Do you want to spend your next vacation surrounded by water without the hassle of long-distance travel? You might be amazed at how many exciting and pristine islands await you in the United Kingdom. From the beautiful dunes of Jersey to the solitary allure of the Shetland Islands, there is always something special about stepping off the island to explore the British isles’ outskirts. We conducted a tour of the best islands to visit in UK to help you locate the ideal offshore location for your next holiday.Book your flight tickets with booking.com.
List of Best Islands to Visit in UK
There are multiple islands that you can visit in UK. However, feedhour has curated a list of the best islands to visit in UK. The list of the best islands to visit in UK is as follows:
1. The Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom is ideal for a family vacation, with its sandy beaches, model village, and steam railway running. The South Coast island is less than five miles off the coast of Hampshire, and you can visit by hovercraft, which departs from Southsea in Portsmouth and arrives in Ryde in only 10 minutes. The ride over the Solent is the world’s last commercial hovercraft route, making for a quirky and nostalgic welcome to this quaint and distinctive island.
The Needles Landmark Attraction – a fun-packed amusement park on the site of an astonishing stretch of chalk cliffs that rise from the sea, award-winning beaches at Shanklin, Sandown, and Ventnor, and, of course, the Steam Railway – are popular attractions on the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight, being relatively vast among UK islands, provides a wide range of accommodations, from luxury spas to B&Bs and camping.
2. Skye
Skye is one of the biggest Scottish isles and one of the UK’s roughest and most romantic islands. Skye, the northernmost of the Inner Hebrides, is famous for its stunning mountainous landscape, foggy sky, and plentiful wildlife, all of which have long made it a popular tourist destination. Despite its popularity, Skye has a distant and expansive appeal due to its size.
Most visitors come to Skye to enjoy the breathtaking scenery and clean air. Still, there’s plenty more to do than walk, hike, and admire the view: speedboat trips around the island are an exciting way to see the sights, while those who prefer to take it a little slower can enjoy a 2-3 hour boat trip along the coast. There are also various jeep safari trips available, which provide an excellent tour of Skye on days when the weather makes outdoor activities difficult.
3. Jura
The Inner Hebrides Isle of Jura, located off the West Coast of Scotland, is one of the UK’s most pristine wilderness islands, with only 200 (human) residents. Herds of red deer, seals, and otters outnumber them by a significant amount, having chosen this breathtakingly gorgeous, mountainous island as their home. Jura, dominated by the renowned Paps of Jura, three peaks that climb into the foggy sky, is the ideal destination for those looking to escape it all. This secluded UK island’s primary draw is its animals and spectacular environment, making it one of the best islands to visit in UK.
4. The Isle of Rum
Rum is a green, diamond-shaped island in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides located on the British Isles’ West Coast and is home to just around 30 permanent people. Because of its volcanic nature, the island boasts some stunning hilly landscapes and rugged terrain, which draws many hill walkers each year. If you want a more leisurely Rum holiday, there is enough to do without pulling out the trekking boots. Kinloch Castle is a breathtakingly well-preserved Edwardian aristocratic mansion that you can visit with guided tours from April to October. Frequent boat rides around the island take place throughout the summer months. Rum is also an animal lover’s dream, with herds of wild ponies, goats, and red deer.
5. St Martin’s, Scilly Isles
St. Martin’s, in Cornwall’s sunny Scilly Isles, is a charming UK island with some of the most excellent beaches in the world. St Martin’s, a two-mile-wide peninsula with a population of just over 100 people, packs quite a punch for its small size, with a diving school, artisan bakery, a variety of eateries and tea rooms, and even its vineyard. Most people to St. Martin’s come for the lovely sandy shoreline and seashore areas, including Par beach, Great Bay, Little Bay, and the charmingly named Bread & Cheese Cove. It is an excellent choice for those seeking the elusive holy grail of untouched, uncrowded beaches that have withstood the test of time. It is one of the best islands to visit in UK.
6. Sark
Sark is one of the UK’s most minor islands, with a population of only 600 people, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in raw, rugged beauty and historical significance. The island, located just off the coast of Normandy, has its parliament and its own set of laws based on Norman law. You would not see cars on this island because of prohibition, so the only vehicles you’ll see are adapted tractors or horse-drawn carts. It makes it one of the best islands to visit in UK.
7. Anglesey
Anglesey is one of the bigger islands in the UK, with a population of about 70,000 people, and its size means there’s no shortage of activities to do during your stay. The island has something for everyone, from fantasy castles to water parks, zoos, and motorcycling circuits. Anglesey is a Welsh island off the northwest coast, and most of its shoreline has been declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
8. The Isle of Man
Anglesey is one of the bigger islands in the UK, with a population of about 70,000 people, and its size means there will be enough to do during your stay. The island has something for everyone, from fantasy castles to water parks and aquariums to motorcycle circuits. Anglesey is off the northwest coast of Wales, and most of its shoreline has been declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
9. Scilly Isles, Tresco
This offshore paradise off the coast of Cornwall is one of the most naturally beautiful islands in the UK, with immaculate white sand that rivals that of the Caribbean islands. Tresco is the only privately-owned island in the Scilly Isles, and visitors adore its laid-back demeanor and well-kept appearance.
10. The Channel Islands’ Alderney
Less well-known than its bigger siblings, Jersey and Guernsey, Alderney is one of the most scenics of the Channel Islands, with a distinct, off-the-beaten-path appeal that is worth discovering. Alderney, located off the coast of Northern France, with a population of just under 2,000 people and a microclimate that provides an excellent beach vacation alternative in the summer.
Conclusion
These are some of the best islands to visit in UK that you can explore on your next trip.Book your flight tickets with booking.com. Moreover, you can also check the official feedhour website for more such articles.