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Overview
Retreat and relax in this charming family home on legendary Holy Island – one of Britain’s most prestigious locations.
Monks, mead, beaches, beacons and blissful quietude converge in this escapist, spiritual location
It was 635AD when Saint Aidan first crossed the causeway to Holy Island and – likely smitten by its beauty, remoteness and rich potential for undisturbed contemplation – decided to start a monastery here.
Expect the same seduction as you near Cambridge House. Part of a row of period cottages on the tiny village of Lindisfarne, a stay here means you can enjoy privileged access to A-List historical sights.
Behind its classic stone facade, Cambridge House delivers interiors that are chicly contemporary, yet still retains the charm and character of the original period property. That includes an airy, open-plan kitchen and dining space accompanied by slick dark navy cabinetry and furniture. And indeed the sitting room, whose vintage iron-legged coffee table contrasts with a svelte, modern log-burning stove built neatly into the wall. This cosy den is a great place for families or friends to relax together in slumberous comfort.
All four bright, spacious bedrooms – one of them on the ground floor – can be configured with twin or super-king beds as required. Two are en-suite to allow for total comfort and the others share a big bathroom with a tub.
Outside, the property benefits from an enclosed private back garden where you can relax, chat or plot your next adventure! There’s ample bike storage here too should you wish to pedal around. That might be a good idea, what with there being so much to see.
One of Holy Island’s undoubted headline attractions is its ruined 11th-century priory (built after Vikings attacked the original), offering a chance to learn about how Aidan and Saint Cuthbert pioneered Christianity’s spread across the world. Then there’s the renovated, visible-for-miles castle, with its 1900s-style society rooms.
You’ll also find the award-winning Gertrude Jekyll Garden and a pretty harbour where upside-down herring boats form sheds. If possible, sip some of the renowned Lindisfarne Mead, still concocted from a secret recipe, and cross to Hobthrush, a still-dinkier tidal isle where St Cuthbert supposedly retreated for extra peace. Seals often rest on the sandbanks here.
While the Priory and castle can be busy with tourists by day, other parts of the two-square-mile island are much emptier. That includes some starkly beautiful white-sand beaches and two obelisk-style lighthouses. Lindisfarne village also offers one or two enticing cafes, pubs and shops.
Shadowed by a pilgrim’s path, the causeway road is safe to cross long enough to easily enable drives to Bamburgh Castle or Coast Path pub walks on days out – keep an eye on the changing tide times though to allow yourself ample time to return! You may however, simply prefer to stay put: resting and relaxing in this uniquely spiritual place.
Property details
IMPORTANT - TIDE TIMES
Holy Island is cut off from the mainland twice a day during high tide. During high tide, the causeway is completely submerged and it is impossible to cross. It is imperative that you adhere to the safe crossing times and do not attempt to cross during the unsafe periods when travelling to and from the island. Please check timings carefully.
Ground floor
Three steps to main access door.
Small utility room with hanging rail, combined washer/dryer.
Kitchen with 3/4 dishwasher, ceramic hob, electric oven, microwave, large fridge/freezer, small island unit. Dining table seating up to eight.
To the right of the dining room is a ground floor bedroom with:
Bedroom one with zip and link bed which can be configured to a 6' super king or 3' twin beds, side tables, chest of drawers, wardrobe with storage and hanging rail. Wall-mounted Smart TV.
En-suite bathroom with large walk-in shower (electric shower), heated towel rail, basin and WC.
To the left of the dining room is an inner hall and central stairwell, with main door leading to the rear garden (2 steps)
Cloakroom with basin and WC.
Sitting room with two large sofas, armchair, wood burning stove with logs supplied. It is imperative that the log burner is not over-loaded - strictly 2 logs only. Large Smart TV.
First floor
Stairs to the first floor with handrail.
Bedroom two with zip and link bed which can be configured to a super king or 3' twin, side tables, dressing table, built-in cupboard with shelving and hanging space, wall-mounted Smart TV.
Bedroom three with zip and link bed which can be configured to a super king or 3' twin, side tables, chest of drawers, wardrobe with sotrage and hanging space, wall-mounted Smart TV.
Family bathroom with bath, basin and WC.
Bedroom four with zip and link bed which can be configured to a super king or 3' twin, side tables, dressing table, wall-mounted Smart TV. Separate dressing room with hanging and storage space.
En-suite bathroom with large walk-in shower (rainforest head), heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Outside
The property benefits from an enclosed private garden to the rear with a 6ft. close-boarded fence. This is a combination of patio, lawn and planting. Outside tap.
To the front access is a gravelled drive with private parking. Log store and secure bike storage for up to eight bikes.
