Northumberland

Many of us have heard of Holy Island (aka Lindisfarne) but less well known are the Farne Islands, 7.5 miles away as the boat sails and scattered a couple of miles off shore near Seahouses. They are one of the best places in the UK to see wildlife – Sir David Attenborough's favourite, in fact! Hop on a boat from Seahouses harbour to pootle around them (up to 28 depending on the height of the tide) whilst seals bob in the sea and bask on rocks. If you are lucky you may spot wild dolphins, too.

There are a couple of stops where you can get off to get up close to thousands of breeding sea birds in the late spring and summer, including cute Puffins, Arctic Terns and Eider Ducks. On Inner Farne there's a chapel, built in the 14th century and dedicated to St Cuthbert, who lived as a hermit and died here in the 7th century.

Golden Gate Farne Island Tours also takes visitors to Longstone Island. It was once home to Grace Darling, whose father ran the lighthouse, which visitors can tour. She became a local heroine in 1838 at the age of 22 when she rescued passengers from a sinking paddle steamer.