Inner Farne wildlife walk
Follow a gentle circular walk on the Farne Islands, one of the natural highlights of the Northumbrian coast. Famed for providing sanctuary to St Cuthbert in the 7th century, Inner Farne is now renowned as a summer haven for nesting seabirds. For a unique wildlife experience, visit between April and July, or explore a more tranquil, historic island after the breeding season finishes.
Near to
Farne IslandsStart point
Island jetty, grid ref: NU218359Trail information
*A circular route over boardwalk and cobbles. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Boardwalk with no handrail, suitable for most pushchairs. Can be slippery. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs, including assistance dogs, are not allowed on the islands to minimise disturbance to breeding birds and seals.
Breeding Arctic terns
Arctic terns make very protective parents, so beware when their chicks have hatched. If you walk too close, they'll dive-bomb you to keep their little ones safe – remember to bring a hat to protect your head. You can also slowly wave a hand above your head to discourage them.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Island jetty, grid ref: NU218359
Stage 1
Take care stepping off the boat onto the jetties and climb up the boardwalk. The small stone building on your left is the fishe house. From April to July this is the first place you meet breeding Arctic terns. They nest near the path and can be very defensive of their eggs or chicks.
Stage 2
Go left to start your circuit of the island. This is all Arctic tern nesting zone in early summer. Chicks could be dotted around the cobbles so watch where you step and never run.
Visitors walking in autumn near St Cuthbert's Chapel on Inner Farne, on the Farne Islands | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey Stage 3
Follow the boardwalk and to the left you'll see the one spot on Inner Farne where sandwich terns cluster together to breed.
Stage 4
Walk up the island to the lighthouse. Before it was built in 1825 a beacon used to get lit on top of the Pele Tower to warn off ships. Turn left to Lighthouse Cliff viewpoint. From here you can see Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance on a clear day. These are the tallest rock faces on the island and the clifftops are home to thousands of breeding guillemots, shag and kittiwake in summer.
Group of grey seals on the Farne Islands, Northumberland | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey Stage 5
Return to the lighthouse and turn left past the picnic area. There used to be two more cottages here where the lighthouse keepers and their families lived.
Stage 6
Follow the boardwalk through an area filled with puffin burrows and take a quick detour left to the Quarry viewpoint. Bamburgh Castle is straight ahead of you on the mainland.
Stage 7
On your left is a large expanse of rocky foreshore. If there's a large sea swell, you might see the Churn blowhole spout out water up to 27 metres (90ft) in the air.
Stage 8
Return to the information centre, passing the monks' old vegetable garden on your left.
End point
Information Centre
Trail map
Map route for Farne Islands Inner Farne wildlife walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Get in touch
Near Seahouses, Northumberland, For Sat Nav use NE68 7RQ
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