Farne Islands: England’s Marine Wildlife Haven
The Farne Islands are located just off the town of Seahouses, on the Northumbrian coast. People can take boats to view (from afar) what is Sir David Attenborough’s favourite wildlife-watching spot in England. But mostly nobody other than wildlife rangers are allowed on the island, to monitor populations and keep habitats safe.
Always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe. If at the coast, read our post on keeping dogs safe at the seaside.
The Farne islands are home to around 43,000 pairs of puffins during breeding season, and hosts England’s largest breeding colonies for Atlantic grey seals.
Along with being one of Europe’s most important seabird sanctuaries, with over 200,000 breeding pairs from over 20 species (including Arctic terns, guillemots, razorbills, and eider ducks.
Dogs (including assistance dogs) are not allowed on the Farne Islands, due to wildlife. A few ferry owners may let dogs stay with them, if you visit. Or enjoy local dog-friendly beaches (check for seasonal restrictions). Read more on keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
There are three lighthouses on the Farne Islands. Longstone Lighthouse is linked to the rescue by Grace Darling and her father Robert in 1838 (rowing out to save shipwreck survivors, in rough seas).
St Cuthbert was ‘the first environmental saint’ who campaigned for eider duck welfare. Legend has that otters would dry his skin with their fur, after he had gone for a swim! Many monks lived here in the days of hermits, often not seeing other people for years.
Nearby Smaller Islands
Less well-known is nearby Staple Island, which is a small rocky skerry on Outer Farne, also an important wildlife haven for birds and seals. This is not visited much by humans, due to Gun Reef (a dangerous ridge of rocks that extends from the southwestern point).
Coquet Island, a mile off Amble, is a haven for some of Britain’s rarest birds including roseate terns, sandwich terns, puffins and eiders. The RSPB manages the island as a nature reserve, using solar-powered cameras and remote monitoring to keep the birds safe.
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne (Northumberland)
Lindisfarne is a small island (just 3 by 1.5 miles) off Northumberland’s coast, with just 200 residents, but 650,000 yearly tourists. The island is surrounded by a nature reserve, home to many birds and native seals.
Always check the tide times, as it’s common for people to get stranded and have to be rescued from their cars, when the road to this island disappears. Read more on tidal causeways.
If you’re a fan of the TV detective drama Vera, although parts of it are filmed elsewhere (Newcastle, Hexham and Alnmouth), the main character’s home is filmed on Lindisfarne, which was featured in the episode The Rising Tide.
Many religious hermits would spent years here. Local boy St Cuthbert was regarded as the world’s first religious environmentalist. He guarded sheep, and campaigned for the welfare of eider ducks. It’s said that otters would dry his fur, after he’d gone for a swim!
It’s said that he became a monk, after witnessing angels carrying St Aidan’s body to heaven. Craving isolation, he returned to live on Inner Farne, after serving as Bishop of Lindisfarne. After he died, his body was taken back to Lindisfarne, where the many claimed miracles at people who prayed by his grave, led to him being declared a saint.
St Aidan of Lindisfarne is the religious hermit credited to bringing Christianity to pagan lands. He arrived here from the Scottish island of Iona, where he would walk the streets performing miracles, and converting people with his love.
The other two saints associated with this tiny island are St Eadberht (a bishop who is now buried in Durham cathedral) and St Eadfrith (who created the Latin manuscripts for the Lindisfarne Gospels).
