Pipe Fish, Fifteen-Spined Stickleback and a considerable range of unexpected marine Shellfish. Offshore, we have large numbers of North Atlantic Grey Seals and, becoming more resident recently, several hundred Common Seals on the muddy waters between the island and the Mainland. The Islands represent the culmination of a layer of whinsill rock extending from across the country from Cumbria. For every visible island there are a host of underlying rocky outcrops.

They are reckoned to be some of the most dangerous waters around the British Isles rendered even more dangerous as they are en route for all shipping navigating the northeast coastline and the tidal currents are both tricky and tremendous. The number of wrecks in the region range from Spanish boats in centuries past - supplying their Scottish ally, during the period of terrible war between Scotland and England and who, in the confusion of their passage through the islands, were carrion to the English naval squadron lying in wait at Holy Island - right through to modern times. The fast, changing currents racing around the rocky bottom disturb the naturally occurring coal slurry renders visibility almost zero in places. Diving and recovery is consequentially dangerous even for the most experienced and in any event many of the wrecks are soon broken up and dispersed. Lindisfarne, the largest of the Farne Islands, has a traditional association with the sea with a nautical history which traces back well over 1300 years. In years gone by two lifeboats operated from the island manned by the heroic ancestors of our present day fishermen. Today’s' lifeboats are based at Berwick-upon-Tweed and Seahouses.

There are many who still feel that there remains a need for one based on the island - filling in a potentially missing gap in coastline security and providing a more immediate (and economical) response for the occasional visitors who become stranded on the island's causeway. The causeway is covered with sea water at every high tide at which point there is no access on or off the Island. The white 'rescue-box' does as it says and provides safety when caught out for the pedestrians, the vehicles not being so lucky! (Photo - Left, courtesy & tnx Gordon Jeffrey). Our Radio trips to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne are now a regular annual event. I am fortunate to be asked to attend as guest operator with the Wakefield and District Radio Society who make the trip each year from their club location just outside Wakefield city centre, West Yorkshire. Focusing mainly on this Years event we travelled to Holy Island for a long weekend of radio related activities with approx. 8 members from the Club. This Year we were fortunate with the weather and with hot temperatures, setting up was ok. We have been on previous years and the rain has been tremendous and not helping matters having to contend with the long grass and getting very very wet.

Initially some members set up the portable Radio Shack whilst most of the others started to erect the Cushcraft A4S onto the 50ft mobile tower. It’s not a difficult job as having done it on so many other occasions it’s a pretty well rehearsed plan so everything tended to go ok. The next build in the programme was to add the Carolina Windom 80 to the mast. This is stepped away from the main tower using a 3ft long pole and at the main feed point it is around 40 feet above the ground. The vertical radiator hanging in free space makes the performance of this antenna exceptional and it gives us good results on 80 & 40M. Inside the portable Shack the equipment in use comprises of the Yaesu FT990, Kenwood TL922 Amplifier and a Palstar AT1500CV ATU. Logging is from a laptop computer running Logger32 as its software. Microphones and headsets are courtesy of Heil Sound. It isn’t appropriate to list the DX worked as we tend to do OK in most directions although favouring the Far East and South/North America tending to perform the best.

We have also used the old Coastguards Tower as a location for VHF and Digital Modes in the past and after our third year on Holy island, we have just short of 8500 qso’s in the logs. On behalf of the W&DRS I would like to add our thanks to Katherine Atkinson of the National Trust, Tim Kirton from Berwick Borough Council, Northumbria County Council, Geoff Porter & Sue Massey Chair of the Parish Council and most of all, the residents of the Island who make this trip possible each Year. Thanks to everyone that supports us at the event each year and we hope for your continued support in Years to come. If you would like to see more photographs from the trip then please click here or navigate through the Menu above to the Gallery where many more images will be uploaded and if you have any comments good or bad, drop me a line or write into Guestbook which again is accessible via the Menu above. You may also wish to see the accounts of all my trips around the UK Islands by selecting from the list below ; Holy Island | Define Holy Island at Dictionary.com Holy Island noun 1. Also called Lindisfarne . an island off the E coast of Northumberland, England.

