One of my favourite trips to do in Northumberland is a boat trip to the stunning Farne islands. Situated just off the coast at Seahouses but visible from many of our shores the cluster of islands is a heaven for bird and wildlife spotters and a great trip out for all the family.
David Attenborough himself named them as his favourite place to see nature in the UK! Doesn’t come much more highly recommended than that! There are about 23 different species of birds here including the amazing puffins that visit every year to breed. Such a sight to see them zoom across the ocean with beaks full of sand eels all around you. Around 43,000 pairs of puffins will make the Farne islands their home between March and July, returning to the same burrows every year with the same partner!
There is also one of the largest grey seal colonies on the east coast here at the Farnes who love to laze on the rocks by Longstone lighthouse and pop their heads up by the boat to see the passers by. Divers who visit the area describe them as playful puppies once in the water with them. Around 3000 pups are born here every year
Longstone lighthouse on the island was once the home of local and national heroine Grace Darling who bravely rescued men from the wreck of the Forfarshire ship that crashed into the rocks in 1838 with her father. The lighthouse was first built in 1773 and there are currently two lighthouses out here at the Farne Islands.
The islands are formed from a volcanic rock formation called The Great Whin Sill, this rock is also what the Northumberland castles Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Lindisfarne sit upon.
If you’re lucky you might catch a pod of dolphins on your trip as they regularly swim up and down our coastline. I was over the moon to experience this on a sunset cruise last summer truly a core memory moment. The sunset cruises are amazing here Ive done a few now those views just make me speechless, there’s nothing like seeing those golden glows when you’re out at sea reflecting off the waves.
I sail with Serenity boat trips from Seahouses harbour, here is there website for more info and bookings https://farneislandstours.co.uk/the-farne-islands/ . Their knowledge is amazing with a running commentary throughout your trip definite recommend to learn more about the islands.
This a trip I take every year (more than once!) and is definitely a must do if you’re thinking of visiting the area.
