By Melissa Corkhill
01st October 2015
ISLE OF MULL, SCOTLAND
The Isle of Mull (often just called Mull) is the second largest of the inner Hebrides with a population of nearly 3000. The capital is the village of Tobermory, at the North end, with its streets full of colourful painted houses. Mull is home to the only Munro (a Scottish hill over 3000 feet) that requires a ferry crossing. Visit for unspoiled landscapes, pristine beaches and a wildlife extravaganza.
STAY We love the small wooden hut set amidst woodland in Calgary Bay. Part of the roof is made with a boat and there is no electricity but a stove keeps the hut toasty. Prices start at £180 for two nights. calgary.co.uk/kittiwake.html
INFO holidaymull.co.uk
OSEA ISLAND, ESSEX
Osea Island is a luxury island available for holidays, situated close to central London, Osea sits on the Blackwater Estuary surrounded by four and a half miles of its own beaches and coastline.
STAY Manor Cottage is a beachfront cottage with sea views and a large private garden. It sleeps up to four in two double bedrooms. The living room has a wood burning stove and an open plan kitchen/dining area. Prices start at £575 for a short break in November. oseaisland.co.uk/II-manor-beach
INFO oseaisland.co.uk
ISLE OF WIGHT
This shimmering white island on the south coast is England’s largest. Many of the resorts have been holiday havens since Victorian times and there is a sense of stepping back in time when you visit. The ferry journey is quick enough that you can escape for just a weekend. For an island just 23 miles wide and 13 miles deep, the Isle of Wight packs in a surprising variety of attractions. Best known for sandy beaches and a dramatic coastline, it is also famous as the Garden Island, where rare plants, vineyards and natural produce flourish because of the mild climate and remarkably diverse rural landscape. The IOW also boasts a rich cultural heritage stretching from Roman times up to the present day and the annual Isle of Wight Festival and Bestival.
STAY Seven yurts furnished with everything you need for a relaxing family break. Each has wooden floors, a burner and proper beds and futons. Located on the peaceful Western side of the island, near Freshwater it has good access to local shops, cafes and bus routes. For a midweek break in October (season ends on 12th), prices start at £125. thereallygreenholidaycompany.com
INFO isleofwight.com
JERSEY
The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey offers striking coastline, golden sands and a unique blend of British and French influences. Walkers and cyclists can happily explore a myriad of winding green lanes, rugged coastlines and wooded valleys.
For the active holidaymaker there is a wealth of breathtaking experiences on offer to stimulate the senses – take to the waters, climb the cliffpaths or thrill at the exhilaration of kite surfing and blo karting.
Rich in history and culture, the very character of this tiny Island is forged by centuries of battles, exploration, struggle and reinvention.
STAY Each camping pod at Durrell Wildlife Park has beds, wood burning stove, outdoor deck with sunbeds, as well as showering and kitchen facilities. To really immerse yourself in a Durrell adventure, why not choose a dusk tour, or a ‘behind-the-scenes’ animal experience? Each pod sleeps up to two adults and two children. durrell.org/camp
jersey.com
ANGLESEY
Pack a picnic and hit the beach for some rock pooling, take a family surfing lesson or find a local nature walk and see some of the islands amazing wildlife. Discover butterflies, birds and mini-beasts at Pili Palas (pilipalas.co.uk) or explore an underwater world at Anglesey Sea Zoo (angleseyseazoo.co.uk), where you can take a sea safari, enjoy live displays and learn about marine life straight from the experts.
STAY For affordable family accommodation check out the Anglesey Outdoor Centre where you can pitch a tent, stay in a yurt or caban (wooden Finnish style yurt) or use the hostelling facilities. Prices start from £17 per night for a family tent space. angleseyoutdoors.com
INFO visitanglesey.co.uk
LUNDY
In a place of wide spaces and big skies, without roads, cars or pollution, simply walking is a profound pleasure. Lundy has a milder climate than the mainland, with more sunshine and less rain. The particular character of Lundy derives from its varied terrain; on the west side, exposed to the Atlantic, there are high and rugged cliffs, on the east, sheltered from the prevailing wind, the coastline is gentler with grassy slopes, trees and many types of wild flowers. This contrast explains the rich diversity of the island’s animal and plant life and its attraction to walkers, climbers and divers. People return time and again to the simple pleasures that Lundy affords; the sea is clear, the landscape spectacular, and at night, without competition from street lights, it is truly dark and the stars shine with unfamiliar brilliance.