3 miles (4.8 km) long. 2. Formerly Holyhead Island . an island off the W coast of Anglesey, in NW Wales. 7 miles (11 km) long. Dictionary.com Unabridged Things to do in Holy Island | Days Out | Places to Visit You are here: Towns -> Places to Visit in Northumberland -> Holy Island Things to do in Holy Island, Northumberland Holy Island is just off the north coast of England in Northumberland . Also known by its historic name of Lindisfarne, it is joined to the mainland by a tidal causeway. Lindisfarne actually means "travellers from Lindsey" indicating that the early settlers were from the Kingdom of Lindsey. Saint Aidan arrived at Holy Island from Iona in 635 AD and founded Lindisfarne Monastery at the request of King Oswald. It became a centre for Christian teaching across Northumbria. Saint Cuthbert became the Abbot of the monastery and later became the Bishop of Lindisfarne. His remains were buried on Holy Island which made it a place of pilgrimage to early believers. His bones were later transferred to Durham Cathedral.

In the early 700s AD the beautiful Lindisfarne Gospels were created at the monastery. They include illuminated text in Latin and are decorated with a fine metal case. These unique works are accredited to the artist Eadfrith who later became Bishop of Lindisfarne. In the 10th century an Anglo-Saxon gloss was added to the text by Aldred which made it the earliest surviving text of the Gospels in Old English. Vikings raided Holy Island several times in 793 AD and later in 875. The monks abandoned Holy Island, taking St Cuthbert's bones with them and the bishopric was moved to Durham. The priory was re-established as a Benedictine monastery in 1093 and remained active until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century . The Lindisfarne Gospels are now safely stored at the British Museum in London . The island had a busy quarrying and lime burning industry in the 19th century when it employed 100 men. The complex of lime kilns and wagon way can also be seen along with the remains of the jetty used to export it.

Fishing has always been part of the island's industry. Present Day Holy Island Holy Island is a declared Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In the 2001 census the island had a population of 162 people. The ruined remains of the monastery are maintained by English Heritage . There is a Museum and Visitor Centre and the parish church is still used for worship. Lindisfarne Castle can be visited. It was based on a Tudor fort and refurbished in Arts and Crafts style for Edward Hudson by architect Edwin Lutyens. He was also responsible for the Celtic Cross war memorial on the island. Close to the castle are gardens designed by Gertrude Jekyll in 1911. Both the castle and the gardens are owned by the National Trust . Things to Do Around Holy Island Holy Island is popular with artists and was visited by JMW Turner , Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Thomas Girtin who all painted there. Many people visit Holy Island as a pilgrimage or retreat. It is also popular with bird watchers and is one of the top birdwatching sites in Britain. The Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve protects the area for migrating birds and over 300 species have been recorded.

Grey seals can also be seen on the rocks. Visit St Aidan's Winery which produces Lindisfarne mead to a secret age-old recipe. Walkers can follow the three mile Pilgrim's Way at low tide and climb up Beblowe Crag to the castle. Share this page Home > Where to go > The Coast > Holy Island Skim over the sands and causeway to Holy Island and prepare to enter another world. Lying just a few miles off the Northumberland coast , Holy Island as seen on Robson Green's Tales from Northumberland is cut off twice-daily from the rest of the world by fast-moving tides. Both an island and a picturesque village, Holy Island carries a wealth of history within its tidal walls. Driving along the Holy Island Causeway See one of the region’s most revered treasures Lindisfarne Priory . The epicentre of Christianity in Anglo Saxon times, Lindisfarne Priory was once the home of St Oswald. This serene setting was the birthplace of the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of the world’s most precious books.