Parking
There is private parking for up to four cars. EV charging available - see EV section.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
There are two complimentary EV charging points in the parking bays to the front of the property. These are available for use by guests staying at Cambridge House, Cottage Number One, and Cottage Number Two.
For safety reasons, please only use the dedicated charger for car charging at this property. Discover alternative electric vehicle charging points here.
Babies & Children
Babies and children are welcome. A travel cot and high chair can be provided on request.
Dogs
Two dogs are welcome but they should be clean before accessing the property, and should be kept to the ground floor only. They are not permitted on the furniture or in the bedrooms. An outside tap is available.
Guest amenities
The beds are made up with high quality bed linen. A hair dryer is supplied in each double bedroom. Towels and toiletries are provided.
Wi-Fi & Mobile Coverage
Fibre broadband is available with a back-up 4G hub. Mobile coverage is reasonable.
Heating
Oil fired central heating. Underfloor heating through the ground floor. Wood burning stove in the sitting room - logs supplied. It is imperative that the wood burning stove is not over-loaded - minimum two logs at any given time.
Guest privacy
Cambridge House sits in a row of three properties. Cambridge House is the middle property, with Cambridge House Cottage Number One and Cambridge House Cottage Number Two on either side - all are available as holiday lets for larger parties who wish to holiday together.
Additional Accommodation
Cambridge House (sleeps 8) can be let in conjunction with Cambridge House Cottage Number One (sleeps 2) and Cambridge House Cottage Number Two (sleeps 4).
Location
Experience the delights of island life during your stay on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. The tidal island is cut off from the mainland twice a day, but fear not as the island has a good range of shops and eateries. Although there is no supermarket, you will find '1st Class Food' which is a one-stop post-office, shop and café stocking a good supply of basic grocery essentials and local foods as well as tasty ready meals for those times when you want a quick meal. Coffee and light lunches can also be enjoyed at the popular Pilgrims Coffee House & Roastery, or try Island Oasis coffee shop. For hearty evening meals on the island, you can choose from two traditional pubs - The Ship Inn or The Crown & Anchor.
The island also offers a number of small independent shops. Holy Island Crafts and Celtic Crafts both have a delightful range of handcrafted gifts and jewellery, and a trip to the island wouldn’t be complete without calling into Lindisfarne Mead shop. Inspired by meads of the 7th Century and the island's rich history, the famous Lindisfarne Mead is a unique drink produced on Holy Island and can be purchased in the shop.
Just over the causeway, you will find The Barn at Beal for lingering lunches savouring the catch-of-the-day or informal dining and a craft beer at The Bothy bar (please check seasonal opening times).
You can get ‘corner shop’ provisions from the Londis Lindisfarne Service Station on the A1 (5 miles), or 11 miles will take you to the village of Belford which offers a range of local amenities including the Sunnyhills Farm Shop which sells fabulous local produce as well as serving excellent coffee and tasty food. Food fans will be delighted by the wealth of local goodies on offer here including Doddington Dairy ice cream, Northumberland cheeses, Lindisfarne Oysters, Chainbridge Honey, and Craster Kippers to name but a few.
More extensive amenities can be found in the Elizabethan walled town of Berwick-upon-Tweed (14 miles) which has a mix of high street and independent shopping, as well as two large supermarkets, a Marks & Spencers food outlet and a good selection of cafes, pubs and restaurants.
The town of Berwick-upon-Tweed is also served by the main East Coast rail line with regular services to Edinburgh and Newcastle for a city day out.
Activities
The whole area is bursting with things to do, dotted by a trail of castles and fortifications interspersed with pretty seaside villages all the way up and down the coast.
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne has plenty to offer itself. It is an overwhelmingly mystical place, home to the evocative remains of a ruined 11th-century priory, built by monks nearly 1,400 years ago. Call into the Heritage Centre to discover the legend of St. Cuthbert, and the fascinating medieval manuscript – The Lindisfarne Gospel. Arriving on the island it is hard to miss the distinctive 16th-century castle perched on the crag top. Owner by the Nation Trust, the castle offers visitors spectacular views as well as a chance to step back in time. Nearby you will find the Gertrude Jekyll Garden, a beautiful tranquil spot, bursting with colour during the summer months.
The majority of the island sits within Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. Nature lovers, birdwatchers and photographers will be captivated by the vast variety of wildlife and birdlife right on the doorstep. This is a spectacular stretch for migrant and wading birds, as well as seals which you may spot hauled out onto the sands around the island. Learn more about the island’s rich nature and wildlife at the superbly designed visitor information building located near to the castle.
