I spent most of my final year of undergrad writing a massive thesis on the Lindisfarne Gospels and the people who love it (more or less). My awesome parents decided that the best graduation gift would be to send me (and my mom) on a whirlwind trip of the places I'd studied. A highlight of our week, certainly, was the two nights we spent on Holy Island at the Manor House.
I think most people rent a car (or drive their own) to cross the causeway to the island. We had no car--took a trian from London to Berwick-Upon-Tweed--but were able to get a taxi to take us over as soon as the tide went out for the evening.
If you want to spend a couple of days breathing monastic air and soaking up palpable history, stay at the Manor House. It's smack in the middle of the island, which was one of the coolest places I've ever been (OK, so my crush on St. Cuthbert makes me a little biased...)
The place is basically on top of the priory ruins, and if your room is on the right side, you have a great view of gardens, boats, ruins, sea, and the castle. We were on the backside and a view of the un-charming roof of a house, but it was all fine.
Breakfast and dinner are included in the cost of the stay and are really lovely. A menu with a variety of choices--my mom had a seafood pie...I had something vaguely Indian one night and something beefy and pastry-y another. Cozy breakfast with eggs, toast, and tea. Staffed mostly by teens from other European countries who seemed to be working/traveling for the summer.
We were there in August; at Christmas they sent us a card with a lovely picture of the island (there's a whole series of artwork done by one local artist all over the hotel). It brought back all kinds of lovely memories. Can't wait to go back someday and spend another peaceful weekend on Holy Island!
If you're going to stay right on the island, this seems to be the place to do it. read more