Farne Islands: Longstone Lighthouse Tour & Grace Darling Stories

Summary

Longstone Island landing with seal colony and lighthouse stories

You’ll step off the boat onto Longstone Island with George guiding you through lighthouse tales and Grace Darling’s rescue route. Watch grey seals up close, hear seabirds echoing off cliffs, and choose whether to explore inside the famous lighthouse or wander outside with salt wind in your hair.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Longstone Island and Lighthouse

• Travel to Longstone Island
• Optional tour inside Grace Darling's Lighthouse
• Walk around island if not entering lighthouse
• Observe Grey Seal Colony
• Tour island with expert commentary
• Traverse Grace Darling's rescue route
• See seabirds nesting on cliffs
• Learn local history and stories

Top questions

How do you get to Longstone Island from Seahouses?

You reach Longstone Island by boat as part of this tour departing from Seahouses harbour.

Can you go inside Grace Darling's Lighthouse?

Yes, there’s an optional extra to tour inside Grace Darling’s Lighthouse for a small cash fee that goes to charity.

Is this Farne Islands tour dog friendly?

Dogs are allowed on Longstone Island if kept on a lead and away from wildlife.

Who leads the tour of Longstone Lighthouse?

The skipper and guide is George, who is also the current Trinity House lighthouse attendant.

Will we see seals during this trip?

Yes, Longstone Island is home to a grey seal colony which you can observe during your visit.

Is pickup included in this Farne Islands tour?

No hotel pickup is included; tours depart from Seahouses harbour.

Is this trip suitable for children?

The main boat trip is family friendly but children must be over 120cm tall to enter the lighthouse itself.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

The boat trip is wheelchair accessible but access inside the lighthouse requires sound mobility.

What’s included

Your time includes expert commentary throughout from George — both skipper and lighthouse attendant — plus exclusive landing on Longstone Island with time among seabirds and seals. You can choose to pay a small charity fee in cash if you want to go inside Grace Darling’s Lighthouse; otherwise just enjoy wandering outside before heading back by boat to Seahouses.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re sure that’s the right rock?” I asked George, squinting at the jagged edge of Longstone Island as our boat nudged closer. He just grinned — he’s been the Trinity House lighthouse attendant for years, so I guess he’d know. The sea was sharp and salty in my nose, and I could already spot the grey seals lounging like old fishermen on the kelp-covered stones. One barked at us (or maybe at me, for staring). We’d left Seahouses only about 20 minutes ago, but it felt like a different world out here.

I wasn’t expecting to actually set foot on Longstone — apparently this tour is the only way you can land here. George told us about Grace Darling in that offhand way locals do when they’ve grown up with a legend in their backyard. He pointed out the rescue route she rowed through storms, and honestly, looking at those waves even on a calm day, I got goosebumps. There’s an option to go inside Grace Darling’s Lighthouse for a few pounds (bring cash — it goes to charity), or you can just wander around outside if you want. I tried pronouncing one of the bird names he mentioned (badly), which made him laugh. Didn’t expect to be quizzed on puffins.

The wind whipped around us while we watched seabirds nesting along the cliffs — kittiwakes, terns, all shouting over each other like a noisy family dinner. The rocks felt rough under my boots; there’s no path really, just lichen and sea spray. If you bring your dog (on a lead), they’re allowed too — though ours was more interested in sniffing seal smells than anything else. It’s not polished or fancy here; it feels raw and honest. I still think about that view from the lighthouse steps, wild sky overhead and nothing but open sea past the seals.