Seahouses and the Farne Islands

What can I do?

• Visit the Farne Islands:

1. The islands are famous for breeding sea-birds.
2. Look out for Grey (Atlantic) Seal colonies.
3. Some boat trips follow the route Grace Darling and her father took during their heroic rescue in 1838.
4. National Trust wardens are on hand on both islands to chat about the Farnes’ history and wildlife. There are also occasional guided walks around Inner Farne.
5. Inner Farne can be easily explored by following a circular boardwalk trail around the island.
6. Land on Longstone Island, the home of Grace Darling.

• Explore the local architecture:

1. The town of Seahouses has a pretty harbour. In the early 19th Century the harbour was mostly used for shipping lime all over the UK. Today it is still busy with fishing boats, diving boats and pleasure craft taking visitors to the Farne Islands. While you are there visit the RNLI lifeboat station (the lifeboat inside is called ‘Grace Darling’). Just south of the harbour look out for a curious stone hut – originally used for storing gunpowder.
2. Look for traditional Fishermen’s Squares which consist of fishermen’s cottages around three sides of a courtyard (a sheltered area used for repairing nets and baiting lines).

• If you’re visiting in June enjoy the annual Seahouses festival – a host of events and concerts celebrating the natural environment, wildlife and maritime heritage.
• Go rockpooling on Seahouses Beach (just north of the town) – the beach is often deserted, even on sunny days and offers some of the best rockpooling in the region. Notice the varied patterns in the sand – how were they made? Beware: It can be quite windy! (There is also great rockpooling and geology to the south of Seahouses at Beadnell).
• Like fish? Seahouses is well known for its excellent fish and chips. Or buy some of the region’s famous ‘Craster kippers’.

What do I need to know?

• There are buses to Seahouses from Alnwick and Newcastle

Where can I find out more?

• The National Trust’s Farne Island’s information – with activities, information and downloads –
• Seahouses Community Website
• Seahouses environment information website
• Visit the Northumberland Communities website for information about the history of Seahouses

  Inspire me

  Try our specially designed family activities. Coast Bingo, Fishing and Grace Darling are all great ways of getting to know Seahouse and the Farne Islands. You can download pdf versions of these activities using the links to the right, or visit the Inspire me page to find a these and other activities in both pdf and Microsoft Word versions (for you to customise if you wish).