The Farne Islands – Seahouses, England - Atlas Obscura

The Farne Islands

Seahouses, England

A small group of islands with a dramatic history.  

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The Farne Islands are a group of islands off the coast of Northumberland, England, just a few miles SE of Lindisfarne. They were made famous by a dramatic rescue in the 19th Century.

When tides are at their lowest there are 20 islands but at the highest tides this reduces to 15. They are scattered about 1½–4¾ miles from the mainland. They are  divided into two groups, the Inner Group and the Outer Group . The Outer Group includes  Longstone the site of the famous lighthouse.

On 7 Sept 1838 22 year old Grace Darling  and her father (the Longstone lighthouse keeper, William Darling)  rescued nine people from the wreck of a stricken vessel,  the ‘Forfarshire’, which had run aground on Harcar Rock. The famous rescue took place under conditions of  a strong gale (so strong that  that the lifeboat from Seahouses could not put to sea).  The story of the rescue attracted extraordinary attention throughout the country. Grace and her father were awarded the Silver Medal for bravery by the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck. Subscriptions and donations of over £700 were raised for Grace (although nothing was collected for her equally brave father) and it is reported that hundreds of gifts, letters, and even marriage proposals were delivered to her. She remains a national hero.

Northumberland is famous for its association with early Christianity in England and the islands have a monastic history that befits this part of the country. In 651, they became home to Saint Aiden followed later by Saint Cuthbert. Cuthbert isolated himself on the islands until he was made Bishop of Lindisfarne, but after two years he returned to the solitude of the Inner Farne and died there in 687,

After a period when the islands were regularly used by religious hermits a small group of Benedictine monks was established on the islands in the mid 13th century. The tiny community was dissolved in 1536 as part of King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries.  The islands became the property of the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral but after several changes of ownership they are currently owned by the National Trust.

Remains still exist of the seventh-century cell used by Saint Aiden and Saint Cuthbert, as do the remains of a fourteenth-century chapel associated with the Benedictines

In the warmer parts of the year  the Farnes, an important wildlife habitat, are much-visited by boat trips from the local port of Seahouses (strictly  speaking the harbour itself  is called North Sunderland). Boats from Seahouses are licensed to land passengers on Inner Farne, Staple Island and the Longstone but landing on other islands is prohibited to protect the wildlife. At the right time of year, many puffins can be seen. The islands also hold a notable colony of about 6,000 grey seals with several hundred pups born every year in September–November.

As well as being popular with bird watchers, the Farne Islands are a popular scuba diving location. The islands appeal to divers because of the numerous wreck (well over 200), the underwater wildlife and , in particular, the seals which are curious and will often approach  divers in the water making very close contact and seeming to take great pleasure from tugging on diver’s fins.

Know Before You Go

Take one of the many trip boats which operate from Seahouses.

On the Inner Farne, the Arctic Terns nest close to the path and will try to drive away visitors who approach too closely. Wear a hat!

If you are a diver both of the main dive boat operating companies also can provide air fills. A personal view, but the prices charged by dive boats here are amongst the best value in the country. Gear rental is available locally.

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