Coquet Lighthouse

Coquet Lighthouse sits on Coquet Island, roughly a mile off the Northumberland coast beside the small town of Amble, England. Its square sandstone tower rises above a low, flat island that now serves as a seabird reserve. You cannot go inside, yet boat trips from Amble bring you close enough for a good look.

What is the story behind the lighthouse?

Trinity House completed it in 1841 to a design by its consulting engineer James Walker, at a cost of a little over £3,200. The tower was built over the remains of a medieval Benedictine monastery. The lighthouse and its attached buildings are Grade II* listed.

The first keeper was William Darling, elder brother of Grace Darling, the lifeboat heroine of the nearby Farne Islands. Today Trinity House runs the light, which is monitored remotely from Harwich.

Can you land on the island?

No. The Duke of Northumberland owns the island and the RSPB manages it as a nature reserve. Public landings are banned to protect nesting birds, so the lighthouse is seen from the water only.

What will you see on a cruise?

• The tower and the former keepers' cottages against open sea.
• Puffins, which breed here in large numbers and normally return in March and April.
• Roseate terns, among Britain's rarest seabirds. Coquet holds the biggest colony in the country.
• Other terns, eider ducks and grey seals, which stay all year.

More than 40,000 seabirds breed on the island in total.

How do you get there?

Boats leave from Amble harbour. Puffin Cruises, a family firm, has run trips since 1969. A cruise takes about an hour and depends on tides and weather, so check times before you travel, because sailings do not run in every condition. Amble has cafes and shops by the harbour, and sits on the Northumberland coast route.

When is the best time to visit?

Aim for April to July, when birds occupy their nests. Outside the breeding season the island is almost empty, though the lighthouse remains visible from shore on clear days.

Frequently asked questions

Can I tour the inside of the lighthouse? No. The island is a reserve and public landing is prohibited.

Where do I board a boat to see it up close? At Amble harbour. Boats approach the island but do not dock.

When do puffins appear? Usually from spring into early summer, after arriving in March and April.

Who looks after the lighthouse and the island? Trinity House operates the light, and the RSPB manages the island as a reserve. The Duke of Northumberland owns the land.