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Farne Islands
National Nature Reserve home to an internationally important breeding colony of thousands of seabirds and grey seals.
Near Seahouses, Northumberland, For Sat Nav use NE68 7RQ
Important notice
Please note - to land on the Farne Islands by private vessel, including sea- kayaks and yachts, please obtain a stamped ticket from the NT trailer on Seahouses harbour before travelling. Landing is not permitted without one.
Opening times for 16 September 2024
Asset Opening time Inner Farne 10:15 - 15:35 Shop 10:00 - 17:00 Landings weather and tide dependant. Please note - to land on the Farne Islands by private vessel, including sea- kayaks and yachts, please obtain a stamped ticket from the NT trailer on Seahouses harbour before travelling. Landing is not permitted without one.
MTWTFSS262728293031123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930123456OpenPartially openClosedInner Farne March - September
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £13.00 Child £6.50 Family £32.50 1 adult, 2 children £19.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Shop
In Seahouses
Toilet
Limited toilet facilities on Inner Farne. No toilets on Staple Island.
Inner Farne has a boardwalk around the island. Due to the very sensitive nature of the colony, no dogs (including assistance dogs) are allowed on the Islands. Toilets on Inner Farne.
Level access to shop
Steps/uneven terrain
Boardwalk on Inner Farne. Staple Island terrain is uneven and challenging. Steep steps from the landing jetty onto the island.
Level access/terrain
Boardwalk on Inner Farne
By road
Parking: in Seahouses opposite harbour (pay and display), not National Trust. Northumberland County Council discs are not valid, but keep your tickets for use at other coast car parks on the same day.
By train
Chathill, 4 miles (not Sundays, limited service). Alnmouth (Alnwick) and Berwick offer more regular service but a bus/taxi would then have to be taken to Seahouses.
By bus
X18 - Newcastle to Berwick calling at Alnmouth railway station - or 418 Alnwick to Berwick calling at Berwick railway station.
Near Seahouses, Northumberland, For Sat Nav use NE68 7RQ
Planning your visit
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Booking your boat trip to the Farne Islands
To sail around the Farne Islands, or land on Inner Farne you need to catch a boat from Seahouses harbour. It's recommended that you book your boat trip in advance. Read on to find out how to book and what to expect from your tour.
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How to visit the Farne Islands responsibly
We’ve put together some guidelines for you to follow to make sure the wildlife stays safe when you visit, plus tips for taking photos without disturbing the seabirds.
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Visiting the Farne Islands with your dog
Find out why dogs (including assistance dogs) aren't allowed on Inner Farne or Staple Island, and where else you can take your dog on the Northumberland Coast.
Highlights
Wildlife
These rocky islands off the Northumberland Coast are home to Atlantic grey seals and around 200,000 seabirds breed here, including approx 43,000 pairs of puffins. Sandwich and Arctic terns, guillemots, razorbills and eider ducks add to this wildlife spectacle.
Take a landing trip to Inner Farne
Visitors can book a landing trip to Inner Farne and walk amongst the thousands of seabirds that return here to breed every spring. To visit the colony during the breeding season is an unforgettable experience. National Trust members land for free.
'Sail around' tours
Hop on a boat at Seahouses and sail around the Farne Islands to get a close look from the water at the thousands of birds and seals that come here to breed each year. Look out for curious seals popping their heads above the water or lounging on the rocks and, if you're very lucky, you may spot dolphins from the boat.
Cultural heritage
With links to St Cuthbert who spent the last years of his life living on Inner Farne as a hermit, and the tranquil St Cuthbert's Chapel with it's 17th Century wood carvings and beautiful stained glass window, there is a wealth of history here to discover.
Longstone Lighthouse
The home of local heroine Grace Darling, take a boat trip that lands on the island and explore the red and white lighthouse on a guided tour. Only one boat operator takes trips to this island - find out more by contacting Golden Gate Farne Islands Boat Trips.
Shop
Pop into the shop in Seahouses before or after your boat trip round the Farne Islands for puffin souvenirs, postcards, homewares, gardening tools, books and more.
Things to see and do
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Things to see on the Farne Islands
Find out what you might see when you take a boat trip to the Farne Islands, from wildlife such as puffins and grey seals, to centuries-old buildings including St Cuthbert's Chapel.
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Our guide to puffins
Every year, thousands of puffins come to the places in our care to breed. Find out more about what they eat, when they breed and the best time to see them up close.
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Arctic terns on the Farne Islands
Learn about the thousands of Arctic terns that migrate to the Farne Islands in summer to breed, discover where they like to nest and why it helps to wear a hat when you visit.
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Seals on the Farne Islands
Learn about the grey seal colony on the Farnes, as well as other seals that call the Islands home.
Trail
Inner Farne wildlife walk
Follow a circular walk on the Farne Islands for a unique wildlife experience, or explore a more tranquil, historic island after the breeding season finishes.
Shopping
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Shopping at Seahouses
Stop by the National Trust shop in Seahouses before or after your boat trip to the Farne Islands for puffin souvenirs, postcards, homeware, gardening tools, books and more.
Places to stay
Lookout Cottage
A former lookout, this simple but snug cottage is next to a HM Coastguard radio room.
Rockside Cottage
A former fisherman’s cottage next to a cosy pub with sea views and a bright, contemporary living space.
Risemoor
Close to the sands of Embleton Bay, this coastal cottage is a great spot for wildlife watching.
St Oswald's Cottage
A Grade II listed cottage on Holy Island, designed by Lutyens, reached by crossing a tidal causeway.
Glen House
Explore Holy Island from this comfortable cottage, just half a mile from Lindisfarne Castle.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Farne Islands
The Farne Islands are possibly the most exciting seabird colony in England with unrivalled views of 23 species, including around 43,000 pairs of puffin.
It's also one of the most important grey seal pupping sites in England, with more than 2,000 pups born every autumn.
Inner Farne is home to dive-bombing terns, a medieval chapel and Victorian lighthouse.
Historically, the islands also have strong links with Celtic Christianity and St Cuthbert, who lived here in the 7th century.
A short journey to a different world!
Our work
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Our work on the Farne Islands
Find out more about how we care for Farne Islands in Northumberland, from repairing the boardwalks to surveying seals and ringing birds to track their movements.
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Watch The Wild Life series
Our new nature series, The Wild Life, is full of inspirational stories about protecting wildlife and harnessing the power of nature in a changing climate. Join our presenters as they explore five places in our care to find out how the climate crisis is affecting oceans, rivers, woodlands and grasslands.
News
National Trust, RSPB and WWF join forces to save UK nature
We're urging everyone to help us stop the destruction of nature in the UK with the launch of Save Our Wild Isles, a joint campaign with charities RSPB and WWF. Discover a new documentary about the changes needed to save nature and find out what you can do to help.
History
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History of the Farne Islands’ inhabitants
Many people have called the Farne Islands home over the centuries, from hermits and monks to soldiers, lighthouse keepers and even shipwrecked sailors.
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History of the Farne Islands’ buildings
Discover how the Farne Islands have proved to be the ideal location for many structures over the centuries, from a monastery and chapels to a pele tower and several lighthouses.