Structure Name: Lindisfarne Castle

Description:
 

The castle atop the basalt outcrop known as Beblowe on the south side of Holy Island was built as a small fort in the early 16th century, and converted into a house in the early 1900s. The only visible original features are in the western range and the lower curtain wall.

The castle is on an irregular polygonal plan over three levels, with entry by a ramp to the south.
 

Extant: Yes

Legal Status: Listed Building Grade I

Location: Holy Island, NORTHUMBERLAND

Eastings: 413630m (view map)

Northings: 641750m (view map)

Position Accuracy: 20m

Positional Confidence: Absolute Certainty

Structure Types Identified: ARTILLERY CASTLE, COASTGUARD TOWER, FORT, HOUSE

Historical Background
 

Lindisfarne Castle is probably built on the site of an earlier wooden fort. The present castle was built in the reign of Henry VIII and strengthened after his death, but after the accession of James IV of Scotland and the Union of the Crowns in 1603 the castle's defensive role - originally to guard against Scots incursion - was lessened.

The castle was occupied by Jacobite rebels for a day in the 1700s, and later became a coastal watch house.
 

Chronology:

• 1539   Construction of castle.
• ELIZABETH I   Fort strengthened. Gun platforms installed.
• 1902   Castle converted into a house by Edward Lutyens for Edward Hudson.
      Entities Involved:
            Lutyens, Edwin: Architect.
            Hudson, Edward: Commissioned works.
• 1944   Castle handed over to The National Trust.
      Entities Involved:
            The National Trust: Owners.

References:

• Images of England
• Keys To The Past
• Northumberland SMR
• Pevsner, N., Richmond, I., Grundy, J., McCombie, G., Ryder, P. and Welfare, H. (2001) The Buildings of England: Northumberland. London, Penguin Books, pp.339-340

The information displayed in this page has been derived from authoritative sources, including any referenced above. Although substantial efforts were made to verify this information, the SINE project cannot guarantee its correctness or completeness.

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