This tour explores all the key habitats of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, widely regarded as the jewel in the crown of the Northumberland coast.

You can choose to join either day of the weekend or both, with a discounted rate available for the full weekend. Each day follows a different route and offers the chance to see a slightly different selection of plants and wildlife, so we recommend attending both if you want to experience the island’s flora in full. However, each day also stands alone as a rewarding excursion, and we’re happy to advise on the differences between the itineraries when you enquire.

Over the course of the weekend, we will explore the Snook, the remote northern tip of Holy Island, where extensive dune slacks and grey dunes support one of the finest botanical assemblages in Britain. Here we hope to find impressive displays of Common Spotted, Northern Marsh and Early Marsh-orchids, along with their many hybrids, Marsh Helleborine and, best of all, Holy Island’s botanical speciality, the Lindisfarne Helleborine.

We’ll also search for a host of other plants associated with these rich dune systems, including Variegated Horsetail, Round-leaved Wintergreen, Brookweed, Seaside Centaury and Bog Pimpernel, before exploring the neighbouring saltmarshes with their distinctive flora. With a little luck, the last flowers of Purple Milk-vetch may still be in bloom.

A short visit to the island’s yellow dunes offers the chance to find elegant Pyramidal Orchid and, if fortune smiles upon us, the nationally scarce Scots Lovage at one of its southernmost east coast localities.

We’ll also visit Chare Ends, where Bee Orchid often provides a highlight alongside a diverse flora that includes the intriguing parasitic Common Broomrape.

Our longest walk of the weekend follows the Straight Lonnen to the island’s old quarry, taking us through species-rich grassland where Autumn Gentian, Carline Thistle, Blue Fleabane and Hound’s-tongue are all likely to be encountered, together with yet more orchids. Along the way, we’ll pause to search for the tiny Small Adder’s-tongue, known from just a single site in North East England, before spending time looking for the elusive Frog Orchid nearby.

Together, these walks provide a wonderful introduction to the exceptional flora of Holy Island, while also offering an opportunity to enjoy the island’s spectacular scenery, birdlife and other wildlife in one of Britain’s most celebrated coastal landscapes.

This promises to be very popular & we recommend booking soon to avoid disappointment!