Seahouses RNLI spotlight safety as blockbuster film highlights Holy Island
Ahead of today’s (19 June) highly anticipated release of Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later, Seahouses’ RNLI crew issued a safety warning to anyone inspired to visit the location after watching the film.
Holy Island, a centrepiece of Northern England’s heritage and the place where Jamie and Spike’s gripping survival story unfolds in the film, is more than a stunning location. For the volunteer RNLI crew based at Seahouses, it represents a site of vigilance and duty. Every year, the team responds to emergencies across the treacherous tidal causeway and surrounding waters. With sweeping tides turning this island sanctuary into a perilous trap in mere minutes, the RNLI’s 24/7 service helps ensure locals and visitors aren’t left stranded.
‘The tides around Holy Island don’t take prisoners,’ said Hugh Fell from Seahouses RNLI. ‘It’s thrilling to see the beauty of this area celebrated on screen but for us, the drama of this landscape is what we face day in and day out. Our role is turning potential tragedy into survival stories. We urge anyone visiting Holy Island to make sure they do so as safely as possible, take no risks and venture onto the causeway only at the publicised safe crossing times.’
Adding a historical counterpoint to the modern day charity is the Grace Darling Museum in nearby Bamburgh. Grace Darling’s 1838 rescue of shipwreck survivors off the Farne Islands remains one of Britain’s most enduring tales of courage at sea. Just a stone’s throw from the cinematic landscapes of 28 Years Later, the museum honours the young lighthouse keeper’s moment of bravery, inspiring acts of selflessness across generations, including today’s RNLI crews.
The decision to shoot the film on Holy Island and in the Northumberland area has already drawn fresh attention to the region's dramatic terrain. Featuring Lindisfarne’s tidal causeway and the rugged coastlines so familiar to Seahouses RNLI, the film brings new meaning to the phrase ‘stormy waters’.
This unintended spotlight is a timely reminder of the RNLI’s relentless commitment to keeping people safe in these awe-inspiring but unpredictable conditions. It is also an invitation for visitors, drawn by the film’s haunting beauty, to dig deeper into the area’s real-life stories of ferocity and resilience.
‘While we’ll leave the zombie survival to the big screen, we’re here for the real-life rescues. Holy Island’s history, nature and the challenges of the causeway make it unforgettable. We hope the film inspires people to learn, explore and stay safe when they visit,’ added Hugh.
Visitors to Holy Island must check the safe crossing times before making the journey across the Causeway. Tide times can be found here : https://holyislandcrossingtimes.northumberland.gov.uk/
Notes to editors
The RNLI is a charity that saves lives at sea, powered by devoted volunteers and supported by the generosity of donors. Based in Seahouses, the local volunteer crew plays a vital role in safeguarding Holy Island, the surrounding seas and its historic causeway.
About the Grace Darling Museum
Located in Bamburgh, the Grace Darling Museum celebrates the life of 22-year-old Grace, whose daring rescue off the Farne Islands is legend in maritime history. The museum showcases artefacts, stories, and the spirit of heroism that defines Britain’s strong bond with the sea. Details can be found here
RNLI media contacts
Jess Curtis, RNLI and Regional Engagements North and East, Lifeboat Press Officer at Wells: Tel 07483488243 Email: [email protected] or John Atkinson 07990592222 contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.