Islands of South West England 1: Exploring Lundy Island
The UK, often referred to as "The Island Race" by Sir Winston Churchill, has long been a nation of seafarers living on islands. Although mainland English residents may not feel that way, our European counterparts undoubtedly see us as islanders. For those living in the West Country peninsula, the concept of "island" takes on a more intimate meaning. We envision islands as remote, romantic places where life exists on a smaller scale – if there is any community living at all.
The West Country islands, such as the Isles of Scilly, hold particular interest despite their small populations. The allure of these islands lies in their fleeting, ephemeral nature and the sense of adventure they evoke.
Lundy Island: The Most "Islandy" Island
Lundy Island, located 12 miles off the North Devon coast, is a prime example of the charm that Westcountry islands possess. The massive, isolated rock faces some of the fiercest tide races in Europe, standing sentinel over the Bristol Channel's second-highest tidefall.
Derek Green, island manager for the Landmark Trust, believes that islands have always drawn curiosity from mainlanders. "As an island nation, we have the sea in our blood," he says. "You are never more than 80 miles away from the sea in the UK."
Lundy Island attracts many thousands of visitors each year, who come to experience the island's unique flora and fauna, such as the Lundy cabbage, Atlantic grey seals, Soay sheep, Japanese sikka deer, and puffins. Additionally, the island is home to the UK's first Marine Nature Reserve and a no-take zone that has led to an increase in the shellfish population.
Embracing the Island Lifestyle
Living on an island like Lundy may not be for everyone, but for those who embrace the lifestyle, it offers unparalleled experiences. From watching dolphins and whales during breakfast to witnessing stunning sunsets from Old Light's lighthouse, life on Lundy Island can be a dream come true for those seeking tranquility and adventure.
If a day visit to Lundy Island is an adventure, then an overnight stay – complete with a pint in the island's Marisco Tavern – is absolute heaven.
Raising the flag of Lundy Island
Island Statistics
Lundy is 12 miles off the nearest part of the mainland and some 23 miles by the supply boat MS Oldenburg.
The massive chunk of granite is three and a half miles long by half a mile wide and at its highest rises 400 feet out of the sea where the Bristol Channel meets the Atlantic.
The isle runs north to south, which means that its rocky perpendicular west side bears the brunt of most storms, while the east shore is more sheltered.
Friends of Lundy
The island has its own official fan club, the Friends of Lundy, dedicated to preserving and protecting Lundy's natural beauty. To learn more about the Friends of Lundy and the island in general, visit www.lundyisland.co.uk.
My own view
For me, Lundy is the most “islandy” island there is. Stuck out there 12 miles into the Atlantic from the North Devon coast, it has no near neighbours but stands proud and alone amid some of the fiercest tide races in all of Europe. It doesn’t mess about by being part of an archipelago – the massive three and a half mile long, half mile wide, lump of rock acts as one giant sentinel over the place where the Bristol Channel disgorges its second highest tide-fall in the world to a waiting ocean.
The Landmark Trust’s island manager island manager Derek Green agrees with all these sentiments: “I think islands have always drawn curiosity from mainland folks – as an island nation we have the sea in our blood, you are never more than 80 miles away from the sea in the UK. “And Lundy is just the right distance,” Derek went on, warming to the theme. “You can make a day of it, but it is also far enough away to make it a real adventure as well. The boat trip itself is part of the experience – it’s 23 miles, so it is a couple of hours, and sometimes that’s no mean feat.”
“Sir John Smith, founder of the Landmark Trust, said: ‘Getting to Lundy should not be easy - it should be a bit of an adventure to sort out those who try - so that those that have been here are a little bit different from those who have not’.”
