The Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin

The Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin

The Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin
4.5
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  • Pippa S
    Wye Valley of Monmouthshire, United Kingdom44 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A quiet space to sit and contemplate
    A beautifully peaceful church with some stunning stained glass windows and carvings. One of the highlights of our visit to Lindisfarne. Highlights to look at were the Lindisfarne window and the carving of the child and dove on the font. There are some lovely views from the churchyard, including across to the Priory and Castle.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 May 2024
  • BamBam
    Doncaster, United Kingdom499 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful serene church
    Lovely quiet church, set on the edge of the village and next to the Priory ruins. In the entrance is a map of the world where you can place a pin to show who/where you are praying for. There was also a sermon we caught half way through.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 May 2024
  • nessief
    Worcester, United Kingdom1,645 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A 'thin' place
    This ancient Church is built on the site of St. Aidan's original chapel. As soon as you enter, you can feel the prayers and worship of hundreds of years. It is a very spiritual place. We first explored the Church on a Friday and went back on the Sunday for a Communion service. The service was lovely, simple, and meaningful. The Church is full of interesting displays and information. The carving of the Journey (monks carrying St Cuthbert's remains) is stunning and moving. There are many different prayer request facilities around the building, some are quite innovative. Would definitely return and recommend.
    Visited October 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 13 October 2024
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles437 reviews
Excellent
289
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131
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14
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alibatty🦇
Dundee, UK21,401 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Solo
This beautiful and sublimely peaceful church is reputedly built on the site of where St. Aidan’s monastery originally stood. Parts of this building are the oldest on the island dating back to the 7th century - several hundred years before the nearby Norman priory was built. There are Saxon parts remaining , including a Saxon archway. Two 20th century stained glass windows celebrate St. Aidan & St. Cuthbert. The church was largely rebuilt in the 12th & 13 century, with the bell cote added in the 18th century. Your eye is drawn to a moving rustic elm sculpture by Fenwick Lawson ( 1999) which depicts hooded monks carrying the coffin of St. Cuthbert to the safety of Durham Cathedral. The atmosphere in this sacred place is like a long cool drink for a thirsty soul.
Written 30 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dsh
Fife, UK100 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2023
What a beautiful church the inside is stunning with the stained glass being exceptional, the graveyard around the church is well cared for and a history in its self of the good and religious throughout the centuries. The history of the island only adds to the peaceful nature now relevant inside the church. You do not need to be religious to enjoy a visit which is free for all, but please show some respect when you are their I have visited the island a number of times and unfortunately this was the only year I that I observed people walking on graves to take photographs and even stealing bool marls from inside the church rather than pay at the 'honestly' box thankfully both were challenged and apologised for the mistake.....
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joasi23
South Yorkshire, UK2,079 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2023 • Couples
Worth going in if only to read the moving memorials on the walls of lost loves ones . The interior is beautiful, the information about the gospels was fascinating and the modern sculpture near the entrance makes you stop in your tracks. Simply magnificent
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David S
Middlesbrough, UK2,396 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
Said to stand on the site of the original island monastery, this is the oldest building on Holy Island and the only one on the island that has aspects of work from the Saxon period still incorporated. Quaint and unassuming church worth visiting. Atmospheric and charming religious gem.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karl Musgrove
Burnopfield, UK455 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 • Family
A wonderful church,set alongside the priory.
Picturesque, with many ancient artifacts, including the wooden carving of the monks carrying St.Cuthberts coffin and the statue of St.Aiden in the church yard.
A tranquil place,ideal for contemplation and to light a candle for past loves ones.
Written 1 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Barrie P
Kingston-upon-Hull, UK135 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
Whilst on a visit to Holy Island my wife & I visited this Church. It is a very interesting place & is so peaceful inside. Great to see the Lindisfarne Gospels, the stained glass windows, the sculpture & the array of books etc available to buy. The building appears to be well maintained & was very clean. The grounds surrounding the Church also were well maintained. Reading some of the tombstones, which were many years old, gave an insight into the lives of many of the islanders. Well worth a visit.
Written 26 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lorraine S
Edinburgh, UK6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
This is an ancient church built upon the site of the original priory established by Aiden. Lots to look at in this active, working church, the architecture, windows, sculptures, the history. Churchyard is also worth a look.
Written 22 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pauline O
Chichester, UK153 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
A lovely church with such a great history. There is a splendid statue of St Aiden in the grounds. Lovely views of the castle ( which was closed during our visit to island); however Holy Island is well worth a visit, especially having had to wait for the tide to abate over the causeway to gain access to Lindisfarne.
Written 2 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fiona N
70 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Couples
Beautiful church. Welcoming staff. A smile and a few friendly words go a long way!
Very interesting displays with good illustrations.
Has a really nice spiritual feel.
A credit to the local community.
Written 30 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mike B
Castle Douglas, UK30 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2015 • Family
It is worth going to this interesting old church just to see the wooden larger-than-life carving of the monks carrying St Cuthbert's coffin. An awesome piece of work. Other features of interest include the letter from the Norwegian bishops apologising for the Viking raids!
Written 13 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Holy Island

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