Walney Island, the largest island in the Furness Island group off the west coast of England, is poised for a significant upgrade with the development of a new £1.5 million walking and cycling trail. Scheduled to open in the spring of 2025, this 1.4-mile route in North Walney will enhance accessibility for both residents and visitors, offering improved connectivity and opportunities for exploration. The project involves laying new kerbs, upgrading street lighting, and installing benches and additional lighting along the path. A dedicated crossing on Mill Lane will further enhance safety and convenience. This investment is expected to boost the island’s appeal as a destination, facilitating easier access to its diverse attractions and natural beauty.
Currently, Walney Island offers a wealth of attractions for visitors. Stretching 11 miles in length, the island boasts several beaches and nature reserves. The North Walney Nature Reserve is a notable highlight, revealing expansive sandy stretches at low tide. Its southern counterpart, the South Walney Nature Reserve, is renowned for housing the only Grey Seal colony on the Cumbrian coast. This colony, often reaching a population of around 500 seals, provides a spectacular wildlife viewing opportunity, observable at low tide or via a dedicated seal cam. Earnse Bay, a sand and shingle beach on the island’s western coast, offers panoramic vistas across the Irish Sea, encompassing the Isle of Man and the Lake District mountains. This picturesque location also serves as a popular hub for watersports enthusiasts, particularly kitesurfers. Adding to the island’s unique character is its own airport, primarily utilized by the Royal Air Force and not currently servicing passenger flights.
Nearby Piel Island, a smaller island within the Furness group, harbors its own distinct allure. Home to a mere ten residents, Piel Island boasts the historic Piel Castle, a 14th-century fortress erected by the Abbot of Furness to safeguard Barrow-in-Furness from pirates and Scottish raiders. Strategically positioned on the southeastern tip of Piel Island, the castle commands impressive views across Morecambe Bay. Adding a touch of local flavor to the island’s historical significance is the Ship Inn. This pub upholds a unique tradition of crowning each new landlord as “King” of the island, a custom rooted in the 19th-century attempt by Lambert Simnel to seize the English throne.
Beyond Walney and Piel, other lesser-known UK islands offer intriguing destinations for exploration. The Isle of Erraid, a tidal island off the Ross of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland, gains its notoriety as the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s renowned novel “Kidnapped.” Connected to the mainland by a sandy expanse during low tide, Erraid enjoys a remarkably dry and sunny climate for Scotland, ensuring pleasant beach days. Further north, Unst, the UK’s most northerly inhabited island, offers a remote escape with a population of around 600. This sparsely populated island features just one pub, hotel, school, three shops, and a single bus route, embodying a tranquil and isolated atmosphere.
Skaw Beach on Unst, the UK’s most northerly beach, captivates visitors with its golden sands and meadow backdrop teeming with wildflowers during spring and summer. The beach’s shape provides a natural shelter from the wind. Despite its remote location, Skaw Beach has garnered over 100 reviews on Google, highlighting its wild and untouched beauty and bracingly cold waters. The island also serves as a haven for diverse birdlife, including corncrakes, lapwings, peregrines, hen harriers, and sandpipers, alongside deer, hedgehogs, and Black Face sheep.
In contrast to these remote island experiences, Osea Island, a private island, caters to a different clientele. Popular among celebrities such as Rihanna, Stormzy, and Jude Law, Osea Island has earned the nickname “English Necker Island,” often attracting A-listers to its recording studio. While primarily a private retreat, portions of the island are available for overnight bookings, offering a glimpse into the exclusive world of celebrity getaways. The diverse range of islands surrounding the UK, from the soon-to-be-enhanced Walney Island to the celebrity-frequented Osea Island, provides a spectrum of experiences for visitors seeking unique and memorable destinations.
