Lundy is an island 3 miles (4.8 km) long and ½ mile (0.8 km) wide off the coast of North Devon in the south west of the United Kingdom, where the Bristol Channel meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Understand
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The island is owned by the National Trust and run by the Landmark Trust, a UK charity organisation. All profit from visitors is reinvested into the upkeep of the island.
The island is a large granite formation with very high cliffs. There is an abundance of wildlife on the land and in the surrounding sea. Many rare birds visit or live on the island including Puffins, after which the island is named. There is lots to see even for non-bird watchers, including amazing scenery and many historic buildings. The island only has 20 residents, all employees of the Landmark trust, but has a castle, a church, three lighthouses (two operational, one decommissioned), a farm, a tavern, a small shop and many other buildings.
Visitor information
[edit]- Lundy Island on the Landmark Trust site
Get in
[edit]The main way of getting to Lundy is by boat - from the end of March until the end of October, you can visit Lundy for the day (or longer) by travelling on the MS Oldenburg from 1 Ilfracombe or 2 Bideford.
The journey takes just over 2 hours and allows you to take in the views of the Devon coast along the way. The ship's departure time from Lundy will be posted on the Marisco Tavern notice-board at least 24 hours before the sailing. Some sailings return you to a different port from that which you departed. Refer to the sailing timetable for specific dates. When the coach/transport link is required between the ports of Ilfracombe and Bideford, the Landmark Trust will co-ordinate this service if you let them know on your return journey aboard MS Oldenburg.
Tickets for a day return ferry crossing cost £40 for adults; £37 for concessions; and £21 for under 16s. Returns for those staying more than a day cost £70 for adults; and £36 for children.
It is also possible to charter a vessel or make your own way there with your own boat, although you will be charged a small landing fee.
If travelling to Lundy outside of the main tourist season (over the winter months) - the island is reachable by helicopter from 3 Hartland Point. Tickets for the helicopter cost £125 for adults, and £67 for under 16s.
Get around
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This is a small island and the only way of exploring it is on foot - if looking to hike around the island, Ordnance Survey sell a 1:25,000 map of the area (which includes some of nearby Devon), the OS Explorer Map 139. No vehicles are allowed on Lundy, except a few which are used by the farmer and the Landmark Trust.
See
[edit]The island is steeped in history and has some very interesting places to visit regardless of your archaeological interests. One of the best things about Lundy is that it is totally un-commercial and there are no signs and the only fences or barriers are there to keep the farm animals in. The only sign of a 'tourism market' is the village shop selling puffin toys.
- 1 Old Light (in the middle of the island). Old Light is reputed to be the highest lighthouse in England and was decommissioned as it spends much of its time in bad weather with its head in the clouds. The lighthouse is still open to visit and you can climb the very steep and precarious spiral staircase to the very top where the light platform now accommodates two deck chairs, from which the whole island can be observed.
- 2 South Lighthouse. A grade-II listed lighthouse which was built in 1897.
- 3 North Lighthouse. The island's second 'modern' grade-II listed lighthouse, which together with the South Lighthouse have replaced the Old Light.
- 4 Marisco Castle. Built by King Henry III in the 13th century to establish sovereignty and the rule of law over the island. It is named after the Marisco family, who had earlier in the century tried to have Henry III killed.
- 5 St Helen's Church. The current church building is from the late-19th century, but is on a site where there has been a graveyard and chapel since at least the 9th century.
- 6 Pondsbury. The largest pool on the island, which was built to store water for the summer. Local flora and fauna can still be seen surrounding the pond, and carp can still be found in it.
- 7 Remains of a German Heinkel 111H bomber. In 1941, during World War II, two German Heinkel bomber planes crashed on the island. Although most of the wreckage has been since salvaged or plundered, some remnants of the planes can still be seen here. The other plane's crash site is on the cliffs, to the west of Pondsbury.
- 8 Quarry Cottages. Now ruined cottages that were built in the 1860s to house some of the staff who worked for the company operating the nearby quarry.
- 9 Lundy quarry. The island was quarried for granite during the mid-19th century, and the remains of these quarries can still be seen today on the eastern edge of the island.
- 10 The Earthquake. A large chasm on the western side of the island, which some claim was caused by the shockwaves of an earthquake in Lisbon, Portugal in 1755. However, modern geologists doubt this was the actual cause of this feature.
