England is home to a splendid array of coastal islands, each with a unique tale. From the far reaches of the South West to the northern mysterious Holy island to our smallest county of the Isle of Wight, these islands are home to a few residents, and many more holidaymakers.
Caribbean? No, the Isles of Scilly
Tucked away 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly stand as a peaceful retreat in the Atlantic. Known for their subtropical climate, these islands boast a calm environment that feels worlds away from the mainland.
Crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches make it a paradise for those seeking tranquillity. But don’t be fooled by the Caribbean-like views. Here you’ll find some of the most treacherous waters, home to more shipwrecks than anywhere. In fact, the original lighthouse had to be rebuilt, as it blew away in wind, even before it was finished! And a strong history of smuggling and pirates. Shiver me timbers!
A frequent stop-off point for migrating birds, it’s not as idyllic as you may think. One sailor who got stranded for a few days (living off seaweed) found so much rubbish and plastic, that he started up a local scheme that has so removed tonnes of plastic rubbish from the surrounding seas. Litter travels by the tides, so can end up anywhere, including here.
Three Islands (just off the Kent coast)
Isle of Sheppey lies off the North Kent coast, and includes seaside towns, a harbour and two nature reserves (home to oystercatchers, redshanks, lapwings and marsh harriers. It’s separated from Kent by the Swale (a narrow part of sea). Originally called ‘Sheep Island’ in Saxon times, this is the birthplace of aviation (good or bad, you decide).
Ian Crofton’s book on English islands has an extensive history of this island, which suffered heavy bombing during World War 2, resulting in unexploded bombs being left on the shoreline.
The other two other (uninhabited) islands, which are mostly mudflats, submerged at high tide. Both are now havens for seabirds. You can still see the remains of a shepherd’s house on Burntwick Island (long left with his sheep, due to flooding) and still littered with Victorian glass and pottery.
Deadman’s Island is named, due to the sad remains of 200 men and boys being found, likely dying on ‘floating prisons’ around 200 years ago.
A Big Island in the Solent
The Isle of Wight is England’s smallest county (apparently depending on whether the tide is in or out, then the title swaps to Rutland!) Home to the world’s most popular yachting festival, you can travel here by hovercraft (which due to no rudders, tends to not do so much damage to marine life under the water).
This was a popular holiday destination for Queen Victoria, and today it’s a haven for holidaymakers, who love the sandy beaches and extensive walks. It also has one of our natural wonders: The Needles. This is a collection of three stone plinths that jut out from the sea. There used to be four, but one collapse in a storm.
Isle of Wight is also one of the best places to discover fossil from dinosaurs. As part of the Jurassic Coast, this is England’s only natural World Heritage Site (all the others are built, like Stonehenge and various castles and palaces).
An Island Paradise (in Essex!)
Mersea Island is a surprising find. This looks like a little Floridian seaside paradise, yet is just 9 miles from Colchester! The island is 7 square miles and has a population of around 7000 people who live on England’s most easterly island with humans! There is a wheelchair-friendly foot ferry, that can cut the journey from Brightingsea by half.
The island gets cut off twice a day at high tide, so always look at the correct times to cross the causeway. Don’t cross if the road is covered, or emergency services have to rescue you. The council says to keep away, unless you have a ‘James Bond car’ or are Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Brightlingsea is a pretty town on the Essex coast that is home to many beach huts. It has however lost its train station 60 years ago, which has never returned. Between Colchester and Clacton-on-sea, it’s surrounded by sea with just one road, leading many to say that it’s kind of like an island too. Even though it isn’t. Though apparently it was a few hundred years ago.
A Wildlife Haven in Poole Harbour
Brownsea Island lies just off the coast of Poole, near Bournemouth. Owned by the National Trust, this is home to lots of wildlife including red squirrels (due to native trees, grey squirrels are not the main reason for them being endangered, it’s lack of knowledge on providing correct habitats and food).
This island has views over the Purbeck Hills. The lagoon, woods and heathland are home to many birds including dunlin, kingfishers, oystercatchers and terns. Both summer and migrating birds love it here. It also boasts an open-air theatre.
An Ancient Isle off Cornwall’s Coast
St Michael’s Mount is a small island off the coast of Cornwall which has dodgy cobbled paths, so only really suitable for fit visitors. Home to around 30 people, many birds flock from Marazion Marsh Nature Reserve for shelter and food.
