Tiny UK tidal island with historic castle and thousands of seals that was used to film a post-apocalyptic horror movie
OFF the coast of Northumberland is a remote, tidal island that you’ll have to time right to visit – as it is cut off from the mainland twice a day.
Called Lindisfarne, or by its other name, Holy Island, it might be familiar to fans of horror movies.
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The island off the coast of Northumberland was used to film post-apocalyptic film, 28 Years Later, which came out just last year.
The 2025 movie was about a group of survivors of the rage virus living on a small island starring actors like Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes.
Filming spots included the tidal causeway and Lindisfarne Castle which attracts thousands of visitors every year.
The National Trust took over the property in 1944 and it has been open to the public ever since.
Inside the castle, visitors can explore the different rooms, including a dining room, a kitchen, and bedrooms, as well as the upper battery, which has panoramic sea views.
In addition to exploring the interior of the castle, there are plenty of other things to see.
Entry to the castle is £14.30 for adults and £7.20 for children (between 5-17).
The island is also referred to as Holy Island, and it got its nickname after becoming the centre of Anglo-Saxon Christianity in the 7th century.
It was home to saints and it’s considered a very religious place.
But for those who want to move away from its history, there’s plenty to do on the island, like visit its coffee roastery, Pilgrims Coffee.
The business first set up in a yurt, but now even has a cosy cafe on the island too serving up caffeine hits and homemade cakes.
The family that runs Pilgrims Coffee moved from the mainland to Holy Island in 2022.
Another spot to visit is St Aidan’s Winery, where Lindisfarne Mead is made, and visitors to the island can pop in for tastings and browse the shop that sells its wine and beer.
The island has around 160 permanent residents, but it does have places for visitors to stay from hotels to holiday lets.
One of the top spots on Tripadvisor for Holy Island is Belvue Guesthouse which sleeps two guests.
One guest on Tripadvisor wrote: “We had such a lovely stay in Belvue, I think it was one of the best guesthouses we have ever been to!”
There are also cosy B&Bs as well as rooms in the local Ship Inn Pub.
The pub dates back to the 18th century with a dedicated dining room and a beer garden to the back.
It has also made an appearance on TV and was featured as the fictional ‘Seahorse Pub’ in ITV’s Vera.
Visitors can walk the historic Pilgrim’s Way or visit the Gertrude Jekyll Garden.
For seal spotting, head to the harbour or the sand flats around Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve where there are thousands of grey seals especially between February and October.
To get to Lindisfarne, you have to cross the causeway from the mainland which is only accessible at low tide from the town of Beal.
While the tides can be predicted, holidaymakers will need to check the crossings on the day on the Northumberland County Council website.