Situated between 2 and 5 miles off Northern Northumberland’s coast, sit these twenty-eight Islands. They are divided into the Outer Group and the Inner Group. Depending on the tide, the number of visible Islands is sometimes halved. Being largely protected by the National Trust for the diverse and rare bird and wildlife, many of the Islands are off-limits to visitors, though the Inner Islands are accessible as are one or two of the others.
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While these naturally beautiful and historically significant Farnes, as they are often referred to, seem to have two areas of interest, they are linked in their origins. Northumberland’s patron saint, St Cuthbert, is a central figure in the religious history of the UK and played a large part in the founding days of Christianity.
He is popularly associated with nearby Lindisfarne Island, where his fellow monk, St Aidan, established a monastery in 635AD, but it is less that St Cuthbert took to bouts of ascetic contemplation on Inner Farne, the group’s largest island, where he eventually died in 687AD.
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A decade before he died, he had the foresight to introduce laws of protection for the various seabirds nesting on the Farnes. His laws were unique of their kind and laid the foundation for the future conservation laws, now widely implemented.
The Islands are a temporary home and breeding ground for many birds. 290 different species have been counted since records began, including an 18th century sighting of the now extinct Great Auk.
Many rare birds, making sometimes curious and unexpected appearances, have been well documented by conservationists and the multitude of birdwatchers who frequent the region.
The large puffin population draws many visitors, as does the Arctic Tern colony which is one of the most valued in Europe. The 5000 grey seal pollution is also a sight to behold. One which is likely to make a impression on the many divers who favour the Farnes above anywhere in England.
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Due to the treacherous nature of these Islands, many a ship, both old and more recent, has been wrecked in the waters. Popularly remembered is the legend of Grace Darling, a lighthouse-keeper’s daughter who, with her father, used a rowing boat to rescue nine people in rough seas when a steam ship, the Forfarshire, was dashed on Harker Rock near Longstone Lighthouse in 1838.
She won the hearts of the nation and ten years later, following her death from tuberculosis, a monument was erected to her on Great Farne Island in St Cuthbert’s Chapel. The room from where she spotted the ship can still be viewed.
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