OFF THE coast of Northumberland is a “pint-sized island” where you’re more likely to spot a cute seal than a local.
Holy Island, also called Lindisfarne, is often overlooked as a holiday destination.
However, we spoke to tour guide Patrick Norris who has visited hundreds of times, and raved about the nature of the island.
In fact there’s so much wildlife that it has even 6,000 seals to its 150 permanent residents.
Patrick, who hosts guided tours across the Pilgrim’s Walk to the island, told us: “The Atlantic grey seals haul out on the sandbars during the summer and sit and shout – they can be really noisy.
“Bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen too, and there’s the occasional minke whale that passes through the harbour.
“Porpoises are regular visitors to the offshore areas around Holy Island too.
“For birds, the Farne Islands are the best place to visit as they are home to around 200,000 summer seabirds.
“The puffins and pretty much all the seabirds nesting on the Farnes are only there really from mid-April to mid-August.”
You can see the Farne Islands from Holy Island, and the best way to see them is on a boat trip from Seahouses Harbour.
Northumberland is also known for its beautiful coastline and has some of the best beaches in the country, like Bamburgh, and Patrick tells us that Holy Island is no exception.
He said: “The white sandy beaches are well hidden on the eastern and northern shoreline.”
Patrick added: “To get to them you’ve got to go beyond the castle, walk to Emmanuel Head and head down.
“They’re small, hidden beaches and not many people go to them either so they’re usually quiet.”
While it was once a religious place, hence the name, Holy Island has recently become all the more popular – along with its huge castle, it has pubs, cafes and even a distillery.
Patrick told us: “I’m a regular at all of them, there are three pubs, The Ship Inn, The Manor House and The Crown and Anchor – all are lovely.
“There are three cafes, Chare Ends, 1st Class Food which is also a post office, and then there’s one of my favourites, Pilgrims Coffee.
“I love it there because they roast their own coffee in the garden and serve it in the cafe, the food and atmosphere there are great too.
“There’s a new one that’s just opened as well called Causeway Cafe, it’s inside the former Coastguard station – I’m yet to visit it.
“There’s a distillery too, and winery where you can buy locally made mead.”
Holy Island is tidal and so is only accessible at certain times of the day, so Patrick advise visitors to take precautions when visiting.
He said: “I’d seriously consider going with a guide for those who want to walk Pilgrim’s Way.
“It’s a path across the bay, which dates back 1,400 years or so and is marked by a line of poles.
“But if you have a young family and a car full stuff then you can just drive over – there is a car park on the island.”
“As it’s a tidal island you must look at the safe crossing times before you go – one of my bugbears is there people talk about tide times but these vary.
“Visitors have to follow the safe crossing times.”
You can check the safe crossing times here.
Both the path and causeway will flood with water twice a day – cars have even been stranded in the water, but Patrick assures us that this is very rare.
He added “the hardest conversation will be with your insurance company.”
When it comes to the best time to visit, Patrick says you’ll see all sorts year-round.
He told us: “In the summertime the pubs, cafes and shops are full. Just be prepared in July and August for it to be busy – it won’t be a peaceful retreat.
“But between September and October it is, it’s fantastic.
“You can see the sites in four hours, see the old buildings, head to the castle, grab a good coffee, and the wildlife is amazing. Right now the meadows are overflowing with wildflowers.
“Don’t miss Emmanuel Head either, it’s a huge white pyramid which is a daymark and the first on the English coast.
“There’s a nice walk out to it, and you might even spot dolphins along the way.”