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From Beadnell, it's three miles north to SEAHOUSES , a desultory fishing-port-cum-resort that's the embarkation point for boat trips to the windswept and treeless Farne Islands , a rocky archipelago lying a few miles offshore. Owned by the National Trust and maintained as a nature reserve, the Farnes are the summer home of many species of migrating seabirds, especially puffins, guillemots, terns, eider ducks and kittiwakes, and home to the only grey seal colony on the English coastline. To protect the wildlife, only two of the islands are open to visitors: Inner Farne (April-Sept daily; landing fee GBP4.20) and Staple Island (same months & prices). The crossing can be rough, but the islands have a wild beauty that makes it all worthwhile, and on Inner Farne you can also visit a tiny, restored fourteenth-century chapel built in honour of St Cuthbert, who spent much of his life here. Weather permitting, several boat owners operate daily excursions , usually starting at around 10am: Billy Shiels (Easter-Oct; tel 01665/720308, ), the best of the bunch, runs a varied programme, from two-and-a-half-hour cruises round either island (GBP8), to all-day trips landing at both (GBP15); all trips also visit the grey seal colonies off the islands. For more information, call the tourist office (daily: April-Oct 10am-5pm; tel 01665/720884), in the Seafield Road car park above the harbour, or the National Trust Shop , 16 Main St (tel 01665/721099), across from the Olde Ship , 9 Main St (tel 01665/720200; GBP60-70), easily the most atmospheric place in Seahouses to stay, eat and drink.
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