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Trips with
a landing on NT Bird Sanctuaries
These trips are normally two-and-a-half hours in duration which includes an hour on either of the two islands. These islands are owned by the National Trust who charge a landing fee to land on these islands. Members showing a valid card will gain free admission. For fares and landing fees scroll down.
Inner Farne is the largest of the Farne Islands, being about 10 acres in size. During the breeding season, the Island is home to thousands of seabirds including Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, Sandwich Terns, Common Terns, Arctic Terns and Eider Ducks.
Inner Farne was also the home of Saint Aidan and latterly Saint Cuthbert who lived and died on the island in 687 AD. There is a church on Inner Farne, said to have been built around 1400 on what is thought to be the site where Saint Cuthbert lived the life of a hermit in a crude stone cell. The church underwent major renovations at the beginning of the twentieth century and again in recent years. Around 1540, a Prior named Castell, built a large square "Pele" tower which housed monks who lived on the island at the time, this has also been renovated and now houses National Trust wardens, five of whom live here from March to December each year. Other buildings on the Island include a National Trust information centre, public toilets and a lighthouse which was automated in 1910.
Disabled access is not too bad on this Island with fairly wide pathways.
Staple Island is probably the main bird sanctuary for people who want to see the birds of the Auk family namely Guillemots, Razorbills and of course the Puffins. Staple Island's cliff faces afford fantastic views of the birds in their natural habitat and is an excellent site for nature photographers.
However, the down side of this is that Staple Island is an exposed rock and as such is a much more difficult Island to land at than Inner Farne and very occasionaly landings can not be made and it is always advisable to ask the conditions before booking a trip. As always, all landings are made entirely at the discretion of the Skipper, who must at the time take into account the conditions of the weather and tides etc., and what the situation will be like for people returning to the boat.
Due to the very nature of the Island, it is not recommended for people who are disabled. Trips to Staple Island normally last about two and a half hours which includes an hour on the Island, although these times can vary due to tidal or weather conditions at the time.
Fares and landing fees for these trips:
Adults £ 13.00, Children £ 9.00
National Trust Landing Fees for non-members:
High Season (May to July)
Adult £ 6.20, Child (between the ages 5 & 17) £ 3.10
Low Season (April; August to October) Adult £
5.20, Child (between the ages 5 & 17) £ 2.60
Children under five: FREE
Members of the National Trust who produce a valid membership card upon landing on the Islands gain free admission.
Additional information
Opening Hours
Low Season
Inner Farne and Staple Island 10.30 to 18.00 daily
High Season
Staple Island 10.30 to 13.30
daily
Inner Farne 13.30 to 17.00
daily
The National Trust reserve the right to close the Islands during the breeding season when the weather conditions are such that any disturbance by visitors would affect the bird's breeding success.
Visitors are reminded that they can become members of the National Trust by joining at the National Trust and Tourist Information Centre at Seahouses or on Inner Farne. You can receive a full refund of your entrance fees when joining if you join on the same day as your visit and you return your entrance tickets.
Dogs are not allowed on National Trust Islands, although if they are well behaved you are welcome to bring them with you on the boat.
ALL LANDINGS ARE MADE ENTIRELY AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOATMEN
Unlike the National Trust
bird sanctuaries of Inner Farne and Staple Island, there is NO landing fee
for landings made at Longstone Island.
The Island does not have a bird colony, so it is not of very great interest to bird watchers, however it does have a wealth of rock pools and a sandy beach which is ideal for families with children and a great place for a picnic, or maybe just to stretch your legs before the journey back to harbour..
Trips to Longstone Island normally last about 2 hours including 20-30 minutes on the Island.
Adults £ 13.00, Children £ 9.00, There is NO landing fee on this trip.
Dogs ARE allowed on this island.
ALL LANDINGS ARE MADE ENTIRELY AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOATMEN
A Sailaround is a trip around the Islands of interest such as the Bird Sanctuaries and Seal Colony, but does not make a landing at any of the Islands.
These trips normally last between an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half and are ideal either as a trip out in itself, or as a taster before making a landing trip.
Adults £ 11.00, Children £ 8.00
Due to the design of our boats and steep steps in the harbour which are unavoidable due to tidal conditions and also on Staple Island, access for wheelchair users is severely limited.
Also, due to our insurance cover and Health & Safety rules, as well as personal injuries sustained by crew members in the past, we can no longer physically lift disabled passengers aboard the boats either in or out of wheelchairs.
However, we endeavour to offer all the assistance that we possibly can so that our trips are available to those who wish to enjoy them.
If you have any enquiries, please don't hesitate to email us.
E&OE, All information given here is given in good faith and is correct at the time of writing (updated 11th April 2011).