Cross on St Cuthbert's Isle, Holy Island. Photo by Northumberland County Council.


St Cuthbert's Isle, Holy Island (Copyright © Don Brownlow)


St Cuthbert's Isle from the air, with Holy Island behind. Photo by Mick Aston, 2000.

These are the remains of a small medieval chapel on St Cuthbert's Isle, a small island which is completely cut from Holy Island when there is a high tide. A chapel dedicate to St Cuthbert on Holy Island is described by Bede in the late seventh/early eighth century. The island was probably used by St Cuthbert (AD630 to 687) as a hermitage. The chapel which can now be seen was probably built in the 13th century AD. It is rectangular in shape. Attached to the west wall of the chapel is a small rectangular extension. The chapel stands on a slight earthwork platform and is surrounded on three sides by a ditch. To the north-west of the chapel is small circular mound which may be the remains of a small circular house, possibly used by St Cuthbert. A rectangular building can be seen to the south-east. This is a Scheduled Monument protected by law.