The Farne Islands (also referred to less formally as the Farnes) are a group of islands between two and five miles off the Northumberland Coast.There are 28 islands in total, 15 of which can be seen at high tide. They are scattered about 1 1/2–4 3/4 miles distant from the mainland, divided into two groups, the Inner Group and the Outer Group. The main islands in the Inner Group are Inner Farne, Knoxes Reef and the East and West Wideopens (all joined together on very low tides) and (somewhat separated) the Megstone; the main islands in the Outer Group are Staple Island, the Brownsman, North and South Wamses, Big Harcar and the Longstone. The two groups are separated by Staple Sound. The highest point, on Inner Farne, is 62 feet above mean sea level.
Farne Islands
Farne Islands -detailed map
Farne Island Boat Trips
In the warmer months the Farne Islands are an important wildlife habitat, and are much visited by boat trips from Seahouses. A 30 minute boat trip, departing from Seahouses brings in excess of 45,000 visitors to the islands throughout the year.Local boats are licensed to land passengers on Inner Farne, Staple Island and the. Landing on other islands is prohibited to protect the wildlife. The most famous of the boat trip companies is Billy Sheils. He is mentioned in a Beatles song, has taken the queen out to the Farnes, and was made an MBE. He owns eight boats all named Glad Tidings and numbered 1 – 8.
In the warmer months the Farne Islands are an important wildlife habitat, and are much visited by boat trips from Seahouses. A 30 minute boat trip, departing from Seahouses brings in excess of 45,000 visitors to the islands throughout the year.Local boats are licensed to land passengers on Inner Farne, Staple Island and the. Landing on other islands is prohibited to protect the wildlife. The most famous of the boat trip companies is Billy Sheils. He is mentioned in a Beatles song, has taken the queen out to the Farnes, and was made an MBE. He owns eight boats all named Glad Tidings and numbered 1 – 8.
Billy Sheil Farne Islands Boat Trips Skipper
Glad Tidings III
Glad Tidings VIThe most rewarding months being May, June and July when tens of thousands of birds are roosting.
The islands are the summer home of four of the five species of British tern, as well as twelve other species of seabird, including puffins (also known as the 'Sea Parrot' and locally known as the 'Tommy Noddy'), guillemots and kittiwakes.
At the right time of year many Puffins can be seen and these are very popular with visitors; on the Inner Farne, the Arctic Terns nest close to the path and will attack visitors who come too close (visitors are strongly advised to wear hats). Some of the islands also support a population of Rabbits, which were introduced as a source of meat and have since gone wild. The Rabbit and Puffin populations use the same burrows at different times, the Puffins being strong enough (with a vicious bite) to evict the Rabbits from the burrows during the nesting season.
The islands are the summer home of four of the five species of British tern, as well as twelve other species of seabird, including puffins (also known as the 'Sea Parrot' and locally known as the 'Tommy Noddy'), guillemots and kittiwakes.
At the right time of year many Puffins can be seen and these are very popular with visitors; on the Inner Farne, the Arctic Terns nest close to the path and will attack visitors who come too close (visitors are strongly advised to wear hats). Some of the islands also support a population of Rabbits, which were introduced as a source of meat and have since gone wild. The Rabbit and Puffin populations use the same burrows at different times, the Puffins being strong enough (with a vicious bite) to evict the Rabbits from the burrows during the nesting season.
Arctic Terns
Arctic Tern in Flight
Arctic Tern Attack!
Puffin with sandeels
Puffins in flight
Puffins, Sea Parrots or the local term for them - a Tommy Noddy!
Guillemot with chick
KittiwakeThe islands also hold a notable colony of about 6,000 Grey Seals, (also known as the Atlantic grey seal), with the 1000 or so pups being born each year in September-November. The colonies here are one of the most important in Europe, and this species of seal is the largest surviving carnivore in the British Isles and resides throughout the year.
Young Seal
Inquisitive Creatures
Seals on Wamses
Young Grey SealIn the late autumn of 2007, two basking sharks measuring in the region of 20 feet in length were spotted offshore around The Farne Islands. This is the first time these gentle giants have been seen in this area, and only the 17th time they have been seen off the north east coast. The two sharks fed on plankton for six days before swimming off, perhaps migrating to warmer waters.
Occasionally the Farne Islands are visited by pods of Dolphins.These playful animals approach the tour boats very closely, allowing visitors a birds-eye view of their amusing antics.
Dolphins - adult and juvenile
DolphinsVisit Inner Farne in summer for a close encounter with 1000s of nesting seabirds, including puffin, shag, and four types of tern. Discover a more serene, historic island in early spring or autumn, with St Cuthbert's Chapel, the medieval pele tower and Victorian lighthouse to see. It's a great place for all the family, with a visitor centre and easy access boardwalk.
Inner Farne - The Lighthouse
Prior Castell's Tower(now the Wardens house)
Inner Farne - View of St Cuthbert's Chapel and Landing Stage (above chapel roof)
Inner Farne - St Cuthbert's Chapel
Inner Farne - St Cuthbert's ChapelGrace Horsley Darling Memorial Stone
Inner Farne - St Cuthbert's Chapel
Inner Farne - St Cuthbert's Chapel
Inner Farne - St Cuthberts Chapel
East Window - Grace Horsley Darling detail
Staple Island - The Pinnacles
Brownsman Island
Reflections of Longstone
Longstone Lighthouse
Inner Farne - St Cuthbert's Chapel
Inner Farne - St Cuthbert's ChapelEast Window
Inner Farne - St Cuthberts ChapelEast Window - Grace Horsley Darling detail
One of the Farnes' outer group of islands, Staple is an exposed, rugged rocky outcrop, best suited to the more adventurous visitor! Its gullies, cliffs and nearby sea stacks, known as the 'Pinnacles', are a perfect habitat for breeding guillemot, razorbill and kittiwake.
Staple Island - The Pinnacles
Staple Island - The Pinnacles
National Trust wardens live on both Inner Farne and Brownsman. On Brownsman their home is the old lighthouse keepers' cottage. This island is not open to the public, but you can see the ruins of two lighthouse beacons here when you pass on a boat. Its beaches are a popular pupping ground for grey seals each autumn.
Brownsman IslandLongstone Lighthouse was built in 1825 and lived in until 1990 when it became automated. Four miles off the Northumberland coast, it was from here that Grace Darling and her father set out to rescue the survivors of a wrecked paddle-steamer, the Forfarshire, when it ran aground on a nearby islet in 1838. Longstone is owned by the National Trust, but managed by Trinity House.
Reflections of Longstone
Longstone Lighthouse 
Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI live (and work) near Seahouses but haven't been out on a boat since I was about 7!
Sarah
Many thanks for your kind comment. It is a few years since I was last out on the Farnes. If I remember correctly it was the same years that the Longstone went automatic!
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