Tucked away off the UK coast lies a little-known island that feels like a step back in time. With no cars, a few residents, and an atmosphere of untouched charm, this hidden island has earned a spot on Wanderlust Magazine’s must-visit list for summer.
Ranking among the top 30 of Britain’s secret places to visit, Laundy Island in Devon stands out for its intriguing charm. The travel expert shared: “This island feels like a lump of the Hebrides mysteriously dumped in the south-west. It is a wild, beautiful and almost treeless place, with a tiny resident population, no cars, a lot of sheep, cattle and ponies, and kilometres of footpaths.”
They continued: “The chief attraction is the cliffside breeding puffins (best see April to July), but the chance to get away from it all ensures that few visitors only come here once.”
Why visit?
If you’re looking for peace and serenity, this is the place to visit. Lundy is the largest island in the Bristol Channel, located 12 miles off the coast of Devon, England.
The recluse island has an average residential population of 28 people, including a warden, an island manager, a farmer, a shopkeeper, maintenance and housekeeping staff, and a kitchen team in the Marisco Tavern, reported Bideford Council.
The Landmark Trust said: “Just off the coast of Devon, surrounded by the clear waters of the Atlantic, Lundy Island is a world apart.
“A haven for divers, climbers and birdwatchers, Lundy is an island of contrasts with spectacular coastal scenery and sheltered valleys, rich in wildflowers and wildlife. And at the end of the day, swap tales of your adventures in the friendly Marisco Tavern.”
Lundy Island’s historic dark past
This seemingly quiet island is rich in history and has a turbulent past, once serving as a haven for rebels and pirates. In 1235, nobleman William de Marisco was linked to the murder of a royal messenger, and three years later, a failed assassination attempt on King Henry III was traced to his family.
Fleeing to Lundy, William built a stronghold at what is now Bulls’ Paradise. In 1242, he was captured with 16 followers, taken to London, and executed for treason. By 1250, King Henry III reinforced the island’s importance by building a castle there.
A few hundred years later, in 1627, Barbary pirates known as the Salé Rovers captured Lundy, using it as a base to raid ships and coastal towns, abducting locals for ransom or slavery.
The Royal Navy reclaimed the island five years later under King Charles I. Lundy was also the last Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War, surrendering in 1647.
How to visit
There are only two modes of transport that can get you to Lundy Island. From April to October, visitors can reach the island via the Landmark Trust’s own ship, the MS Oldenburg. The ship departs from both Bideford and Ilfracombe around three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with an extra day added on Wednesday during July and August, reported Bideford council.
According to Lundy Trust, return tickets for the 2025 period cost:
- £97 for adults
- £51 for children under 16
- £23 for infants under four
Day return tickets are cheaper:
- £54 for adults
- £28 for children under 16
- Infants under four travel free of charge.
- A family ticket for two adults and two children is £125.
However, the MS Oldenburg is out of service during the winter months. Between October and March, a scheduled helicopter service from Hartland Point provides access to the island.
Tickets cost £174 for adults, £96 for children under 16, and £26 for infants under two. Flights operate on Mondays and Fridays between 12 noon and 2 pm, departing from a field near the Beacon at the top of Hartland Point.
Visitors can stay overnight in one of the 23 different accommodations. Prices start at £168 for four nights for a little cottage or stay in the Lundy Vestry, which was built by the Reverend Hudson Heaven in 1896. It will cost a little more than £300 for four nights in the St Helens church.