The new meaning of hidden gem
LINDISFARNE CASTLE WORK ON SCHEDULE FOR SPRING REOPENING
WORK is progressing on the restoration of one of the North East’s most famous landmarks.
The National Trust’s Lindisfarne Castle has been closed since November for £3m conservation work.
The 18-month project includes tackling penetrating damp, water ingress and restoring stonework and windows.
It comes following years of wear and tear to the 16th Century castle due to its exposed sea-facing location.
Nick Lewis, house steward at Lindisfarne Castle, said: “It is a major project – probably the biggest we’ve done in over a century.
“The idea is to repair the parts of the building which have been damaged over the years by the environment to maintain it for the future.
“At the moment they are working on the drainage works and most the windows are being refurbished before being put back in.
“Once all the plastering is done inside then they’ll start decorating. We’ve made significant progress over the last eight or nine months.”
Mr Lewis said the castle is still on track to reopen next spring.
“The work has been interesting for people to see and there’s a hell of a lot of work being done to maintain the building,” he said.
The castle was built in the 1550s using stone from the demolished Lindisfarne Priory.
Edward Hudson, the founder of Country Life magazine, bought and the castle and in 1902 hired architect Sir Edwin Lutyens to refurbish the building.
As part of that project, what had been the castle’s vegetable plot was transformed into a flower garden by famous designer Gertrude Jekyll.
Visitors are still able to enjoy the garden and the 19th Century lime kilns near the castle, while the visitor shop also remains open.
People travelling to Holy Island can keep up to date with the progress of the work by a display outside the building. Lindisfarne Castle attracted 93,000
visitors in 2015.