Ransacked by marauding Viking raiders in the 8th century, the evocative ruins of Lindisfarne Priory includes the famous ‘rainbow bridge’ which spirals skywards with the ghost of a long-vanished tower. Statue of St Aidan on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne Holy Island remains a place of pilgrimage today. The island is the final destination of long distance walking route and one of Scotland’s Great Trails, the St Cuthbert’s Way. Rising from the sheer rock face at the tip of the island is Lindisfarne Castle . Built to defend a harbour sheltering English ships during skirmishes with Scotland, the castle caught the eye of Edward Hudson, founder of Country Life magazine. Celebrated architect Edward Lutyens gave the castle a luxurious makeover turning it into a comfortable but quirky holiday home. Explore the castle’s rooms today, which remain largely unchanged. Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island Aside its historical pedigree, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne has an exciting array of wildlife . Its island status protects tidal mudflats, saltmarshes and dunes which together form the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve.

Rare plants and an abundance of food supplies attract visiting birds from thousands of miles. Autumn is the best time to look out for internationally important species of wildfowl and wading birds that overwinter on the reserve. Spot pale-bellied brent geese flying in from Svalbard (Spitsbergen), pink footed and greylag geese, wigeon, grey plovers and bar-tailed godwits are just some of the island’s other visitors. Grey seals bob in the waters here and can be spotted sunning themselves on the sands, joined by the occasional common seal. A word of caution: Be sure to check for safe crossing times on the causeway's notice board before journeying to Holy Island. Berwick Tourist Information Centre has full details of both the tides and bus service to the island. Also of interest Holy Island Castle(front view) | Lindisfarne (variant spelli… | Flickr superspark By: superspark Holy Island Castle(front view) Lindisfarne (variant spelling, Lindesfarne) is a tidal island off the north-east coast of England also known as Holy Island, the name of the civil parish.

It has a population of 162 [1] A causeway connects the island to the mainland of Northumberland and is flooded twice a day by tides – something well described by Sir Walter Scott: Done Holy Island | meaning of Holy Island in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE English version Holy Island From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishHoly IslandˈHoly ˌIsland 1 an island off the northeast coast of Northumberland, in northeast England. It is also known as Lindisfarne.2 an island off the island of Anglesey, North Wales, whose main town is the port of holyhead Pictures of the day Holy Isle - definition of Holy Isle by The Free Dictionary Holy Isle - definition of Holy Isle by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . Holy Island or Lin·dis·farne (lĭn′dĭs-färn′) An island off the coast of northeast England near the Scottish border. At low tide the island is connected with the mainland by a stretch of sand. Saint Aidan (died 651) established Celtic Christianity in England by founding a monastery here in 635. Danes destroyed the settlement in 793.

Holy Island n 1. (Placename) Also called: Lindisfarne an island off the NE coast of Northumberland, linked to the mainland by road but accessible only at low water: site of a monastery founded by St Aidan in 635 2. (Placename) an island off the NW coast of Anglesey. Area: about 62 sq km (24 sq miles) Ho′ly Is′land n. 1. Also called Lindisfarne. an island off the E coast of Northumberland, England. 3 mi. (4.8 km) long. 2. Formerly, Hol′yhead Is′land. an island off the W coast of Anglesey, in NW Wales. 7 mi. (11 km) long. Britain's 50 greatest islands - Telegraph Britain's 50 greatest islands Julia Hunt selects the best of more than a thousand islands around the United Kingdom.

Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, lies a mile off the Northumbrian coast Photo: Getty The Cullins mountains dominate the skyline as you approach Skye Photo: Getty Iona has had an abbey since St Columba arrived in the sixth century Photo: Getty Lundy is ideal for bird-watching, nature walks and snorkelling safaris Photo: Getty Rathlin is Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island Photo: Getty By Julia Hunt 12:24PM BST 01 Sep 2008 1. St Mary’s The largest of the Scilly Isles, St Mary’s is nevertheless only three miles wide, though it has the best links with the mainland, thanks to an airport and ferry service. Travel along the quaint lanes by horse, bicycle or vintage car. Stay at the Star Castle Hotel (01720 422317; ; from £240), which was built as a garrison for Queen Elizabeth I. 2. Tresco Palm trees and exotic plants from around the world flourish in the sheltered Abbey Garden, thanks to the mild Scilly climate. Beaches, one pretty village, and 20 minutes from Penzance by helicopter.

Stay at The Island Hotel (01720 422883; ; from £270). 3. Lundy English seaside cafes: Coffee and coast 01 Aug 2008 In the mouth of the Bristol Channel, Lundy is just over three miles long and one mile wide. England’s only marine nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, it is ideal for bird-watching, nature walks and snorkelling safaris. Self-catering is available in Landmark Trust properties ( ). 4. Anglesey The largest island off the Welsh coast, Anglesey has wide beaches, Victorian seaside towns and the village with the longest place name in Britain (shortened to Llanfairpwllgwyngyll). The island is regarded as the bread basket of Wales and culinary events include a beer festival next month and an oyster festival in October. . 5. Isle of Man The island has its own government, the Tynwald, and its own language, Manx, yet is just 60 miles off the Lancashire coast. Attractions include sandy beaches, medieval castles and the TT motorcycle races. . 6.

Rathlin Island With its dramatic basalt cliffs, Northern Ireland’s only inhabited offshore island is home to thousands of seabirds, which you can view from a RSPB bird colony. Daily passenger ferries from Ballycastle, six miles across the Sea of Moyle, with Caledonian MacBrayne ( ). 7. Inchmurrin The largest inland island in Britain, Inchmurrin is found towards the south of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest loch. Named after St Mirren, the island has traces of a seventh-century monastery. Activities include walking, swimming and watersports. Access by ferry or Balmaha Mail Boat. Restaurant and self-catering accommodation. Further information, . 8. Bute Located in the Firth of Clyde, Bute was a popular Victorian holiday destination. The jazz festival is a big draw now, along with Mount Stuart, the Gothic home of the Earls of Bute. Cruise back on the Waverley, Glasgow’s last paddle steamer. . 9. Arran Often referred to as “Scotland in miniature”, Arran has a diverse landscape of beaches, mountains, woodlands and villages, just an hour from the Ayrshire coast.

Attractions include the Isle of Arran distillery, Brodick Castle, several golf courses and a wide range of accommodation. . 10. Sanda Popular with sailors and helicopter pilots, this tiny island south of the Mull of Kintyre, has one of Britain’s remotest pubs, the Byron Darnton Tavern. Visitors include the Princess Royal, who stocks up on the free-range beach eggs. Self-catering available. Boat trips from Campbeltown. . 11. Gigha Three miles off the Kintyre peninsula, Gigha was bought by the community in 2002. The island is small enough to walk around in a day, taking in the pretty bays and beautiful Achamore Gardens with magnificent rhododendrons and orchids. Stay at Achamore House (01583 505400; ; b & b from £90). 12. Jura Wild and unspoilt, Jura has 5,000 deer and 200 inhabitants. The powerful Corryvreckan whirlpool nearly killed George Orwell who wrote 1984 here. The village has a distillery overlooking the bay.

Stay in luxury at Jura Lodge which sleeps 10 ( ; from £2,500 a weekend). 13. Islay With eight distilleries, Islay is the perfect island for whisky lovers. Kilchoman, the newest and smallest, demonstrates how the tipple is made. Known as the Queen of the Hebrides, Islay has long beaches and a golf course. Stay at Port Charlotte Hotel (01496 850 360; ; from £130). 14. Colonsay One of the most southerly islands of the Inner Hebrides, Colonsay has a lush landscape, a charming village and spectacular beaches, such as Kiloran Bay. Stay at the Colonsay Hotel (01951 200316; ; from £110), which offers stylish rooms and serves local produce. 15. Oronsay Across the strand from Colonsay, Oronsay is only accessible at low tide, which allows enough time to visit the ruined Augustinian Priory. A chapel houses carved tombstones from across the Hebrides, dating from the 14th century. . 16.

