Lindisfarne's local businesses
Lindsey Hackett,
managing director of St. Aidan's Winery

St. Aidan's Winery is the exclusive production place of the famous Lindisfarne Mead, a tasty honey wine. Three to four employees produce 75,000 to 125,000 units per year.

Mead is the oldest form of alcohol in the world and was introduced to Lindisfarne by the vikings, who called their mead 'Honeymoon Drink' as it was believed to increase fertility.
Gary Watson,​
owns and runs The Island Store

"Come in. It is bigger than you think!" says a board outside Gary's shop. From food, drinks and souvenirs to maps and gifts there is a lot on offer. Gary took the shop over from his father 21 years ago.
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His great-grandfather and grandfather were fishermen. Hear what Gary has to tell about fishing today.
Pamela McQueen,
cafe owner, The Stables, Marygate

Cakes, biscuits and pasties: Everything in Pamela's cafe is home made. Regular visitors affectionately call her 'Pam'.
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This is Pamela's 12th season on the island and she would not want to live anywhere else.
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"One time I took my grandson up the hill on the south shore during sunset, he looked over the island and said that this is the most beautiful place on earth. He was only six years old then," she tells us.

Janice Cowan,
manager of The Ship Inn
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Originally from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Janice felt in love with the island and now runs 'The Ship Inn'. "We get many lovely and interesting people here," she says. In her leisure time Janice likes to wander along the island's beaches.
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We came to hear what she has to tell about the pub's history and enjoyed a refreshing glass of 'Blessed Bitter' with her. See for yourself!
Valerie Mary Patterson ,
newsagent and post office

Valerie has run the island's post office together with her husband for 21 years. Now their daughter takes over the business. We met Valerie in the middle of the post office's renovation.

"It's been always busy. I am looking forward to a more quiet life now," she says.



Reverend Graham Booth,
warden of The Open Gate, a Christian retreat centre and B&B

Entering this retreat center is just what entering a retreat should be like. A place to warm up, tea facilities, a library and big comfortable chairs are the first things visitors notice when coming into The Open Gate.
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The Christian retreat is different from ordinary B&Bs in that it holds services twice a day; participation is an offer but not a must.

Graham has come into the community six and a half years ago and is now very involved with the life in the village. "This has become home," he says.
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Graham also knows best why people appreciate the island as a holy place. "God looks around every corner here," he smiles.

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Discover for yourself. Click on the sea shell to continue >>>
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