Located in the Thames estuary and separated from southeast England’s Essex county by deep creeks, Canvey might not be the most obvious place for an island break. However, the place is steeped in history, having been occupied since the Romans first came to Britain.Holy Island — On the northwestern tip of Wales, Holy Island has beautiful coves, ripe for a wild swimming adventure. Moreover, Holyhead Mountain is a heathery moor with stunning 360-degree views into the Irish Sea and the Welsh peaks of Snowdonia.This little island in the Orkneys is reachable by the world’s shortest scheduled flight: less than two minutes from Kirkwall. Consequently, around 90 people call this place home and are fiercely proud of its superb beaches and rich history.A Welsh island, Skomer’s remote location off the tip of the Pembrokeshire peninsula makes it a haven for dolphins, porpoises, and occasionally, whales. It is also famous for its puffins.A small population lives on Lundy full time, but day trips are easy to arrange from the mainland. Furthermore, it is possible to stay in one of the few houses maintained by the Landmark Trust.The Scilly Isles are an unlikely tropical gem, located 40 kilometers off the coast of Cornwall, southwest England. Therefore, with white sandy beaches and azure waters, the Scillies benefit from their proximity to warm Gulf Stream currents, which creates unique flora not found elsewhere in the UK.Settled by Christian hermits from nearby Lindisfarne in the 7th century, today these islands are home to a towering Victorian lighthouse and thousands of puffins and seals.Rum is the jewel of the Small Isles, a set of islands in the northern part of the Inner Hebrides. Its mountains are breathtaking and offer stunning views across the Atlantic back onto the mainland.Situated in the largest natural harbor in Europe, Brownsea Island is acclaimed for its well-preserved woodland. Additionally, it’s recognized as the site of the first Boy Scouts camp, which was held by Lord Baden-Powell in 1907.Jura’s famous Paps mountains provide a rigorous walking challenge, while Islay’s Machir Bay is among Scotland’s top surf spots. Moreover, beyond the wild countryside, these islands are well-known for their whiskies.