At low tide, you can use the ancient causeway to walk to the island. However at high tide there is no walkways, so get your timing right. The cobbled streets means it’s not advised for prams, pushchairs or wheelchairs (there is one all-terrain mobility scooter for hire). Dogs are not allowed, simply as there is no shelter for hot weather.
Previously a busy island due to visiting pilgrims, it was said you could walk from one island to the other, simply by stepping over boats, there were so many. Of course as a seafaring island, there are many stories and legends. From sailors lured to their deaths by mermaids, to the appearance of Archangel Michael.
Its boasts good sustainabilty credentials, unfortunately it lights up at night to raise money for animal-testing medical charities, when the birds, and local wildlife probably don’t appreciate the light pollution.
A Carfree Island off Devon’s Coast
So who’s this handsome fella? He’s a hoopoo bird, that is not native but likes to migrate to England. And sometimes stops off at this unique island, which lies off the north Devon coast.
Lundy Island is known for its population of 200 Atlantic grey seals (far more than the people population, which numbers just 28!) The island is just 4 miles long, with no roads or cars. People who take the boat across, can often see dolphins playing in local waters and puffins (Iceland sea parrots). It also has the largest seabird colony in southwest England.
Along with 330 flowering plants including rare cottongrass and white bluebells, The Lundy cabbage is endemic, thriving in bare soil and also home to the flea beetle, so-called as he can hump high due to his huge back legs! Rhododendrons are an invasive species here, so are removed to protect both the cabbage and beetle.
The only native mammals here are pygmy shrews, though there are plenty of other creatures from Soay sheep (from St Kilda in Scotland who have a rutting season like deer, crashing into each other with their curly horns to win the girl). These sheep are very hardy, and less prone to footrot and flystrike than most other sheep breeds).
Like the New Forest, Lundy Island has its own semi-feral herd of ponies, which aside from vet care and hoof-trimming, are largely left to live alone in the wild. Don’t approach or feed them, due to their feral nature.
Take the Sea Tractor to this Island!
Burgh Island lies off the south Devon coast, and features a beautiful Art Deco hotel that’s been restored to its 1930s glory, often featured in Agatha Christie TV series. It has a unique sea tractor that crosses over at high tide, though at low tide you can walk across the wide sandy beach to the island.
Located opposite Bigbury Beach (a beautifully sandy paradise), visitors can see the remains of the chapel called Huer’s Hut, where fishermen would keep a watch for shoals of pilchards. When they saw them, they would ‘cry’ to fishermen in Bigbury.
Even today the Pilchard Inn (a hideout for 14th century smugglers and pirates) is said to be haunted. If you liked the band Hue & Cry, that’s where their name came from!
A Sandy Island in the Solent
Hayling Island lies near the maritime city of Portsmouth and the harbour city of Chichester. A popular spot for a bucket-and-spade holiday, it has pretty beach huts and a real outdoor lifestyle (windsurfing was invented here). However, local marine creatures have been at risk from jetskis of ideally avoid them, or at least follow rules, to keep wildlife safe. Most say to avoid jetskis entirely.
Just 20 miles from the sandy beaches of West Wittering. This is only a few miles from pretty yachting village of Emsorth, with narrow streets, walled gardens and Georgian houses. Nestled within Chichester Harbour, this has a popular farmers’ market that runs weekly.
A Small Island (off the Jurassic Coast)
Isle of Portland is off the Jurassic coast and known for its iconic Portland Bill (red and white stripes) that looks out on coastal traffic. Portland Castle is still in good condition and ideal for the history-loving holidaymaker. There are regular open top buses from Weymouth.
Just 4 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, this island has three lighthouses and many museums to explore. This is part of the South West Coast Path, with a strong pirate history. You can even climb the 153 steps of Portland Lighthouse, if you’re feeling fit.
Portland Bill is a landing point for thousands of migrating birds, and inland you’ll find wildflowers, butterflies and the odd grazing goat. Half of all our endangered butterfly species can be found here.
Portland stone was quarried here for many years, and is the stone used to be St Paul’s Cathedral in London. The disused quarries are now nature reserves.
