Lundy
Understand
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.
Get in
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 or .
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 . Tickets for the helicopter cost £125 for adults, and £67 for under 16s.
Get around
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
Old LightOld 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.
South LighthouseA grade-II listed lighthouse which was first built in 1897.
North LighthouseThe island's second 'modern' grade-II listed lighthouse, which together with the South Lighthouse have replaced the Old Light.
Marisco CastleBuilt 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.
St Helena's ChurchThe 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.
PondsburyThe 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.
Remains of a German Heinkel 111H bomberIn 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.
Quarry CottagesNow ruined cottages that were built in the 1860s to house some of the staff who worked for the company operating the nearby quarry.
Lundy quarryThe 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.
The EarthquakeA 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
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.
Buy
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phone: +44 1237 431831This 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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phone: +44 1237 431831The 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
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
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The Landmark Trust's self catering properties
phone: +44 1271 863636The 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). -
phone: +44 1271 863636There 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.
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phone: +44 844 800 3099The 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.