Between castles, countryside and coast, there’s lots to tempt you to Northumberland with youngsters, however you shouldn’t miss taking one of many Farne Islands boat journeys whilst you’re exploring the county.
With the possibility to identify puffins and seals, in addition to a complete host of different fowl life, there are alternatives appropriate for various ages, whether or not your youngsters simply need a glimpse or for older youngsters who’re fascinated by wildlife.
You may even select boat journeys to Farne Islands with youngsters that go to Holy Island, if you wish to discover a few of Lindisfarne and with the excursions departing from Seahouses, it’s additionally a simple choice to mix with a go to to Bamburgh Citadel, solely round a 10-minute drive up the coast.
Farne Islands boat journeys with youngsters: must know
There are between 15 and 20 islands making up the Farne Islands (relying on the tide!) which lie a few miles off the Northumberland coast, between Seahouses and Bamburgh.
Relying while you go to, you possibly can see as many as 23 completely different species of seabirds, together with round 43,000 pairs of puffins. April till late July is the very best time of 12 months to go to, though there’s nonetheless lots to see in late summer time.
Whereas the islands aren’t the one place to see these uncommon birds, they’re one of many best choices for households – as a substitute of prolonged boat rides to secluded nesting websites, it’s a comparatively brief cruise from Seahouses for an opportunity to see widlife up shut.
The islands are additionally house to a colony of gray seals (often known as Atlantic seals), with greater than 2,000 pups born right here each autumn and winter. Whale and dolphin recognizing cruises typically run in late summer time as nicely.
Boat journeys go away from Seahouses Harbour, with shorter journeys cruising across the islands and a few of the longer boat excursions docking at two of the islands. Staple island and Inside Farne island are each open to the general public, and managed by the Nationwide Belief: there are entrance charges to pay along with the boat tour, though it’s free to members.
Restrictions imply the islands might not all the time be accessible: in addition to closing in the course of the pandemic, they might additionally shut to forestall the unfold of avian flu. In any other case rocky rugged Staple Island is open Might-July, whereas Inside Farne is open from April to October – the terrain right here is less complicated with youthful youngsters as there’s additionally a boardwalk, although be careful for the dive-bombing terns!
Lots of the boat excursions are dog-friendly too however you gained’t be allowed to take them on the islands themselves aside from Lindisfarne.
Think about additional time to gather your tickets from the kiosks at Seahouses Harbour, normally a minimum of half-hour prematurely, and ensure you get the proper boat. There are a number of boat excursions departing, together with a number of boats from particular person firms, so it may be straightforward to get confused.
In the event you’re driving to Seahouses, you could find a number of locations to park your automobile – the automobile park on the seafront is without doubt one of the finest choices, however it’s smart to get there early, particularly in peak season because it fills up quick. You should use the Pay By Telephone app.
Billy Shiels boat journeys
I’ve all the time beloved puffins – these vibrant beaks, that cheeky cuteness – so a seabirds cruise to the Farne Islands was excessive alone Northumberland wishlist.
With numerous choices from Billy Shiels boat journeys, together with 90-minute gray seal excursions, I booked onto the two-hour puffin-spotting cruise, figuring out there was a great probability of recognizing the occasional seal as we went.
The restrictions in place on the time meant we couldn’t land on one of many islands, however with the solar shining, it was an effective way to spend a few hours.
Regardless of being the top of the season earlier than the puffins head off in August, we additionally managed to see fairly just a few bobbing round on the water, in addition to one swooping previous with a glint of silver fish in its beak.
The very best time to identify them are Might, June and July: the breeding season usually begins in Might, with younger pufflings born from June (and isn’t puffling the cutest identify?). By late July, they begin heading out to sea, with the bulk flying off by August.
Alongside the best way, we noticed large gulls, cormorants, guillemots, shags, Arctic terns in colonies shrieking and flapping on the rocks, in addition to gray seals and Bamburgh Citadel on the headland.
The rocks, by the way, look white from a distance however as you get nearer you realise they’ve been coated in guano (aka fowl poo) from 1000’s of birds – the odor hits you from fairly a means away! Whether or not your youngsters discover that gruesomely pleasing or stomach-churning depends upon the kid!
In addition to the wildlife, and quirky info comparable to that Arctic terns fly 50-60,000 miles per 12 months, there’s additionally extra background concerning the space, together with an opportunity to see a few of the Farne Islands from the water, and to listen to the story of Grace Darling, the lighthouse keeper’s daughter well-known for serving to save survivors from the wreck of a paddlesteamer in 1838.
With a lot of households on board, they made an actual effort to make sure that passengers on each side of the boat might see, whereas all the time protecting a smart distance from the wildlife.
The boats are comparatively large, with a small lined part, however they’re in any other case open to the climate – when it’s sunny, there’ll be a breeze however ensure you have SPF/put on a hat, or carry layers/waterproofs for much less good climate, though if the circumstances are too unhealthy, all Farne Islands boat journeys get cancelled.
They’re additionally dog-friendly. Prebooking is suggested, and you want to acquire your tickets from Billy Shiel’s Reserving workplace at Seahouses Harbour no later than half-hour earlier than crusing.
Different excursions embrace a 4 1/2 hour journey to Lindisfarne, together with two hours ashore, in addition to journeys touchdown at Staple Island and Inside Farne.
Serenity Farne Island Excursions
One other nice firm to think about is Serenity Farne Islands Excursions, which additionally has quite a lot of excursions together with a 90-minute ‘gray seal and seabird’ tour that’s very family-friendly if you happen to’re reserving a Farne Island tour with youngsters!
