Farne Islands National Nature Reserve

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Overview

The remote and rocky Farne Islands NNR contains one of the most exciting and significant seabird colonies in the country, with up to 87,000 pairs of seabirds, including about 37,000 pairs of puffin. The reserve consists of a small archipelago of islands (between 15 and 28, depending on the tide) lying about three miles off the north coast of Northumberland. It is also home to a large grey seal colony, with more than 1,400 pups born every autumn. The islands are probably most famous for their puffins and Arctic terns, of which around 2,200 pairs breed here, but many more species live alongside them. Though some species live on the islands all year round, most are migratory like the Arctic terns, flying in for the summer months to breed and raise their young. Some birds return year on year, flying huge distances from the Antarctic and Africa. Other breeding seabirds on the Farnes include shag (around 800 pairs); kittiwake (4,000 pairs); eider duck (600 pairs); sandwich tern (900 pairs), and guillemot (about 51,000 individuals).

Location

Seahouses

About the area

If it’s history you’re after, there’s heaps of it in Northumberland. On Hadrian’s Wall you can imagine scarlet-cloaked Roman legionaries keeping watch for painted Pictish warriors while cursing the English weather and dreaming of home.

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Farne Islands National Nature Reserve

Seahouses

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Farne Islands National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

The remote and rocky Farne Islands NNR contains one of the most exciting and significant seabird colonies in the country, with up to 87,000 pairs of seabirds, including about 37,000 pairs of puffin. The reserve consists of a small archipelago of islands (between 15 and 28, depending on the tide) lying about three miles off the north coast of Northumberland. It is also home to a large grey seal colony, with more than 1,400 pups born every autumn. The islands are probably most famous for their puffins and Arctic terns, of which around 2,200 pairs breed here, but many more species live alongside them. Though some species live on the islands all year round, most are migratory like the Arctic terns, flying in for the summer months to breed and raise their young. Some birds return year on year, flying huge distances from the Antarctic and Africa. Other breeding seabirds on the Farnes include shag (around 800 pairs); kittiwake (4,000 pairs); eider duck (600 pairs); sandwich tern (900 pairs), and guillemot (about 51,000 individuals).

Location

Seahouses

About the area

Area image

If it’s history you’re after, there’s heaps of it in Northumberland. On Hadrian’s Wall you can imagine scarlet-cloaked Roman legionaries keeping watch for painted Pictish warriors while cursing the English weather and dreaming of home.

Explore Northumberland

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)

Seahouses Northumberland Things To Do in Northumberland