Lismore Ten minutes by ferry from Port Appin, Lismore is the largest island in Loch Linnhe. Its name is Gaelic for great garden and the island has a unique flora. Remains of Achanduin and Coeffin Castles. . 17. Mull Renowned for its wildlife, Mull is one of the best places to spot golden eagles, otters, dolphins and whales. Fly into Tobermory by seaplane for spectacular views of the beaches, bays and brightly coloured cottages. Stay at the cosy Highland Cottage Hotel (01688 302030; ; from £150). 18. Iona Off the tip of Mull, Iona has had an abbey since St Columba arrived in the sixth century. The current Benedictine abbey was restored in the last century, though the medieval pink granite nunnery is still in ruins. Stay at the Argyll Hotel (01681 700334; ; from £90), which serves island-grown vegetables. 19.

Staffa About 45 minutes by boat from Mull or Iona, the uninhabited island of Staffa is home to Fingal’s Cave. The majestic opening of basalt columns, known in old Norse as Staffa, inspired Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture. The island also houses a puffin colony in the summer. . 20. Tiree This island is one of the sunniest places in Britain, but strong winds also make it a windsurfing paradise. Although easily reached from Oban by ferry and a new air service, Tiree remains unspoilt, with pretty crofts and miles of beaches. Stay at the Scarinish Hotel (01879 220308; ; from £70). 21. Coll The most northerly isle of the Inner Hebrides, Coll boasts splendid beaches sandwiched between machair and a glorious sea. Activities include walking, cycling, golf and bird-watching. Stay at the Coll Hotel (01879 230334; ; from £80). 22. Rum The largest of the Small Isles below Skye, which include Eigg, Canna and Muck.

Rum is a National Nature Reserve, with hostel accommodation, including four-poster rooms, in Kinloch Castle, a grand Edwardian stately home in need of renovation. . 23. Canna Owned by the National Trust, Canna is a bird sanctuary and breeding colony for Manx Shearwaters and sea eagles. There is a small crafting population, a café and self-catering cottages. Explore beaches and archaeological remains. Further information, . 24. Soay Pronounced soy, the name comes from Old Norse and means Sheep Island. Soay’s principal residents are seals, which breed in the bay. In the Fifties, the island operated a shark oil factory, which greatly reduced shark numbers in the area. For details of boat trips visit . 25. Skye The Cullins mountains dominate the skyline as you approach the Isle of Mist. Skye’s Gaelic heritage flourishes in the south, with a Gaelic college and whisky company, while the north offers dramatic coastline of cliffs and waterfalls. Stay at Hotel Eilean Iarmain (01471 833332; ; from £120), which has stunning views across the Sound of Sleat.

26. Raasay In Norse, Raasay means “Isle of Red Deer”, though the island, just off the east coast of Skye, also hosts sea eagles, buzzards, rare orchids and a small crofting community. The north road was built by one determined man, Calum MacLeod, and is known as Calum’s Road. Stay at Borodale House (01478 660222; ; from £80). 27. Barra Land on Britain’s only beach runway before exploring the machair-backed bays. Kayak around Kisimul Castle, a 15th-century keep surrounded by water, or visit the Bronze Age burial site and Iron Age roundhouses at Allasdale. Stay at Castlebay Hotel (01871 810223; ; from £89). 28. Eriskay Best known as the setting for Whisky Galore, a novel and film about how islanders “liberated” 2,000 cases of whisky from the SS Politician after it sank in the shallow sound in 1941. You can enjoy a dram in the Am Politician pub.

