A Journey to the Edge
Britain may be one island — but it’s made up of thousands more. Over 4,000 in fact, scattered along coastlines, tucked into estuaries, or hidden behind headlands and tides. Some are tidal outcrops, others are vibrant communities. Every one has a story.
The 4,000 Isles Project is my long-term mission to explore them all. Part of this journey is my current Island82 Challenge – finding adventures on 82 of Britain’s largest islands to inspire, understand why each one is special, and to identify how we can tread more lightly and leave them in a better state.
I’m Lisa Drewe — explorer, outdoor writer, OS Champion, and founder of Islandeering. For more than 15 years, I’ve been walking, swimming, and paddleboarding my way around the UK’s wild blue edges. This isn’t about ticking off lists. It’s about connection — with place, nature, and the quiet joy of moving at the tide’s pace.
What Counts as an Island?
I include:
- Tidal islands (walkable at low tide)
- Offshore islands (reached by ferry, bridge or boat)
- Inland lake and river islands
- Inhabited and uninhabited isles
- Even former islands shaped by time and tide
If it was an island once — and has a story to tell — it belongs.
Start Exploring the Isles
Search by region to discover the islands I’ve explored so far — and plan your own:
Scotland
Outer Hebrides | Inner Hebrides | Orkney | Shetland | Firth of Clyde | Firth of Forth | North Coast | Inland Isles
England
Isles of Scilly | Cornwall | Devon | Dorset | Somerset | Hampshire | Sussex | Essex | North West | North East | Norfolk | London
Wales
Gower | Pembrokeshire | Ceredigion | North West Wales | Cardiff | Carmarthenshire | Ceredigion | Monmouthshire | Swansea | Brecon & Powys | North Wales | North East Wales
Channel Islands
Alderney | Jersey | Sark | Guernsey | Lihou | Herm
Northern Ireland
Rathlin | Copeland Island
🧭 View the Island Map & Tracker
📖 Browse Island Books & Guides
📚 Read: Explore the UK’s Most Beautiful Islands
Explore by Theme: Your Island Adventure Starts Here
Use these blog guides to dive into the UK’s most inspiring island experiences:
Best UK Islands to Visit (That Most People Miss)
Discover the best and most underrated UK islands to visit — from secret Scottish isles [...]
24
Apr
Apr
How Many Islands Are There in the UK?
Discover how many UK islands there really are — and which ones you can explore. [...]
27
Apr
Apr
What Counts as a UK Island?
Tidal? Inhabited? Remote? Learn what qualifies as a UK island and how they’re counted. Understand [...]
27
Apr
Apr
How to Visit UK Islands Without a Car
Discover how to visit beautiful UK islands without a car — using trains, ferries, and [...]
24
Apr
Apr
Discover the Magic of Tidal Islands.
These 12 circular routes offer clifftop paths, secret coves, tidal crossings, and uninterrupted views of [...]
25
Apr
Apr
Family-Friendly UK Islands: Where to Go with Kids
Discover the best UK islands for family holidays and outdoor adventures — with beaches, wildlife, [...]
27
Apr
Apr
Island Wildlife Encounters in the UK
Explore the best UK islands for wildlife spotting — from puffins to dolphins.
27
Apr
Apr
UK Islands with the Best Beaches, Views & Wild Swims
Discover the most beautiful UK islands for beaches, views, and wild swimming. Uncover hidden coves, [...]
27
Apr
Apr
Explore the UK’s Most Beautiful Islands: Adventure, Wildlife & Coastal Walks.
The British Isles is home to over 6,000 islands, each offering a unique adventure experience. [...]
24
Apr
Apr
Island Walks in the UK: 14 Circular Routes with a Sea View.
These 12 circular routes offer clifftop paths, secret coves, tidal crossings, and uninterrupted views of [...]
24
Apr
Apr
Island Paths for Curious Minds
Paths for Curious Minds is a collection of walks, paddles and swims that reveal the [...]
07
Jun
Jun
ABOUT OUR BOOKS
Over the last decade, I’ve walked around, paddled and swan to hundreds of islands and written an award-winning “Islandeering: adventures around Britains Hidden islands” which takes you on a unique adventure around the outer edge of the UK’s 50 most spectacular islands as well as “England and Wales Island Bagging” book, a complete guide to adventures on the islands of England, Wales, The Channel Islands and The Isle of Man. These have become essential companions for thousands of explorers on their own journeys.
ISLANDEERING: Adventures Around the Edge of Britains Hidden Islands
- Discover the UK’s 50 most spectacular Islands
- From Urban islets to clifftop nature reserves
- Holy Places of pilgrimage to one of the UK’s youngest Islands
ENGLAND AND WALES ISLAND BAGGING
- Explore wild Scillonian islands
- Discover part time tidal islands
- Iconic islands to quiet Essex backwater islands
- All kissed by the saline tide
Explore by Theme: Your Island Adventure Starts Here
Use these quick links to the blog guides to dive into the UK’s most inspiring island experiences:
- Explore the UK’s Most Beautiful Islands – Adventure, Wildlife and Coastal Walks
- Best UK Islands to Visit – Hidden Gems You’ll Love
- Island Walks in the UK – 12 Circular Routes with a Sea Views
- How to Visit UK Islands Without a Car
- Tidal Islands of the UK – Walkable Wonders at Low Tide
- Family-Friendly UK Islands – Where to Go with Kids
- Island Wildlife Encounters – Puffins, Seals & More
- How Many Islands Are There in the UK?
- The Ultimate Guide to Circumnavigating a UK Island – Coming Soon
- Best UK Islands for Beaches, Views & Wild Swims
- What Counts as a UK Island? Definitions & Types
How to Follow the Journey
This isn’t a race. It’s a rhythm — of tides, seasons, and discovery. Join me as I explore the UK’s island edges one wild blue place at a time:
- 📖 Read the latest stories on the blog
• 📸 Follow on Instagram: @islandeering - 📖 Read about the islands in my books
• 📬 Subscribe to Island Dispatches– Monthly newsletter (coming soon)
• 📚 New book coming soon: The Island Year
Explore slowly. Move with meaning. And let the islands lead the way.
Join our Islandeering community
We continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
