9 of England’s most beautiful islands, from Cornwall to Northumberland

‘There’s getting away from it all and then there’s this kind of otherworldly isolation. Lundy is an island which sits off the north Devon coastline. Famous for its diverse landscape and wildlife populations (it’s home to puffins, feral goats, grey seals, dolphins, whales and porpoises, to name a few), it’s largely off-grid – there are no cars, phone signal is intermittent and electricity isn’t available after midnight. Incredibly there are more than 20 places to stay the night on the island, each in unique buildings, like a former fisherman’s cottage, the old lighthouse keeper’s store (so small it sleeps just one) and what was once a Sunday school. There’s also a shop and pub on the island, which is where visitors and island residents congregate, eat and can phone the mainland.’

‘A tidal island near Penzance, St Michael’s Mount is one of the most photographed landmarks in England. It’s also one of the most atmospheric (especially if you visit outside of Cornwall’s busy tourist season), thanks to its unique location at the other side of a causeway accessible only during low tide. You can walk over to the island a handful of hours a day. Once there, watching the waves lap higher and higher over the stones until your path back to the mainland entirely disappears is a wonderfully strange experience. A tour of the island reveals more hidden surprises, such as the castle’s intricate, terraced gardens, studded with succulents, that step down towards the waves.’

‘This truly tiny island, just off the Furness Peninsula south of the Lake District, is just 50 acres in size. Take the ferry over from Roa Island and you’ll find a campsite, a pub and a castle. The ruins of Piel Castle, a fourteenth-century fortress designed to protect the area from pirates and raiders, are free to explore. The Ship Inn is the heart of the island – uniquely each new pub landlord is crowned ‘king’ of the island in a strange ceremony which dates back hundreds of years. Enjoying the Piel vibe? Stay the night – the campsite is first-come-first-served and costs around a fiver per tent.’ 

​​‘Each of the Scilly islands are atmospheric in their own way. There are hundreds of them – only five inhabited – sitting just off the coast of Cornwall and accessed via ferry, helicopter or small plane. St Agnes, the most south-westerly, is wild and peaceful, Bryher tiny and rugged, St Martin’s is known for its stunning beaches while privately-owned Tresco is the fanciest of the bunch. St Mary’s is the biggest of the Scillies, the gateway to the rest of the islands, but it’s dotted with hidden treasures. As well as lush beaches and dramatic coastline, you can find a number of well-preserved prehistoric sites that offer a glimpse into the islands’ incredible history. Don’t miss Porth Hellick Down, a burial chamber whose style is unique to these islands and mainland Cornwall, or Halangy Down, the remains of an ancient Iron Age village.’

‘Check-in and check-out time on Osea Island both depend on the tide times, as your route on and off the island is an ancient causeway built by the Romans which is only accessible for four hours at low tide. That’s far from the only quirk about this privately owned tidal island, which is dotted with a collection of self-catering cottages, apartments and beach-side houses. It’s all a little surreal, from the salt marshes and the Shack cinema to the incredible sense of seclusion.’

‘A woodland-covered island in the middle of Poole Harbour, Brownsea feels a world away from the mainland. Animal lovers flock here because of the island’s thriving population of red squirrels. Now endangered, red squirrels are actually native to England but their numbers have dwindled dramatically since the introduction of American grey squirrels. The population here is safe thanks to its island location, and the little creatures are best spotted in autumn scurrying around between the trees.’

‘Off the rugged coast of Northumberland, the Farne Islands are home to an incredible breeding seabird colony. Twenty-three species of bird frequent the island, including puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes, Arctic terns and eider ducks, among others. Grey seals also call this rocky outcrop home. The islands can only be accessed by boat. Some trips circle the group of islands while others land on Inner Farne and Staple island, when they are open to the public. Visitors that intend to get off and explore the unspoilt islands need to brush their clothes down and rinse their shoes beforehand to protect the islands’ special ecosystem.’

‘Just under 7,000 people call Mersea Island home. There’s plenty of space for visitors to explore the unique coastal spot, known for its colourful beach huts and super-fresh seafood. East Mersea is the place to head if you fancy walking in nature and exploring rural beaches, while West Mersea is where you’ll find a busier beach backed by a small fishing town. This is where you want to be if a plate of Colchester oysters, a glass of Mersea Island Vineyard white and holiday vibes appeal. The only way on and off the island is via The Strood causeway, which often floods at high tide, so you need to plan your travel around low tide times.’ 

‘An otherworldly island in a remote part of Northumberland, Lindisfarne has a big history. It is a spiritual place of pilgrimage, the home of saints and the centre of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon times and ransacked by Vikings in the eighth century. Like St Michael’s Mount, it’s a tidal island, cut off from mainland England at high tide. But, if you can make it across the causeway, there’s a little more life to be found on the other side, where there is a small but permanent population. As well as a castle clinging to the coastline and an ancient priory, you’ll find cafes, a coffee roasters, pubs and even a gin distillery on the surreal little island.’

‘Hidden England’ by Ellie Walker-Arnott is published by Luster (£16.95). Find out more here.