Linked to South Uist by causeway. 29. North Uist Pristine beaches and chic hotels combine with Hebridean hospitality. Sandwiched between the Minch and the Atlantic, North Uist’s lochs and lochen are perfect for fishing or spotting otters. Order the hand-dived scallops and fine seafood at Langass Lodge (01876 580285; ; from £95), a holiday haunt of Stella McCartney. 30. Harris Famed for its tweed, Harris is one of the prettiest parts of the Western Isles, with miles of sandy beaches and one of the Hebrides’ best-preserved medieval churches at Rodel. Stay at Scarista House (01859 550238; ; from £175). 31. Lewis Joined to Harris, Lewis is famed for its prehistoric remains, including the Callanish standing stones and the Iron Age broch at Carloway. The blackhouse village at Gearrannan shows how islanders lived. Restored cottages offer self-catering accommodation from £125. . 32.

Monach Isles Until a tidal wave hit the Hebrides in the 16th century, the Monach Isles were connected to North Uist, five miles away. Abandoned in the Thirties, these sandy dunes have become Britain’s most important breeding colony for grey seals. Day trips from North Uist. . 33. Taransay Featured in the BBC show, Castaway, in 2000, Taransay, two miles off the Harris coast, is a wildly beautiful island with white beaches perfect for picnics. It has two self-catering cottages and is accessible for day trips through Angus MacKay (01859 550260). 34. St Kilda Its inhabitants left Britain’s remotest island in the Thirties, but the World Heritage Site is frequented by National Trust workers and wildlife enthusiasts. Day-trippers can reach the island, 50 miles off the Harris coast, in three hours. . 35. The Summer Isles This evocative-sounding archipelago is located above Loch Broom, in Wester Ross. Remote and sparsely inhabited, the isles are a natural paradise for birdlife.

Stay at the Summer Isles Hotel (01854 622282; ; from £135) on the Coigach peninsula. 36. Handa A mile off the Sutherland coast near Scourie, Handa is a major sea bird colony. Guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes are chief residents of the Torridonian sandstone cliffs and great sea stack. Walk around ruins of the village abandoned after the potato famine of 1848. Managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. . 37. Orkney The Neolithic wonders of Scara Brae and the Tomb of the Eagle set the tone for culture in Orkney. Other delights include Kirkwall Cathedral and Highland Park, Britain’s most northerly distillery. Stay at the Lynnfield Hotel (01856 872505; ; from £100). 38. Fair Isle Midway between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle is one of the remotest places in Britain, renowned for its knitwear and a haven for birdlife.

Stay at the Fair Isle Observatory Lodge (01595 760258; ; twin room £39; bed in dormitory £30), a hostel overlooking the cliffs. 39. Shetland This northerly group of islands joined Scotland in 1469. Attractions include Neolithic remains at Jarlshof and the fortified tower at Mousa. Stay at the 16th-century Busta House Hotel (01806 522506; ; from £100), Shetland’s oldest house. 40. Isle of May Meaning “Gull Island” in Norse, May is a National Nature Reserve and a haven for bird life, especially puffins, which nest from April to August. Situated in the Firth of Forth, May has Scotland’s oldest lighthouse and remains of a 12th-century monastery. Boat trips from Anstruther. . 41. Bass Rock In the Firth of Forth, Bass Rock is a major sea bird sanctuary a mile off the North Berwick coast. The island is a large volcanic plug, with steep cliffs colonised by gannets.

From the 16th century, Bass Rock housed a garrison and a prison, which featured in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Catriona. . 42. Holy Island A mile off the Northumbrian coast, Lindisfarne became known as Holy Island after being settled by monks in the sixth century. Visit the the 11th-century Benedictine priory and the 16th-century castle built with its stones. . 43. Isle Of Wight Three miles from the Hampshire coast, and a popualr resort since the days of Queen Victoria. Seaside towns hug the coast, but the west, home to The Needles, is less developed. . 44. Brownsea Island Go for the wildlife (including red squirrels), woodland trails with guided walks, wetland and heath. Accessible by Ferry from Poole Quay, Sandbanks Jetty, Bournemouth Pier and Swanage Pier. Shop and café. . 45. Burgh Island Off the south Devon coast, Burgh is reached on foot or by ferry tractor.

