There is a moment on a Farne Islands boat trip - usually somewhere between leaving Seahouses Harbour and rounding the first rocky outcrop - when you realise just how special this place is. The air fills with the sound of seabirds. Puffins dart past at eye level, their orange bills bright against the grey sea. Grey seals watch from the rocks with complete indifference. And somewhere in the background, the Northumberland coast stretches away towards Bamburgh Castle on its great volcanic crag.

The Farne Islands are one of Britain's great wildlife experiences, and from BayView at Waren Mill, Seahouses Harbour is just 5 miles down the road.

The Puffins

The Atlantic puffin is one of those birds that genuinely stops people in their tracks. Compact, comedic and utterly unmistakeable with their vivid orange beaks and feet, they are far more charismatic in person than any photograph prepares you for.

The Farne Islands support around 43,000 breeding pairs - one of the largest puffin colonies in the UK. The birds begin returning from the open ocean from late March, with numbers building through April as they settle into nesting burrows. May, June and early July are the peak weeks - the birds are present in huge numbers, nesting, feeding and gathering in rafts on the water just offshore. By August they have left for another year.

If a puffin trip is your priority, plan your stay between late April and mid July. You will not be disappointed.

The Seals

Grey seals are present on the Farne Islands year-round and boat trips run throughout the year to see them. An estimated 3,000-4,000 grey seals make their home here, hauling out on the rocky ledges and watching the boats go by with characteristic serenity.

The seal calendar has two highlights:

  • Spring and summer - adults are present alongside the puffin and seabird activity

  • October to December - seal pup season, when the beaches are dotted with white-coated newborns. An extraordinary sight if you're visiting in autumn or winter.

The Other Wildlife

Puffins and seals get the headlines but the Farne Islands are rich with wildlife year-round. Expect to see:

  • Arctic terns - famously aggressive defenders of their nests on Inner Farne during breeding season. Wear a hat.

  • Shags, guillemots and razorbills - nesting on cliff ledges in huge numbers

  • Sandwich, common and Arctic terns - diving and feeding in the waters around the islands

  • Eider ducks - known locally as Cuddy ducks, after St Cuthbert who famously protected them here in the 7th century - making this arguably the world's first nature reserve

The History - St Cuthbert and Inner Farne

The Farne Islands are not just a wildlife destination - they carry remarkable historical weight. St Cuthbert, Northumberland's patron saint, chose Inner Farne as his hermitage in 676 AD, living in isolation on the island until shortly before his death. A small chapel dedicated to him, dating in part to 1370, still stands on the island today alongside a medieval pele tower.

It was also here that Grace Darling and her father William rowed out in a storm in September 1838 to rescue survivors from the wrecked steamship SS Forfarshire - a story of extraordinary courage that made Grace Darling famous across the country. Boat trips pass the route of the rescue.

Choosing Your Trip

Boats depart from Seahouses Harbour and three main operators run trips:

Two main options:

Puffin and Seabird Cruise - a sailing trip around the islands without landing. Great for seeing puffins, seals and seabirds from the boat. Runs April 1 to July 31, mornings and afternoons.

Inner Farne Landing Trip - approximately 2.5-3 hours in total with one hour ashore on Inner Farne. See the chapel, walk among the puffins and terns at close range, and explore the island on foot. Runs April to September. Boat fare from £32 per adult, plus a separate National Trust landing fee (£13-17 adult, £6.50-8.50 child). National Trust members land free.

Practical Tips

  • Book ahead - trips sell out, particularly at weekends and during school holidays in May, June and July. Book online before your stay.

  • Check in early - arrive at Billy Shiel's booking office at Seahouses Harbour at least 30 minutes before your sailing time

  • Weather matters - Inner Farne landings can be cancelled at short notice if conditions are poor. The National Trust confirms by 9am each morning. If landing is cancelled your trip becomes a sail-around cruise

  • Wear layers - it is almost always colder on the water than on shore. Waterproofs and sturdy footwear are recommended

  • Bring a hat - Arctic terns nest on Inner Farne and will dive-bomb visitors who come near. This is no joke.

  • Dogs - welcome on the boats but not permitted on the islands

  • Parking - Seahouses fills up quickly in summer. Arrive early or use the main village car park

Your Base - BayView at Waren Mill

Seahouses is just 5 miles from BayView along the coast road - a short drive that passes Bamburgh Beach and offers views across to the islands themselves on a clear day. After a morning on the water there is just enough time to stop for fish and chips in Seahouses before heading back to the apartment for the afternoon.

BayView sleeps six across three bedrooms, with the Jetty Cottage overlooking Waren Burn and Budle Bay included for every guest. It is perfectly placed for the Farne Islands, Holy Island and all that this stretch of the Northumberland coast has to offer.

Check availability at BayView