The islands are a real paradise for wildlife lovers, offering a chance to see puffins, seals and even dolphins
If you’re after a holiday filled with stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife and dramatic cliffs, you don’t need to jet off to far-flung destinations. The UK’s very own Farne Islands, located off the coast of Northumberland, offer all this and more.
These 28 islands are home to an array of wildlife, including puffins and seals, and even offer opportunities for scuba diving. The largest and most well-known of these is Inner Farne, once the dwelling place of the healing monk, St Cuthbert.
Today, no one permanently resides on the island, but it serves as a wildlife reserve managed by National Trust rangers. From April to July, visitors can witness large gatherings of puffins breeding and hunting for fish in the chilly North Sea.
Puffins aren’t the only birds you’ll see though; the Farnes are home to more than 20 different bird species, including eider ducks, guillemots, razorbills and four species of tern.
With up to 150,000 birds all crammed onto the islands at the height of the breeding season, the noise can be deafening. The island also hosts breeding colonies of seals, best viewed during autumn and winter, and some lucky visitors have even spotted dolphins.
For those equipped and daring enough to brave the icy waters, diving expeditions to explore the numerous shipwrecks surrounding the islands are available.
Despite time taking its toll on many of the ships, there’s still plenty to see. Sovereign Diving offers tours of these wrecks, with some locations boasting three or four separate sites, reports the Express.
This results in a plethora of boilers, props and engines resting on the seabed, forming an ideal reef for marine life. It’s also a win for diving beginners, as some of these dive sites are shallow enough for them to explore alongside more seasoned divers.
It isn’t possible to visit all of the Farne Islands, however. Depending on the state of the tide, as few as 15 of the 28 islands are visible, with just Inner Farne, Staple Island and Longstone being accessible to visitors.