The tidal island has a pub, the 14th-century Pilchard Inn, and an Art Deco hotel, Burgh Island Hotel (01548 810514; ; from £355), setting for the Agatha Christie novel, And Then There Were None. 46. Alderney The most northerly Channel Island is small enough to cycle around. Quaint cottages line cobbled streets in the village of St Anne, seafood lands fresh on your table while sandy beaches are perfect for sandcastle holidays. Stay at Maison Bourgage (01481 824097; ; from £64). 47. Jersey 100 miles from England and 14 from France, Jersey is the most southerly part of the UK. Sweeping beaches and narrow coves surround a lush interior with pretty villages and a vineyard. Stay at the Atlantic Hotel (01534 744101; ; from £205), which has sea views and a Michelin restaurant. 48. Sark One of the smallest Channel Islands, Sark is also the smallest independent feudal state, governed by a seigneur.

The car-free country lanes are delightful to walk or cycle along with cliff-top views down to small coves. Accommodation includes 300-year-old inns and renovated farms. . 49. Guernsey Visit St Peter Port, the lively harbour and financial centre, where Victor Hugo wrote Les Misérables, taste rich Guernsey milk, or explore picturesque villages and cliff-top trails. . 50. No Man’s Land Fort Built in the 1860s to defend Portsmouth harbour against the French, No Man’s Land is one of four private forts in the Solent. Converted into a hotel in the Eighties and accessible only by helicopter, the fort is for sale – to stay, you’ll need to buy it: offers in the region of £4 million, please. UK Islands Up Islands around the UK There are a great many islands off shore from the mainland of the United Kingdom - some estimates suggest that there are as many as 5000 islands in total but that number is difficult to verify. However there are certainly more than 1000, which is quite amazing in itself! The total number of islands depends on what definition of an island you use.

In particular the answer to the question of - what is an island and what is a rock? There are a huge number of rocks around the UK coast but it would be impossible to live on many of them and that may be the limiting factor between and island and a rock. Whatever the total number of islands there are certainly a great many of them - below are details of the main islands and groups of islands around the UK - from north to south. Shetland Islands - A group of around 90 islands, of which only 15 are inhabited, lying around 100 miles north of the Scottish north east coast. Fair Isle - Lying midway between Shetland and Orkney islands in splendid isolation. Fair Isle is just 3km wide and 5km wide with a wild craggy coast, some of which rises to 100 meters above the pounding seas. Home to around 70 people and many more sheep and birds. Orkney Islands - A group of around 70 islands, of which 20 are inhabited. The southernmost point of Orkney is only 10 miles north of the Scottish coast.

Outer Hebrides - Is an archipelago of islands lying around 40 miles off of the coast of Scotland. The group of islands stretches for about 110 miles along the west coast of Scotland. There are seven main islands of which the Isle of Lewis is the largest. There are more than 30 islands in total, many of which are uninhabited. Also known as the Western Isles - a term which may or may not include the Inner Hebrides. Inner Hebrides - Is a group of islands lying just off of the west coast of Scotland partially between the coast and the Outer Hebrides. The group includes Islay to the south and stretches north to the Isle of Skye and includes the islands of Jura, Mull and Staffa and numerous smaller islands. The is a newly installed bridge to the Isle of Skye from The Kyle of Lochalsh on the Scottish mainland. All other islands are accessed via ferry or aircraft. Isle of Arran - Arran lies in the Firth of Clyde some 20 miles offshore from Ardrossan and a few miles to the east of the Kintyre peninsular. Nearby are the islands of Bute and Great Cumbrae.

Lindisfarne - Also known as Holy Island (there are several other Holy Islands in the UK), lies just off shore of England's north east coast, near Berwick-upon-Tweed. The island is connected to the mainland by a tidal causeway; there is a castle and priory on the island. Isle of Man*- Situated in the Irish Sea just about equidistance from Northern Ireland, Scotland and England, around 40 miles offshore. The curiously named island, the Calf of Man, lies just to the south. Walney Island - Is a long thin crescent of an island lying just offshore from Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Barely a kilometre wide at its widest point the island has several bird sanctuaries on it. Anglesey - Is a large island lying just offshore from the northwest Welsh coastline. It is connected to Wales by two bridges across the Menai Straits. There are numerous island off of the Anglesey coast - the largest of these is called Holy Island and is connected by a bridge carrying the A55 road, which terminates at the port of Holyhead.

Ramsey, Skomer and Skokholm Islands - These small islands lie within the Pembroke Coast National Park in southwest Wales. Each of these islands is a sanctuary for many varies of seabirds. There are several other, smaller islands in the same area. Foulness Island - Is a fairly large, flat island at the mouth of the River Crouch in Essex. It was once suggested as a location for a third airport for London. Canvey Island - Canvey Island is a town and seaside resort lying in the Thames estuary just south of Southend-on-Sea. It is connected to the mainland by a road bridge. Much of the island is below sea level and is protected by a huge sea wall. Isle of Sheppey - Sheppey also lies in the Thames estuary, this time on the southern bank near Chatham. the island is mostly rural and connected to the mainland by a road bridge. Lundy Island - Lies some fifteen miles off the Devon coast at Bideford. The island has around twenty residents and three lighthouses to warn shipping using the Bristol channel. The waters around Lundy have been designated a Marine Nature Reserve - the only one in Britain.

Isle of Wight - The Isle of Wight is a large island just south of Southampton - it is home to around 135,000 people and attracts many thousands of visitors every year. The Isle of Wight is a county in its own right and has a distinctive culture as a separate entity to mainland Britain. The island is well known as a sailing centre and stages an annual sailing event at Cowes each year. Isles of Scilly - There over 100 islands in the group of which only 5 are permanently occupied. The population is around the 1000 mark but increases in summer months when many tourists arrive. The islands are around 28 miles from the tip of Land's End and they represent the southernmost point of the UK. (The channel Islands not being part of the UK) Channel Islands* - The Channel Islands group consists of Jersey and Guernsey, the two largest islands and the smaller islands of Alderney, Sark and Herm. The main islands are around eighty miles south of the coast of England - they are closer to France in fact.

Rockall - Although not really an island, more a big rock, we thought we should include it here as it is the most far flung part of the UK and deserves a mention. Rockall is located around 230 miles west of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides islands. It's only inhabitants are seabirds and it is claimed by several other countries as well as the UK - it is important as the UK also claim the seabed around the island. UK 'islands' that are not islands. Isle of Thanet - is in Kent near Ramsgate - it is a 'near' island formed by the coast and the Great Stour river. Isle of Purbeck - is located around Swanage in Dorset - formed by the coast and the River Frome. Isle of Portland - is located in Dorset just south of Weymouth. This is very nearly and island but is connected to the mainland by the huge pebble ridge that is part of Chesil Beach. Isle of Ely - Near to Ely in Cambridgeshire - nowhere near the sea but this area was more or less an island in times past when it was surrounded by fens (swamp).

Now the area is drained and accessible by many roads. Isle of Dogs - Located in east London, the Isle of Dogs is a peninsular with the River Thames on three sides and the West India Dock on the forth side. Now a part of the Docklands redevelopment area. *Note: - that the Channel Islands including Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark and the Isle of Man are not part of the UK. They are self-governing Crown Dependencies. Their coastlines are not coastlines of the United Kingdom but they are part of the Great Britain.

Question: Holy Island off the English coast is also known by what name?
Answer: Lindisfarne