Visitor Centres
Longstone | Northumberland
The Longstone Lighthouse, or Outer Farne as it was first called, is situated on Longstone Rock, one of the Outer Staple Islands.Sail out to this isolated Lighthouse in the beautiful Farne Islands, famous for the daring rescue of survivors of the Forfarshire shipwreck by the Lighthouse Keeper and his daughter, William and Grace Darling, in 1838.
Visitors can view Grace's tiny bedroom from where she spotted nine survivors desperately clinging to the rocks. Despite a raging storm, the Darlings launched the lighthouse boat and rescued the survivors, caring for them in the lighthouse for two days until the storm subsided.
Location
Farne Islands, Northumberland.Trips to Longstone Lighthouse can be booked with Golden Gate Boat Trips (see below for contact details), which depart from Seahouses.
Map: click here for streetmap
Parking
Car parking available at Seahouses.Opening Times for 2009
| Date | Day | Time |
| April 1 - October 31 | Daily | Sailings at 10.30, 12.30, 14.30 & 16.30 (16.30 sailings must be booked in advance) |
Please note: Sailings depend upon weather and tide conditions and all landings are made at the boatman's discretion.
Schools/groups by prior arrangement. Please see below.
The Longstone Tour
The Longstone tour includes a 30-min tour (approx) of the lighthouse, a cruise around the Farne Islands to view the seabirds and the famous Grey Seal colony, with full commentary en-route. Landing/opening of the lighthouse is at the boatman's discretion in line with Health and Safety Regulations.Admission Prices for 2009
| Adults | £2 |
| Children (up to the age of 16) / Senior Citizens | £1 |
| Family Ticket (2 adults & up to 4 children) |
£4 |
Contact Details
Telephone: 01665 721 210 or 01655 721 819Website:
Groups
Please phone in advance for group bookings.Prompt arrival at the Visitor Centre is essential. If you arrive late we regret we can not guarantee entry and your visit may be cancelled.
2008 season information
Information relating to the 2008 season can be downloaded here.Health & Safety
We want everybody to have an enjoyable experience at our visitor centres and believe safety is a key contributor to people leaving with smiles on their faces. We have a few rules we enforce and would be grateful if you could take the time now to familiarise yourself with them.Health & Safety Guidelines
Specifications
| Established | 1826 |
| Height of Tower | 26 metres |
| Height of Light above Mean High Water | 23 metres |
| Automation | 1990 |
| Electrified | 1952 |
| Optic | Small 3rd order Catadioptric twin spectacle lens |
| Lamp | 1KW MBI |
| Character | One white / red flash every 10 seconds |
| Intensity | 640,000 candela |
| Range of Light | 26 nautical miles |
| Fog Signal Character | 2 blasts every 60 seconds |
Tours of Longstone Lighthouse are organised by Golden Gate Boats under licence from the Corporation of Trinity House.