Much like the tour I booked, you’ll see a variety of wildlife together with puffins, seabirds and seals, whereas a educated information provides you a full run-down of the islands’ historical past.
The shorter size cruise can also be ideally suited if you happen to’re visiting with youthful youngsters, though it’s appropriate for kids of all ages.
Prebooking is required, and also you’ll want to gather your boarding cross half-hour earlier than departure at Seahouses Harbour.
Boat tour of Inside Farne
In the event you’d desire a extra in-depth tour of the Farne Islands along with your youngsters, take into account reserving a tour of Inside Farne to rise up shut and private with 1000’s of seabirds.
A must-see for wildlife fans and budding photographers, it’s nice for older youngsters however seeing so many birds out within the wild is thrilling for youthful ones too!
The three-hour tour takes you on a crusing journey across the Farne Islands earlier than stopping on Inside Frane for an hour of exploring, excellent if you happen to fancy a extra adventurous time out.
Staple Island boat tour
The cruise to Staple Island is one other well-liked alternative; in addition to nice views, this Farne Island boat tour is legendary for its fowl sightings and it’s unmissable for followers of puffins.
There are tens of 1000’s of puffins nesting on Staple Island, so if you happen to go to on the proper time of 12 months, it’s the perfect location to identify this well-liked fowl.
One level to bear in mind although is that this tour will not be appropriate for younger youngsters due to the uneven floor (or infants, except you propose to make use of a service). And do carry appropriate footwear.
In the mean time, landings on this tour are being restricted as a result of dangers of avian flu, though the restrictions are underneath evaluate.
Golden Gate Farne Islands boat journeys
The third predominant firm if you happen to’re reserving a ship journey to the Farne Islands with youngsters is Golden Gate. They run a number of completely different tour choices that are family-friendly and welcome canine too.
The excursions do embrace a full-day tour lasting as much as six hours, however this isn’t the best option for households, particularly with youthful youngsters.
Gather boat journey tickets from the kiosk at Seahouses harbour 45-60 minutes earlier than departure, the place you additionally must validate Nationwide Belief membership or pay for touchdown charges for journeys stopping on the islands.
Longstone Island tour
They usually’re the one firm which is allowed to land on Longstone island, or to tour Longstone Lighthouse, as a part of their two-hour Longstone Island tour.
Throughout this journey, you’ll see what was as soon as the house of Grace Darling, so in case your youngsters are fascinated by her heroic story, it’s the proper choice. This tour will even take you to the gray seal colony and to see seabirds.
Inside Farne boat tour with youngsters
Golden Gate additionally runs an extended tour across the fowl sanctuary at Inside Farne, with a cease on the gray seal colony in your strategy to the island touchdown level.
Alongside the best way you’ll sail by means of the Farne Islands recognizing nesting seabirds, together with something from puffins, fulmars and kittiwakes. The journey takes round 2.5-3 hours.
Farne Islands sail round boat journey
For a shorter introduction to the Farne Islands with youngsters, the 90-minute sail round tour visits the seal colony and seabird nesting posts, in addition to following the route of Grace Darling’s well-known rescue, as she set out along with her father to the shipwrecked survivors.
Ideas for taking Farne Island boat journeys with youngsters
In the event you’re trying to take a ship journey with youngsters to the Farne Islands, it’s value contemplating which goes to fit your household finest.
Choose the precise tour
With quite a lot of excursions on provide, you gained’t be in need of family-friendly choices, so it’s nicely value selecting these firms if you happen to’ve bought youthful youngsters.
Secondly, take into account the size of the tour and whether or not or not your youngsters are more likely to change into slightly stressed – if you happen to assume they may get bored after an hour or two, go for one of many shorter choices on provide.
For excursions which land on one of many islands, do be certain that your youngsters know what to anticipate: scared youngsters – and scared birds – will not be a recipe for a great time out.
Add some additional enjoyable
A good way to make the Farne Island boat journey extra thrilling to your youngsters is to hold some binoculars – this pair are highly effective however light-weight.
Whereas they’re not important, it’s a great way to maintain them extra engaged as they will take a look at the wildlife in additional element.
You might additionally pack a fowl recognizing guidelines: I Spy birds is an efficient begin and has loads of choices away from the water, or create your personal with a few of the wildlife you’re more likely to see.
And in case your youngsters are more likely to lose curiosity after a short time on board, preserve one thing else to entertain them readily available so you possibly can take in all of the seabird views.
Plan forward
Do be ready to take some necessities with you. For starters, the climate can change immediately in north east England, so it’s essential to pack layers, waterproofs and suncream relying on what time of 12 months you’re planning your Farne Islands boat journeys.
In the event you’re visiting the Farne Islands in June, you also needs to carry hats. It’s because some birds on the islands can get slightly bothered if you happen to get too near their nests, prompting them to warn you off with pecks.
Snacks and drinks are additionally a good suggestion, and there are bathroom amenities at Seahouses harbour. Inside Farne additionally has bathrooms, however not Staple Island, and never all boats have bathrooms on board.
Have a Plan B
It’s essential to keep in mind that climate circumstances might name the excursions off at any time – as anybody who’s holidayed within the UK is aware of, summer time doesn’t assure solar!
Whereas the excursions go forward whether or not attainable, if circumstances are too unhealthy, you wouldn’t need to be out at sea with youngsters anyway. Nevertheless it’s value having an alternate exercise lined up in case your boat journey to the Farne Islands does get referred to as off.
Take a look at my recommendations on the very best issues to do in Northumberland with youngsters for extra inspiration
Puffin picture courtesy of Depositphotos, all different copyright MummyTravels