Holy Island (Lindisfarne)
Lindisfarne (Holy Island) sits off the coast of Northumberland, and is known for having people stuck adrift in cars, when they don’t read the tide time tables (it’s cut off at high tide). Nearby are the Farne Islands (no people aside from working volunteers) that is the favourite wildlife-watching spot of Sir David Attenborough – puffins, seabirds and seals galore.
In 635AD, this is where St Aidan came to found his monastery. He was a well-travelled monk who was from Ireland and had already lived as a monk on the Isle of Iona in the Scottish Highlands. He learned English (he spoke Gaelic) and died in Bamburgh on the Northumbrian coast. He is now known as the one who converted all the Northumbrian heathens to Christianity!
There is a lovely story about St Aidan, in that he made a stag invisible, so it would not been seen by hunters. Wouldn’t that be lovely if someone could do that today?
In the same year that St Aidan founded the monastery, St Cuthbert was born. Known as the ‘environmentalist saint’, he was known to protect the local eider ducks. He was kind of like England’s version of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animal protection.
There is a story of otters coming to dry his skin with their fur, after he was praying in the sea. He placed the cuddy or eider ducks under his protection, so nobody could harm them. And they would happily nest near the chapel, knowing that they were safe if he was nearby.
Environmentalists say that just 3000 authentic eider duvets can be made yearly, as Icelandic eider ducks are not harmed, the locals simply hand-harvest fallen feathers. Other ‘eider’ duvets are not authentic, and may well come from geese, that have been killed. Choose a comfortable bamboo duvet instead!
The legend is that St Cuthbert saw the angels take st Aidan to heaven, and thus he converted and became a monk too. He moved to Lindisfarne when he was around 30 and stayed for 10 years. Then he moved to Inner Farne that was even more remote. People would sail to consult him (he was only left in peace, when the weather stopped them from travel).
Age 50, he was asked to leave the island to become a bishop, and reluctantly agreed. When he died, his body was returned to Lindisfarne. Many people who visited his grave, claimed miraculous healings.
There are many other monks and saints associated with this tiny island. One was St Bartholomew of Farne, borne to Scandinavian parents in Whitby. After a wild youth, he decided to become a priest in Norway. And after having a vision of Christ, went to Inner Farne and lived as a hermit for 42 years. Apparently the only two times he wasn’t happy was when other people were sent to live with him, so he could no longer be a hermit!
The 18 Islands on Lake Windermere
Belle Isle (Cumbria) is the largest of the Lake District islands, just 1 mile long and the only one that people have lived on. Some say the village once there was possibly connected to Ambleside’s nearby Roman fort. There are actually 18 islands on Lake Windermere, many called ‘holme’ after the local Cumbrian dialect Norse world for ‘island’.
Local William Dell did not like the circular house built on Belle Isle, describing it looking ‘like a tea canister’ in a shop window’. Dororthy Wordsworth (sister of William and his daffodil poems) was equally unimpressed saying ‘one of the pleasantest spots on earth, has been deformed by man’.
An Island (in the middle of London)
Isle of Dogs is not really an island, more a peninsula that juts out into the River Thames opposite Greenwich and Deptford. Home to Canary Wharf, it used to be marshy land used to rear animals, but today forms the financial hub of London.
This is where you find all the skyscrapers. So turn off all the lights when not in use, close blinds and use task lights, to stop light pollution and stop birds flying into windows.
On the west side there used to be windmills, making use of the s trong winds that used to blow across the Isle of Dogs. That’s why the area of Millwall is named after them. Now based in Bermondsey, the infamous football club invented the Millwall Brick (made from compressed paper to sneak into matches, then used to hit fans with).
One photographer recently looked them up to interview them, now the club is safer. Known for its chant of ‘No-one likes us, we don’t care’, he said that the politest interviee of all was the ‘scary skinhead with tattoos’ who graces the cover of his book.
The oldest ferry on the Isle of Dogs was where the ferryman used to life. He would give passengers lifts for free, while his wife would serve drinks. Nothing free now. Despite having a lot of council housing built back in the day, the average home here now will set you back around £400K. A quick look on Right Move however shows a ‘magnificent single-bay parking space’ that you can buy for a mere £30K!
The cheapest apartments are shared ownerships and the cheapest owned flats look like they used to be council flat estates. Likely within a mile of a 2-bedroom penthouse flat that is up for over £4 million. And for that you only get 2 bedrooms, and don’t even own the lease!