For walking and relaxation, the beaches on this stretch of Northumberland coastline are an absolute delight. Holy Island itself offers some spectacular beaches to the north of the island and in the evening, you can wrap up and head outside to experience big sky views and some amazing sunsets.
On the mainland, nearby Cheswick and Goswick offer vast, deserted stretches of golden sands where you can wander to your heart's content, or head to Bamburgh (12 miles) with its glorious curves of white sandy beach backed by the dramatic outline of Bamburgh Castle as the stunning backdrop.
For cycling, the Northumberland Coast has plenty to offer with an abundance of trails and waymarked routes suitable for all ages and abilities from family routes, leisure routes, and mountain biking trails with everything from easy coastal stretches to high energy treks along the course of the Sandstone Way.
Take a boat trip from Seahouses to the outstanding Farne Islands nature reserve and seabird sanctuary; head to Craster to sample their legendary oak smoked kippers; or head inland to experience the medieval splendour of Alnwick Castle with its fantastic child-friendly activity programme inspired by the wizardly magic and broomstick antics of Harry Potter.
Walk the outstanding Elizabethan walls of the Old Town in Berwick-upon-Tweed taking in ancient bastions, watchtowers and gun batteries whilst enjoying stunning views of the coast and Tweed estuary, before stopping off for a tasty bag of fish and chips.
For a city day out, Berwick Station offers an easy day trip to the magnificent sights of Edinburgh, just 45 minutes journey by train.
C&C experiences
We invite you to enjoy the most coveted and exclusive local experiences available in the North of England and the South of Scotland on your next Crabtree & Crabtree adventure.
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Children and families
Here at Crabtree & Crabtree, we like to think we’ve pulled together some rather nifty ideas to keep tots to teens happy and entertained during your stay.
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Fishing
Welcome to the realm of the king of fish, the mighty River Tweed. Every year thousands of Atlantic Salmon make their way up river, an annual odyssey that is one of nature's miracles.
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Historic houses and castles
With more stately homes, castles and historic sites here than you can shake a proverbial stick at, visitors are quite simply spoilt for choice.
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Wildlife
Our region is home to outstanding scenery which boasts emerald forests, pristine lochs and rivers, heathery hillsides, sweeping moorlands as well as a picture perfect coastline.
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Walking
From the lush green uplands to shimmering sea, the area boasts a hugely diverse and enticing landscape that is perfect for exploring on foot. From gentle rambles to long-distance hikes, there are a vast array of trails and waymarked routes for newbie walkers or experienced alike.
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Museums, galleries and culture
Our museums tell the story of Borders people and provide a unique insight into our region’s heritage and culture, such as the turbulent past of the Border Reivers or the tragic tale of exiled Mary Queen of Scots.
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Golf
There are 40 golf courses in Northumberland, and another 21 in the Scottish Borders offering visitors an incredibly wide and varied range of golfing options.
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Adventure Sports
If you love a challenge or just crave a little excitement away from the day-to-day bustle of working life, we have lots to offer - whether it be watery pursuits, muddy blasts or thrill seeking, adrenaline-charged adventures.
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Cycling & mountain biking
Whether you ride fast or slow, on-road or off-road, there is something uniquely special about enjoying some outdoor time on two wheels. Here in the region we have something for everyone from high-energy mountain biking blasts to gentle forest paths the whole family can enjoy.
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Ancestral history research
Crabtree & Crabtree know that tracing the history of your family can be a wonderful journey of discovery. Here are our top tips for starting your family tree.
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Shooting
For sheer variety alone Northumberland and the Scottish Borders are irresistible to any gun.
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Dog sitting
Our experienced dog sitters will look after your furry friends whilst you are out exploring.
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Additional housekeeping
Award yourself a real break and let us provide a pair (or more) of helping hands.
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Wine delivery
Crabtree & Crabtree have teamed up with Corney & Barrow one of the longest established independent Wine Merchants in the UK to offer a bespoke service.
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Holiday photography
Family holidays, reunions and honeymoons kindle priceless moments that deserve preserving.
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"Thank you for a wonderful stay, the house is absolutely lovely. This is a wonderful property. Thanks again and hopefully we will return soon!"
McMullenAvailability
- Two dogs are welcome.
- This property is on Holy Island so it is cut off from the mainland twice a day by high tides. Visit the Property Details page for further details.
- Typical arrival day: Flexible
- Arrival time: 4pm
- Departure time: 10am
"Having Coves Haven’s beach’s high, grassy dunes, crashing waves and caramel-coloured sand completely to oneself – what a treat!"Jane, owner of Cambridge House
