Seahouses Northumberland hotels:

The Farne Islands lie two to three miles off the Northumberland coast midway between the fishing village of Seahouses and the magnificent Castle of Bamburgh. As well as being the most famous Sea Bird Sanctuary in the British Isles they also have a large colony of Atlantic or Grey Seals. Join us on one of our many year-round trips and explore this most wonderous of British archipelagoes on one of our fleet of seagoing motor vessels. INNER FARNE BIRD SANCTUARY: This tour lasts approximately 2 1/2 hours including one hour spent on Inner Farne. The tour includes a cruise around all the Farne Islands, viewing the sea birds on the cliff faces, visiting the Grey Seal colonies and also follows the route Grace Darling and her father took during their heroic rescue in 1838. A full commentary is given en route and the boat stops at Inner Farne for one hour. National Trust members land free of charge on the Island and for non-members there is a charge payable to the Wardens on landing (see boat charges and landing fees). There is a walkway round the island suitable for disabled visitors and the National Trust have an Information Centre and public toilets on the island. During the breeding season, May 1st - July 31st, Inner Farne tours are only available in the afternoon. In April, August and September the tours are available 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm. (All landings are made entirely at the skippers' discretion). At 16 acres, Inner Farne is the largest of the Farne Islands and in the Summer months it becomes home to many thousands of nesting seabirds. These birds include Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, Sandwich Terns, Common Terns, Roseate Terns, Arctic Terns, Shags, Cormorants and Eider Ducks. In the year 678 Inner Farne was also home to St Cuthbert. After 12 years as Prior of Lindisfarne, St Cuthbert retired to Inner Farne until he became Bishop of Lindisfarne in 684. He returned to Inner Farne when his health deteriorated and died there on 20th March 687. A church was built on the island in 1370 dedicated to St Cuthbert and is open to the public today.