Lindisfarne Heritage Centre

The Lindisfarne Centre
- Holy Island's Heritage -

Exhibition of Island Life

Here, whatever the weather is doing outside you can experience something of the combination of elements which make Holy Island such a unique place to live, work and visit.
The wildlife is exceptional in its variety and beauty and many of the people who live here can boast of family names which have inhabited the Island for generations. The exhibition offers a wonderful experience of life here, with interactive video and sound as well as a growing collection of artifacts and images.

THE FLORA

THE LAND

THE PEOPLE

THE SEA

The Flora

Holy Island is home to many plants, including some rare varieties. The diverse ecologies of cliff, shoreline, field, dune and lake provide ample opportunity to explore for botanist and amateur alike.

The Land

Farming, fishing and mining have been the main uses of the land on Holy Island. Since neolithic times the unique environment has produced good crops and healthy animals and the raw materials for building. The Island also once boasted woodland to add to it's diversity.

The People

As in many rural areas the population has dwindled over the last century and the priority of the workforce has changed dramatically. Whereas many were occupied in the fishing industry, in farming and mining now the focus is on the many visitors who come to share our island. The population shifts almost as regularly as the tide, about half of the properties are now holiday homes or lets and the core population of just over 140 has a majority of people over 50 years old. Just two youngsters attend the village school at the moment.
In the summer you will find many locals focused on providing for visitors but in the winter the community socialises much more, with music, quizzes, concerts and other clubs springing to life.

The Sea
The fierce north sea provides a dangerous living for a small number of locals and remains a haven for seals, seabirds and many other varieties of sea life. The dangerous rocks between here and the Farne Islands necessitated a Lifeboat being stationed on the Island until fairly recently.