Lundy Island is a small unspoilt granite outcrop that is just three miles long and half a mile wide. It's located twelve miles off the coast of North Devon where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Bristol Channel. From late March until the end of October visitors can travel there from Bideford or Illfracombe aboard the supply vessel MS Oldenburg.
Bideford is just over an hour away from West Carclaze village making it an excellent day trip when you’re in need of a change of scenery.
What the island lacks in size it more than makes up for in dramatic landscapes and wildlife watching. On the west side there is dramatic tall rugged cliffs and a sheltered and sloping grassy coastline to the east.
There is unique flora and fauna, sika deer, stay sheep, Lundy ponies, cattle, goat, seals and an array of bird life.
Lundy was the UK’s first Marine Conservation Zone and each year there is the Lundy Marine Festival which has a fantastic selection of educational events from snorkel safaris, guided coastal walks, wreck diving, talks and much more. You can plan for next year here: https://www.lundymarinefestival.org.uk
The best way to see what the island has on offer is to go letterboxing, a treasure hunt for the whole family that will take you on really hard, almost impossible to complete, adventure around the whole island. It’s a geocaching activity that involves following clues to find ‘letterboxes’ (tupperware/ammunition canisters) that hold stamps.
The adventure is colour graded ranging from green (easiest) through to extremely challenging (red) that will require scrambling over rat island at low tide. When you complete each level you can return to the shop to collect a certificate.
There are 28 stamps to collect in total, only the most committed adventurers will collect them all. Head to the shop on arrival to buy your letterboxing pack (£7.00). Pro tip: nip to the tavern and scroll through the letterboxing log book that holds extra tips and clues along with jottings from other letterboxes. Warning: Be prepared to become obsessed!
The old lighthouse is the highest point on the island with a beautiful spiral staircase of 147 worn steps. Climb to the top and you will reach the now redundant lantern room. Theres a couple of deck chairs up there where you can recline and take in the view. Sunset is awesome from here especially when accompanied with some cheese and wine.
Even during the shortest of stays at Lundy you will likely see a seal or two but the one to two hour hike up to the Northern Lighthouse will reward you with fantastic views of of the seals hauled out and sun bathing.
‘Lundy’ is Norse for puffin and any literature you read about Lundy will hold images of puffins. However these adorable little birds were virtually wiped out by island rats, but they have made a triumphant come back. The nesting period is the best time to view them which is between April – early July, at Jenny’s Cove and St Phillip’s Stone.
The supply boat MS Oldenburg is often accompanied by dolphins and we were delighted to see them on our journey out. They leaped out of the water in the wake and the whole boat erupted into the squeals of joy. They certainly made a memorable crossing.
A day trip over to Lundy is a great first visit but trust me when I say that it will leave you wanting more.
You can find the boat timetable here: https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/timetable/ but the island also offers sailing and helicopter transfers too. You can join the 28 residents who live permanently on the island by extending your stay for a few days. There’s various accommodation on the island from camping to staying in an old fisherman’s cottage or one of the other 22 self-catering properties.
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