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There's always something magical about a short hop to an island, more so if it’s by boat and on foot or by bike. That's not to say our touring holidays miss out on an island experience! We like the sense of feeling far away from it all - whether for a day or a stay.
Castles have it right - Eilean Donan with its charming setting seen above and Leeds Castle with its moat. Stay here on our walking and cycling trips in Kent. We also love the many islands created by the River Thames, often romantic and rarely without a good name - Eel Pie, Monkey and Pharoah's - Walk the Thames Path and you'll tread quite a few.
For mystery try Orkney, its Neolithic village Skara Brae being older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids; for exotic visit the Isles of Scilly; for deserted homes Barra; for singing sands Islay and for Art Deco Burgh Island. You get the picture. Below we pick 4 islands all within a short boat trip of Britain’s mainland and yet each offers something strikingly different.
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LISMORE
With only 70 residents and a notable percentage being Gaelic speakers, this tiny Inner Hebridean island, just 10 miles long and not far from Oban in the Scottish Highlands, is where you can really get off the beaten track on our walking holiday or cycling trip. Enjoy its wild landscape with unspoilt views.
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ANGLESEY
Off the NW coast of Wales yet not far from the Snowdonia mountain range, this island has the village with the longest place name in Britain - Llanfairpwllgwy nygwynyllgogerychwymdrobllllantysiliogogogoch. Phew! Unlike the other islands, access on our cycling holiday is over the suspension bridge.
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ORFORD NESS
Strictly Orford Ness is not an island but a shingle spit joined at one end to mainland Suffolk. It’s strange landscape and unique mix of rather secretive uses - past and present - atomic weapons research and radio transmitter make our Suffolk coast walking holiday and our Suffolk seaside jolly cycling tour notable! You can choose to visit or stay on the mainland and eat oysters!
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ISLE OF WIGHT
England’s largest island offers wonderful beaches, a slightly old fashioned charm, marvellous sailing, staggering chalk stacks and the biggest dinosaur discovered in the British Isles was unearthed in its cliffs. Cross from the old smuggling port of Lymington to Yarmouth with its Tudor castle. Many of our New Forest and Dorset cycling trips spend the day here.
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