Do
[edit]Being an island without roads or other 'modern' amenities - exploring the island on foot is one of the main attractions to Lundy. The island is host to many different species of animals and plants - including puffins, seals, and goats. Lundy also has its own breed of horse, the Lundy pony - bred from a mix of other UK breeds, and now known as a tough horse due to the island's terrain.
A walk around the whole island would likely take a few hours at least - especially if time is taken to properly explore all the sites on the island. On your walk, remember to take things such as water, sun cream (if sunny), and proper footwear.
It is also possible to kayak to (and around) Lundy. Experienced kayakers with their own kayak should find this an enjoyable challenge, starting from either the coast along Ilfracombe or Lee Bay; or from Hartland Point. For those who are less experienced, contact a kayaking company such as Sea Kayak Devon for advice and to see if they can offer any help.
Coincya wrightii, more commonly known as Lundy cabbage, is a species of plant only found on the island. Two species of insect, which feed on the plant, are also only found on Lundy
A puffin on Lundy: puffins are most commonly seen during the nesting season of April—July
A Lundy pony, one of the many animals which come from the island
Umbilicus rupestris (navelwort) growing on a wall on Lundy
One of the around 25 feral goats which live on Lundy: goats have been on the island since at least the 18th century.
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Buy
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- 1 Lundy General Stores, ☏ +44 1237 431831, shop@lundyisland.co.uk. This is the one shop on the island. It sells food, camping supplies, and souvenirs. If staying on Lundy, you can order what you'd like to have during your stay to your accommodation, but make sure to do this at least 14 days before your arrival.
Eat
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Full cooking facilities and utensils are available if you want to cook in the accommodation, but the island also has a popular pub serving alcohol and food.
- 1 Marisco Tavern, ☏ +44 1237 431831. The food at the Marisco Tavern is good quality and plentiful, and uses much of the island's own produce. The main meals are kept on a warm burner, so you will not have to wait for your meal unless you order something different; the cooks are very flexible. A main meal costs about the same as a normal UK pub meal, but the quantities are far larger and the quality of cooking exceeds that of many very expensive restaurants. Breakfast, lunch and tea are available, and the desserts are amazing.
Drink
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The Marisco Tavern, although operating as the island's only restaurant, is also a 'traditional' pub, where beers, liquors, and wines are served. The pub also encourages musicians to play if on the island, so occasionally live music can be heard there too.
Alternatively, alcohol could be brought to Lundy in your luggage, but be careful, as alcohol and cliffs, such as those found on the island, generally don't mix too well.
Sleep
[edit]- The Landmark Trust's self catering properties, ☏ +44 1271 863636, info@lundyisland.co.uk. The Landmark Trust operates all accommodation on Lundy. It runs 23 self-catering properties, using many of the renovated original buildings, all with the basics such as water, bedding, and heating. It is advertised as the place to 'get away from the modern world', and so there are no TVs, phones, or radios in any property; and electricity is usually turned off overnight (apart from in one property where there is no electricity at all). Price depends on which property is chosen.
- 1 Camping, ☏ +44 1271 863636, info@lundyisland.co.uk. There is a camp site for 40 people on the island, which offers a cheap way of staying there. It is only open, however, during the summer when the MS Oldenburg is running. This campsite has been named one of 'Britain's best island campsites' by the Guardian. 4 nights from £32.
- Working holidays, ☏ +44 844 800 3099, workingparty@lundy.org.uk. The Landmark Trust also occasionally runs working holidays, where in return for a few days' work building walls, roads and helping out with the upkeep of the island, volunteers get free accommodation and food.
Stay safe
[edit]Lundy Island is an extremely safe place to live and visit, with basically no crime at all on the island. Being on the edge of the Atlantic ocean with little shelter, Lundy's weather can be extreme during the winter months. Storms can include Force 10-11 winds (up to 70 mph or 115 km/h) winds. During the summer months, Lundy can often be much warmer than the mainland. Bring good walking shoes, waterproof clothing, and most importantly, your sense of adventure!
Cope
[edit]Lundy generates its own electricity and collects its own water. There are no televisions, radios or telephones in the accommodation. It is the perfect antidote for a hectic work life. The island is a perfect place to wind down and relax and it is very easy to forget about life on the mainland. It doesn't matter whether you choose to explore every hidden corner of the island or stay in your warm cottage and enjoy the view and the serenity.
Go next
[edit]Go back to Bideford or Ilfracombe via the MS Oldenburg. If you got here with your own boat, you could sail north towards South Wales, for places such as Pembrokeshire Coast National Park or Swansea. If your boat is big enough, Ireland could be another destination, such as Waterford or Cork.