Farne Islands

The Farne Islands are a National Nature Reserve, famed for its thousands of nesting seabirds and seal colony. The Islands are held on behalf of the nation by the National trust and are open to visitors during the months April to October. There are 30 Farne Islands altogether and are divided into two main groups. The Inner group lie approximately two and a quarter miles from Seahouses and the largest is the Inner Farne, which is easily identified by the white lighthouse. Among the Outer group the best known is Longstone with its lighthouse, made famous by Grace Darling and her father with the wreck of the steam ship "Forfarshire". Also in this group are the Brownsman with its three towering pinnacles, the nesting site for hundreds of birds.

Inner Farne or Farne House, at 16 acres, is the largest of the 30 islands which make up the Farne group. Records show that the first known inhabitant was St. Aidan who went to live there and meditate in 640AD, while he was Bishop of Lindisfarne. St. Cuthbert, the next inhabitant followed Aidan in 676AD and he lived alone on the Island until 684AD, when he became the Bishop of Hexham. Two years later he returned to Inner Farne where he died in March 687AD. His remains were later taken to Durham Cathedral, where they still rest.

After Cuthbert there was a succession of hermits until in 1255 the convent of Durham decided that two Benedictine Monks should live on the island. Between 1369-72 two churches were built on the Island dedicated to St. Cuthbert and St. Mary. St. Cuthbert's church was much restored in 1848 under the instruction of Archdeacon Thorpe of Durham, and further restoration was carried out in 1928. The remains of St. Marys church are now used as a visitor centre by the National Trust. The Pele Tower to the west of St. Cuthbert's Church was built about 1500 by the then Prior of Durham, Thomas Castell. During the region of Henry VIII it was used as a Fort with a small garrison and during the reign of Charles II it's main use was as a lighthouse.

In 1776 Trinity House constructed a new lighthouse on the Inner Farne, with a 43 ft high tower. Light was provided by burning wood and coal until 1809 when the first round tower totally enclosed light with revolving beam was erected. In 1910 the light was automated with the light running on Carbine gas. With this came the end of permanent habitation, as the light keepers and their families were no longer required. Today National Trust wardens live in the towers during the summer months. In 1960 the light was converted to burn bottled acetylene gas and only requires attention a few times a year.

Today evidence can still be seen of the field that the monks cleared and used to grow crops and above the landing at St. Cuthbert's cove, on a terrace stands the winch that the light keepers used to haul their boats above the high water mark.

The only mammals on the Inner Farne today are the rabbits, which are descended from the pets that the light keepers left behind when they returned to the mainland.

The seabirds of Northumberland are perhaps its greatest asset for bird watching. Many different species come to the various offshore islands throughout the summer to breed before departing for their various winter homes. Then the PUFFIN, GUILLEMOT and SHAG have their winter out at sea whilst the SANDWICH, COMMON TERN and ARCTIC TERN head for their African winter quarters.

All the above species of seabird, plus at least 10 others, may be seen on the Farne Islands, reached from regular boat trips from Seahouses Harbour. The islands are owned by the National Trust and two, Staple and Inner Farne, permit landing both in the breeding season (May-July) and out of season (April and August-September).

Admission fees are additional to boat tickets and the 3 main boatmen are:

J Hanvey, tel: (01665) 720388
Billy Shiel, tel: (01665) 720308.

Landing trips last for 2-3 hours
Non-landing (sail-a-round) last for 1-2 hours

For further information tel (01665) 721099

Be sure to take a hat with you on your visit to the Farnes, as some of the terns will "dive bomb" visitors to protect their young!

Further south, off Amble, lies Coquet Island, managed by the RSPB. There are regular boat trips from May-September, but landing is not possible. In addition to the PUFFINS and COMMON TERNS, it is also possible to see EIDERS and ROSEATE TERNS from the boats. The Eider has a special place in Northumberland, as it was one of the first species to be protected by St Cuthbert in the 7th century, known locally as the Cuddy Duck. This is now used as the symbol for the Northumberland Coast.

On shore coastal areas it can be interesting for birds all year round. Holy Island, for example, is an international important area for birds on migration and as winter quarters. Large numbers of shorebirds BAR-TAILED GODWITS, KNOTS and REDSHANKS can be seen on the extensive mudflats in both spring and autumn, whilst fields and gardens on the island gather large numbers of THRUSHES and WARBLERS during migration times, especially in autumn. In winter, the mudflats hold large populations of wildfowl including thousands of WIGEON and a significant proportion of the worlds LIGHT-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE population. 7 miles north, in the Tweed estuary at Berwick is one of the largest herds of MUTE SWANS to be found in Britain, especially between late July and September. Their numbers dwindle in the winter months, but those that remain are then joined by GOLDENEYE, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, POCHARD and other wildfowl.

At the beautiful 7 mile long Druridge Bay, to the north of Lynemouth, a sea watch will often yield many species of sea ducks and divers. But it is for the unique mosaic of freshwater ponds and habitats, just inshore, that the bay has become so famous among birdwatchers. The habitats range from the shallow lagoon at Hauxley in the north to the recently finished East Chevington Reed Bed. These shallow waters provide a welcome staging post for wading birds like DUNLIN and CURLEW SANDPIPER on migration, whilst the flooded fields such as, Druridge Pools, can play host to a number of breeding waders and wildfowl. These areas are all managed by Northumberland Wildlife Trust and most have hides for which a permit can be obtained from the Hauxley Visitor Centre, signposted off the main road near Amble.

At the centre of the Bay is the County Council's own Druridge Bay Country Park, open all year. Here the deeper waters of the Ladyburn Lake come during winter when many diving ducks such as, RED BREASTED MERGANSER and SMEW take shelter from rough seas and freezing shallow water.