Puffin Heaven
The Farne Islands
The Farne Islands are an important wildlife reserve and home to over 20 different species of seabird and a colony of grey seals, which can all be viewed at close quarters.
The Inner Farne and Staple Islands can be visited and boat trips can be taken around all of the islands, including the Holy Island or Lindisfarne, where porpoises can sometimes be viewed.
Inner Farne and Staple are home to many thousands of nesting birds throughout the summer including 70,000 puffins, eider ducks and four species of tern. A special boat tour can also be taken to view the large colony of grey seals who live on the islands and each Autumn an estimated 1000 seal pups are born.
St Cuthbert died on Inner Farne in 687 and the church on the island is dedicated to him. The Farne islands were also home to one of Northumbria's most famous daughters, Grace Darling. It was from the lighthouse on Longstone that Grace and her father rescued survivors from the wreckage of the Forfashire.
Submitted by: Sarah McLeod, 01 September 2004
