Photographs of Lindisfarne Castle

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Lindisfarne's position in the North Sea made it vulnerable to attack from Scots and Norsemen and by Tudor times it was clear there was a need for a stronger fortification. This resulted in the creation of the fort on Beblowe Crag which between 1570 and 1572 formed the basis of the present castle. Later, Elizabeth I had work carried out on the fort, strengthening it and providing gun platforms for the new developments in artillery technology. When James I came to power he combined the Scottish and English thrones and the need for the castle declined.
In the 18th century the castle was occupied briefly by Jacobite rebels, but was quickly recaptured by soldiers from Berwick. In later years the castle was used as a coastguard look-out. In 1901, it became the property of Edward Hudson. He had it refurbished by Sir Edwin Lutyens. The walled garden, originally the garrison's vegetable plot, was designed by Gertrude Jekyll.