The Farne Islands may be just a few miles off the Northumberland Coast but they feel a world away. In spring and summer, they are home to over 20 species of seabirds, from dive-bombing terns to show-stealing puffins with bright beaks stuffed full of sand eels. Out of season, when the birds leave behind seals hauled on the rocks, they become a place of calm, quiet and escape. The 28 islands also have a history dating back to 600AD: stories of hermits, pirates, Grace Darling's famously brave rescue of a shipwrecked boat and even a stout-drinking donkey. In these pages, uncover this long history and which wildlife you might spot during a visit today - and where to look out for it. Written by a former Farnes ranger, this guidebook brings these magical islands - and the challenges facing them - to life.