On the northwestern tip of Wales, Holy Island has beautiful coves, ripe for a wild swimming adventure. Holyhead Mountain is a heathery moor with 360-degree views into the Irish Sea and Welsh peaks of Snowdonia.
Holy Island —
On the northwestern tip of Wales, Holy Island has beautiful coves, ripe for a wild swimming adventure. Holyhead Mountain is a heathery moor with 360-degree views into the Irish Sea and Welsh peaks of Snowdonia.
Ben Hall/RSPB
This little island in the Orkneys is reachable by the world's shortest scheduled flight: less than two minutes from Kirkwall. Some 90 people call this place home and are fiercely proud of its superb beaches and long history.
Papa Westray —
This little island in the Orkneys is reachable by the world's shortest scheduled flight: less than two minutes from Kirkwall. Some 90 people call this place home and are fiercely proud of its superb beaches and long history.
Courtesy David Parkin
A Welsh island, Skomer's remote location off the tip of the Pembrokeshire peninsula makes it a haven for dolphin, porpoise and, occasionally, whales. Oh, and puffins.
Skomer Island —
A Welsh island, Skomer's remote location off the tip of the Pembrokeshire peninsula makes it a haven for dolphin, porpoise and, occasionally, whales. Oh, and puffins.
Matt Cardy/Getty Images
A small population lives on Lundy full time, but day trips are easy to arrange from the mainland. It's also possible to stay in one of the few houses, which are maintained by the<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.landmarktrust.org.uk%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"> Landmark Trust</a>.
Lundy —
A small population lives on Lundy full time, but day trips are easy to arrange from the mainland. It's also possible to stay in one of the few houses, which are maintained by the Landmark Trust.
The Scilly Isles are an unlikely tropical gem, 40 kilometers off the coast of Cornwall, southwest England. With white sandy beaches and azure waters, the Scillies benefit from their proximity to warm Gulf Stream currents, giving the islands unique flora not found elsewhere in the UK. <br />
Scilly Isles —
The Scilly Isles are an unlikely tropical gem, 40 kilometers off the coast of Cornwall, southwest England. With white sandy beaches and azure waters, the Scillies benefit from their proximity to warm Gulf Stream currents, giving the islands unique flora not found elsewhere in the UK.
Joe Minihane
Settled by Christian hermits from nearby Lindisfarne in the 7th century, today the islands are home to a towering Victorian lighthouse and thousands of puffins and seals.
Farne Islands —
Settled by Christian hermits from nearby Lindisfarne in the 7th century, today the islands are home to a towering Victorian lighthouse and thousands of puffins and seals.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Rum is the gem of the Small Isles, a set of islands in the northern part of the Inner Hebrides. Its mountains are stunning and offer views across the Atlantic back onto the mainland.
Rum —
Rum is the gem of the Small Isles, a set of islands in the northern part of the Inner Hebrides. Its mountains are stunning and offer views across the Atlantic back onto the mainland.
Courtesy David Parkin
Located in the largest natural harbor in Europe, Brownsea Island is known for its well-maintained woodland. It's also the site of the first Boy Scouts camp, held by Lord Baden-Powell in 1907.
Brownsea Island —
Located in the largest natural harbor in Europe, Brownsea Island is known for its well-maintained woodland. It's also the site of the first Boy Scouts camp, held by Lord Baden-Powell in 1907.
Courtesy National Trust Images/John Miller
Jura's famous Paps mountains offer a hard walking challenge, while Islay's Machir Bay is one of Scotland's hottest surf spots. Beyond the wild countryside, these islands are famous for their whiskies. <br />
Jura and Islay —
Jura's famous Paps mountains offer a hard walking challenge, while Islay's Machir Bay is one of Scotland's hottest surf spots. Beyond the wild countryside, these islands are famous for their whiskies.
David Cannon/Getty Images
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. But the place is steeped in history, having been occupied since the Romans first came to Britain.
Canvey Island —
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. But the place is steeped in history, having been occupied since the Romans first came to Britain.
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images