Northumberland & the Farne Islands

Tour Code: GBR13

A 6-day exploration of Northumberland's spectacular coast, offshore islands and Cheviot Hills.

6 days from
£1,595 (land only)
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Large numbers of Puffins, Arctic Tern colonies, Roseate Terns, and a myriad of nesting seabirds are just a few of the attractions awaiting participants on this 6-day birdwatching holiday. From a comfortable hotel base in Seahouses, we explore a variety of localities along the picturesque Northumberland coast and include in the itinerary a boat trip around Coquet Island, as well as a full day on the legendary Farne Islands (subject to weather conditions and landing permissions), ranked among the greatest seabird islands in Europe. Our tour will also visit the Cheviot Hills to observe a variety of upland birds and glimpse examples of Northumberland's past in the form of ancient castles and the impressive monastery on Lindisfarne (Holy Island).

  • Large Puffin colonies on Coquet Island & the Farne Islands
  • Nesting Arctic, Roseate & Little Terns
  • Huge seabird colonies of Shags, Fulmars, Guillemots, Razorbills & Kittiwakes
  • Numerous Grey Seals
  • Comfortable hotel accommodation in the coastal village of Seahouses
  • Enjoy the ancient ruins on Lindisfarne (Holy Island)
  • Find upland birds such as Dipper & Red Grouse in the Cheviot Hills
  • Learn from Naturetrek’s local ornithologist leader

Grading

Birdwatching day walks.

Northumberland is a wild and splendid county, boasting a superb coastline — regarded by many as the finest in the country — and a fine range of upland habitats in the Cheviot Hills. Both aspects will be explored in full during this new 6-day tour which also includes a full day spent exploring the world-renowned Farne Islands. Our tour begins in Newcastle and from here we transfer north to a comfortable hotel which will be our base for five nights. During the following days, islands will be something of a theme as we visit Lindisfarne (or Holy Island), sail around Coquet Island, where over 70 pairs of Roseate Terns and thousands of Puffins nest, then finally visit the Farne Islands (subject to weather conditions and landing permission). The twin islands of Staple and Inner Farne provide one of the greatest seabird spectacles in Britain and draw visitors from all over the world. Colonies of Arctic and Sandwich Terns present scenes of constant activity and noise, Guillemots, Shags and Kittiwakes line cliff ledges, whilst the everpopular Puffins play their role as court jesters. A day on the Farne Islands is a truly magical experience and as well as the principal performers there is also an impressive supporting cast including rafts of handsome Eiders and large numbers of Atlantic Grey Seals. Elsewhere along the Northumberland coast we visit a colony of Little Terns and check for late migrant passerines and waders at various locations. Although the main volume of migration will have passed, early June often produces a few surprise rarities and we will be looking out for whatever may turn up. We complete our exciting break in Northumberland with an exploration of the dramatic fells and valleys of the Cheviot Hills, home to a variety of upland birds including Red Grouse, Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Raven, having hopefully demonstrated during the preceding days the great merits of picturesque Northumberland during the late spring. Indeed, is there a finer place in England to witness large numbers of seabirds at the peak of their nesting season?

 

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Newcastle to Belford
Day 2
Holy Island
Day 3
Coquet Island; Long Nanny
Day 4
Farne Islands
Day 5
Cheviot Hills
Day 6
Belford to Newcastle
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Accommodation: Comfortable tourist hotel, each room with private facilities.
  • Food:

    Breakfasts and evening meals included in holiday price, allow £5 - £10 per day for lunches.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 17th Jun – Sun 22nd Jun FULL £1,595
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£295

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 9th Jun – Sun 14th Jun SPACES £1,595
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£295 
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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Flight-free Wildlife Holidays


At Naturetrek we make full use of the Eurostar rail service through the channel tunnel, and of the ferry routes between England’s south coast and France and Spain, to offer a range of ‘flightless’ wildlife holidays in Belgium, Holland, France and Spain. In addition, we also offer the widest selection of wildlife holidays within the UK, none of which require a flight to participate in. Therefore, if you prefer not to fly, for whatever reason, we have a range of varied and exciting wildlife holidays for you to choose from, and we are committed to regularly adding more.


It is also the case that many of our other holidays within Europe are also accessible by rail. Generally, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and we’d be pleased to offer advice to anybody who wishes to join any of our tours within Europe by a means other than flying!




Our specialist recommends...






"Our Picos & Plains tour offers an environmentally-friendly route down to Spain for some excellent birding and cetacean-watching. More broadly, we’re very keen for Naturetrek to offer the most dynamic, market-leading carbon-reduced holidays available, and we hope you enjoy browsing our list of no-flight wildlife holidays!” 

Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager




All No Flight Tours

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!