Lindisfarne - Unique Viking Island

Essential Intel

Check tide times before you set off, and heed all warnings and suggested departure times. You need at least two hours to complete the Trail, and longer if you plan to visit the castle, explore the island further or stop for refreshments.

The island route can be cut off by the tide, and the tower can be climbed only if it is open.

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Lindisfarne, with Explorers helping Loki Heer follow carved stone runes in the dunes, track down the legendary Spoon of Thor and reveal its hidden location.

The quest covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll explore the village, follow a lane and green, investigate churchyard paths, head down to a small beach, continue along the bay, pass the upturned boats and move towards the lookout tower on the high ground.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route includes a path down to a small beach and a slope towards the sea, and one clue may need two strong explorers or one person to branch off briefly. There is also an optional side quest to detour to the castle from the fork in the path.

Take care around the tide, the beach and the slope towards the sea. There is also a village green section where you are told not to step on the grass until it is safe.

Getting There

By car: Start your Viking treasure quest at the large main Chare Ends car park, signed VISITOR PARKING from the main road to the village (TD15 2SE), using ///flamed.detective.diverts.

By public transport: Make your way to the large main Chare Ends car park, signed VISITOR PARKING from the main road to the village, to begin the hunt. The circular route returns you towards the village, where you can retrace your steps and head right to get back to your car.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are available just after Clue 02, and later in the adventure the directions note toilets in the car park on the left.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join this island quest 🐾

The route includes a lane, village areas, churchyard paths, a green, a small beach, the bay and a slope towards the sea, so keep canine companions close where the route meets roads, water and busier exploring spots. Remember to check tide times before setting off with paws as well as boots.

Food & Drink Stops

Rune-reading and relic-hunting are thirsty work. There are plenty of places to stock up on snacks or stop for refreshments in the village.

If you'd rather bring your own provisions, there are some scenic picnic spots near Clues 10 and 17.

Want to Make a Day of It?

St Mary's Church

The route takes you into the yard of St Mary's Church and around the church to uncover more clues. This is also where the world famous Lindisfarne Gospels, a copy of the four gospels, was written in 700 A.D. in a scriptorium in the monastery. It is now housed in the British Library, is 561 pages long, took 10 years to create and used 150 calf skins to make the vellum pages.

The Priory Museum

Your quest leads you to sniff around outside the Priory Museum, close to a bay linked with the first major Viking raid upon the country. The priory was a target because of its many items of value, making this a fitting place for Explorers chasing Loki Heer's Viking-flavoured mystery.

The bay and beach

The route leads down to a small beach and then along the bay, keeping it on your left and passing the upturned boats. With the bay's connection to the first major Viking raid upon the country, it's a brilliant place to pause, take in the island setting and imagine longships on the horizon.

The castle

If you take the left fork, you can follow an optional side quest to explore the castle. Count the benches between the route and the castle as part of the adventure, and if the tower is open you can climb it later for views around the island and beyond.