Like any other parents, we are always looking for ways to entertain our little one at weekends and during holidays.
Beaches, parks, museums, farms, cinemas, soft play areas - we are forever searching for anything that would make a fun day out. The Farne Islands, off the Northumberland coast, had been on our list for a while. We had read and heard a lot about this collection of tiny islands - a haven for seals and seabirds, and were keen to give it a go.
So we finally went on a boat trip there. We drove to Seahouses Harbour and hopped on a boat for a three-hour tour. This included a cruise around the Farne Islands and an hour on Inner Farne, where we were allowed to get off and take a look around.
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First things first though - the cost. The boat trips are not cheap. There are companies offering a range of tours, and they vary in cost depending on the length of the trip. You can go on specific cruises to see grey seals or seabirds, or both.
At the time we booked our tickets, 90-minute cruises were on offer for £20 per adult and £15 for children, with under fives going free. A two-hour cruise is likely to cost £25 for adults and £18 for children.
However, if you go on a three-hour tour where you can land on one of the islands - Inner Farne or Staple Island - this will rise to £30 for adults and £23 for children, again under fives are free.
And there could be an extra National Trust landing fee if you are getting off on an island. National Trust members can land free, while non-members will be asked to pay a charge at a kiosk at the harbour before departure.
If you are willing to fork out for the cost of tickets, what you will get to see is nothing short of spectacular. When you sail up to the cliff faces, it feels like you are in another world.
The boat ride in itself is exciting for the little ones but the sight of all the birds and seals brought sheer joy to our eight-year-old's face. We saw thousands of birds that we had never seen before, including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, terns, shags and cormorants, as well as seals lazing on the rocks.
You get enough time to have a good look at the wildlife. We had binoculars to see everything up close but you don't necessarily need them - you can spot the amazing creatures quite well without binoculars.
Our skipper gave great commentary along the way, giving us facts about the islands and wildlife as well as the route Grace Darling and her father took during their heroic rescue in 1838.
We had an hour on Inner Farne, where our daughter was given a set of information cards telling her she was a " Farne Islands detective". Children are encouraged to explore the sights, learn about the wildlife in a fun way, and ask questions of the rangers, who are extremely knowledgeable and have a great manner with kids.
On our way back, we were told we might spot some dolphins in the water, as some visitors had done so before us in previous days. Alas, we weren't that lucky. That was our only disappointment.
This was without a doubt an enjoyable experience for us all and our daughter came away with happy memories - and more knowledge about our coastal wildlife. Is this a fun day out for the kids? The answer is a resounding yes.
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