Visit 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. NU218359

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. NU237375

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. NU237378

Longstone 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. NU247390

The Farnes are the most easterly outcrop of the Great Whin Sill, a strip of hard dark volcanic rock that stretches through Northumberland. Many of the islands hide underwater at high tide, making it a dangerous area for shipping. Visitors pass lots of these inaccessible islets on the boat to Inner Farne or Staple. Seals can often be seen lazing on their shorelines.