STAY There are 23 self-catering properties on the island, owned by the Landmark Trust. We like Old Light Lower, which sleeps four in the old lighthouse keepers flat. Pries start from £266 for a four-night break. landmarktrust.org.uk
INFO lundyisland.co.uk
LINDISFARNE
Skim over the sands and causeway to Holy Island and prepare to enter another world. Lying just a few miles off the Northumberland coast, Holy Island is cut off twice-daily from the rest of the world by fast-moving tides. Both an island and a picturesque village, Holy Island carries a wealth of history within its tidal walls. Island status protects tidal mudflats, saltmarshes and dunes, which together form the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. Rare plants and an abundance of food supplies attract visiting birds from thousands of miles. Autumn is the best time to look out for internationally important species of wildfowl and wading birds that overwinter on the reserve. ?
STAY The 18th century millhouse at Lindisfarne Bay Cottages is thought to be the site of the original mill that served the monks on Lindisfarne for many centuries. These three eco converted cottages overlook the Holy Island and sleep from four to eight. Prices start at £440 for a weekend break in November.
INFO lindisfarne.org.uk
visitnorthumberland.com and for tide tables see northumberlandlife.org/holy-island.
BRYHER
Pounded by Atlantic waves on one side, yet blessed with calm sandy beaches on the other, Bryher is an island of dramatic contrast – the perfect place to enjoy a taste of untamed Scilly. Around 80 people are lucky enough to call it home. The little island is the setting of the film, “When the Whales Came”, based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel inspired by the island. Whether you’re exploring rocky coves, lazing on white sandy beaches or hiking up one of its small granite hills for some great views, Bryher serves up a wonderful sense of freedom. The entire island is criss-crossed by tracks and dotted with stalls selling fresh produce including farm eggs, local vegetables, freshly landed seafood and island fudge.
STAY Bracken Cottage sleeps 4 people in a twin and double room. The spacious open plan kitchen, dining area and lounge look out to spectacular sea views, which are maximised by the large lounge window and patio door, which leads out to the private decking area. Safe, sandy beaches are less than 200m away. Prices start at £300 per week.
INFO simplyscilly.co.uk; for boats to other islands and birdwatching trips, see bryherboats.co.uk.
FAIRISLE
Fair Isle, 3.5 miles long by 1.5 miles wide, is Britain’s most remote inhabited island, with around 65-70 people concentrated in the more fertile, sheltered southern end of the island. To the north the terrain is more exposed, consisting of rough grazing and heather moorland, with spectacular cliffs and narrow geos Although the majority of islanders still croft, primarily farming sheep alongside vegetable production for personal consumption, family income is supported by a range of other occupations. Traditional knitwear is still sold by crofters, with jumpers, hats and range of smaller items available to buy on the island or made to order, with local artists and other textile designers also producing goods for sale.
STAY The new hostel accommodation at the Fair Isle Bird Observatory is understandably popular with twitchers. It has family en suite rooms available from April to October. Prices for a family room are £65 per night. fairislebirdobs.co.uk
INFO fairisle.org.uk or visit.shetland.org/fair-isle
ISLE OF MAN
Discover more than 100,000 years of Manx history and step back in time as you journey around some of the Island’s most important heritage sites, ancient monuments and museums. Follow the Story of Mann trail which will guide you around ancient castles, forts and sites of religious and political importance as well as burial grounds and Neolithic chambered tombs left by the Vikings and Celts. With more than 40 per cent of the land on the Isle of Man unpopulated you’ll enjoy journeying into the countryside – the Island has 17 national glens, many of which lead to the sea, and a number of excellently maintained parks and gardens which are perfect for a family day out. Wildlife enthusiasts will also find something to suit – the Sound is a perfect place to spot seals basking on the rocks or bobbing in the sea and the Ayres in the north is an excellent location for birdwatching.
STAY Tucked down a quiet farm lane in the North of the Island and only 1m from the Lhen Beach, Ballacamaish Farm Cottages have a choice of three traditional farm cottages. Each sleeps up to four people and includes an open plan living area and clothes-drying areas. Prices for a short break start at £200. manxfarmcottages.com
INFO visitisleofman.com
