The Farne Islands
Photo by Daryl Walker (@darylswalker)
The Farne Islands are a group of uninhabited islands lying just off the Northumberland Coastline. Depending on the state of the tide 15‑28 rocky islands depending lie scattered 1‑5 miles from the mainland and are divided into the inner group and the outer group.
Route Section: Northumberland Coast
Operators: Billy Shiel’s, Serenity, Golden Gate
Boats depart: Seahouses Harbour
About the Islands
Photo by Callum Thompson (@adventure_cal)
The Farnes are formed solely from volcanic igneous rock on the eastern edge of Northumberland’s great geological formation called the Whin Sill.
After the end of the ice age, you could have easily walked from these islands to the mainland. Rising sea levels have now cut them off, which has created an off-shore sanctuary for some of Northumberland’s most spectacular wildlife.
Sailing to the Farnes
Photo by Callum Cowie (@calcowie)
Of the 28 islands, only 3 are accessible; Inner Farne, Staple (May‑July) and Longstone.
To visit the Farne Islands you’ll need to get on one of the boats sailing from Seahouses harbour. Three operators run timetables from March ‑ October.
Atlantic Grey Seals
Often found basking on the rocky islands you’re almost guaranteed to spot one of the world’s rarest species ‑ the Atlantic grey seal.
These animals are officially endangered and their survival has been threatened by water pollution, fishing nets and overtourism.
On the Northumberland Coast however, the colony is thriving. An estimated 3‑4 thousand grey seal population call the Farne Islands home, with hundreds of pups born each autumn.
Puffins
There are few better places to see puffins up close than on the Farne Islands. Each year between April and late July over 50,000 pairs of puffins descend on the Rocky Isles, creating somewhat of a puffin paradise.
These characterful birds spend most of their lives out to sea, overwintering on the water and only returning to land for a short window to breed and raise their young.
Longstone Lighthouse
Photo by Callum Cowie (@calcowie)
The Farne Islands have a long history of needing to warn passing ships of the many surrounding hazards above and below the surface.
The distinctive red and white Longstone lighthouse situated on Longstone Rock has played a major role in preventing many maritime disasters off the Northumberland Coastline since 1826.
The lighthouse is still active today, although fully automated and ran entirely by solar power!
A stormy night in 1838
Photo by Callum Cowie (@calcowie)
On your voyage around the Islands keep an eye out for the crumbling old lighthouse and keepers cottage on Brownsman Island.
This is the former home of a courageous young woman who saved nine sailors from the SS Forfarshire shipwreck which broke up on the rocks during a frightful storm.
More than 180 years on, the remarkable tale of Grace Darling lives on. You can learn more about this fascinating story at the RNLI Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh.