The English island labelled the UK’s best ‘hidden gem’ – with dolphins, whales & one pub… but no TV
AN ISLAND off the coast of the UK has been labelled as one of the best hidden gems for a holiday.
A lot more people are considering staycations this year, with the cost of travelling abroad rising sharply in recent years.
One destination holidaymakers might consider is Lundy Island off the coast of Devon, where they can see whales, seals and dolphins, swim in the sea and enjoy a nice drink in the one and only pub.
Booking website Bespoke Hotels declared it to be one of their favourite hidden holiday destinations this year, among a list of 10 spots in the UK.
They say that the island is both “inspiring and impressive” and offers holidaymakers “a trip like no other”.
The island has impressed people on social media too, with Tiktoker Simone (@explorewithsimone) visiting the island recently.
She showed how she spent her trip paddle boarding, watching dolphins and seals and hanging out by the picturesque beaches.
She wasn’t the only to be impressed by it either, with another Tiktoker Chloe Lofthouse (@chloeelofthouse) describing it as her “island paradise”.
Lundy can be reached from Devon’s mainland in less than two hours by ferry, but life on the island is not quite like it is elsewhere in the UK.
The Landmark Trust, who manage the island describe it as being: “In the hubbub of the modern world, a place apart, peaceful and unspoiled.”
That doesn’t mean everything on Lundy happens at a leisurely pace.
For thrill-seekers and more adventurous tourists, cliff diving, hiking and climbing are all activities that can be enjoyed on the island.
Snorkelling and diving are also very popular with visitors, hoping to catch a glimpse of the whales, dolphins and seals that make the waters near the island their home.
Sealife isn’t the only nature that can be observed on the island either, with puffins arriving yearly for their summer mating season.
More exotic birds have also been spotted on the island, including hoopoes and golden orioles, as they make the most of the island’s warmer climate.
Socialising on Lundy is pretty easy, with just one pub available for visitors.
The Marisco Tavern is “all things to all people” according to the Landmark Trust and is “the pub that never shuts”.
It is the only building on the Island to have lighting after the generators shut down for the night. However, alcohol is only served during permitted hours.
The tavern also provides a restaurant and social centre for Island staff and staying guests.
However, if you’re someone who can’t live without modern devices, Lundy might not be for you, with technology limited on the island.
But for those looking to leave the trappings of modern society behind for a few days, it could be perfect.
As one TripAdvisor review states: “As for the Island, it was peaceful, quiet, tranquil, stunning scenery, the list could go on, and on.
“No phone coverage, no TV, no radio, no internet, electric off during the night, just great.”
For those wanting to stay overnight on Lundy, there are 23 individual self-catering properties available for short breaks and weekly holiday lets. There’s also a campsite.
A four-night stay in one of the properties is available from £34.50pp per night.
Meanwhile, camping stays start from £11 per person per night.
Meanwhile, Lundy isn’t the only remote location in the south west worth visiting, with this beach in Cornwall described as “perfect”.
And these are some of the most tranquil staycation spots in the UK.