About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe 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.
About Steep Holm
Tens of thousands of visitors to the Somerset coast see Steep Holm Island on the horizon, yet few ever make the journey to discover this extraordinary uninhabited, wildlife and history-packed gem. Its limestone flanks rise steeply from the Bristol Channel to reach a high point of seventy-eight metres, eight kilometres west of Weston-Super-Mare.
Managed by the devoted trustees of the Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust, set up in the memory of the broadcaster and environmentalist, it is an important nature reserve and showcases an array of military history. First settled in the Iron Age, later the island had a Roman lookout post and an Augustinian priory; its strategic position finally led to its fortification from Victorian times through to World Wars I and II.
Today, Steep Holm is packed with underground ammunition stores, signal stations, watchtowers and gun batteries – many of which are located precariously down the cliffs. Wildlife has colonised the old buildings with around two thousand gulls nesting between April and August; the rare Mediterranean wild peony thrives on the island and muntjac deer and giant slow worms are readily spotted by the eagle-eyed. There are incredible views throughout of the English and Welsh coastlines of the Bristol Channel.
Highlights of Steep Holm Island
- Coastal walk around Steep Holm Island
- Finding the Culvert spiders in Split Rock Battery underground stores
- Seeking out the rare wild peonies unique to the island
- Panoramic views of the Somerset and Welsh coastlines
- Thrilling RIB ride to Steep Holm Island
How to get to Steep Holm Island
Steep Holm ferries depart from Weston-super-Mare and Cardiff with Bay Island Voyages. https://www.steepholm.online/sailings2 Sailings can be cancelled at short notice because of the weather, even on a nice day on the mainland. Cost is £45 per person. On arrival access to the island’s plateau is via a steep path from the beach. Due to huge tidal ranges in the Bristol Channel, the Steep Holm ferry can only arrive and depart at certain states of the tide – which leaves you about 12 hours on the island.
Are there facilities on Steep Holm Island
There is a visitor centre in the barracks building with an exhibition, hot and cold drinks, beer and home-made cakes – all run by the Steep Holm Island trustees. Toilets are also available on Steep Holm Island.
What to do on Steep Holm Island
There is a fantastic 2km circular walk around Steep Holm Island passing all of its military highlights and wildlife with panoramic views of Somerset, the Welsh Coast, the Quantock Hills and the whole of the Bristol Channel. The route stays on the island’s plateau with an optional descent to South Landing to rock hop around the cliff base to East Beach and Goose Neck Spit at low tide (accessible only outside of bird nesting season).
Starting from Landing Beach the route climbs Zig Zag Path, past the ruins of Cliff Cottage and inn to the island’s plateau then heads directly to the Barracks Visitor Centre for refreshments. It continues to Split Rock Battery, Rudder Rock Battery and the Searchlight Post that sits on dramatic sea arches. Along the north coast the path ascends steeply to Summit Battery and on to Laboratory Battery and Tombstone Battery to Garden Battery. Check out the Islandeering Tab.
With 12 hours on the island, it is also fun to go searching for the culvert spider in Steep Holm’s military bunkers. These large spiders, described scientifically as is a ‘long-jawed orb-weaving spider’, suspend their eggs in large white ‘cotton-wool’ sacks from the ceilings of the underground ammunition stores. They hang eerily and silently and can be picked up by torchlight. The adult spiders shy away from the light, but young spiders are attracted to it. They are shiny, satin black and are one of the largest spiders found in the UK with adults having a leg span of around five centimetres and a body length of fifteen millimetres. Despite their fearsome look they are known as ‘gentle giants’.
Are dogs allowed on Steep Holm Island?
No, other than assistance dogs.
Long-jawed orb-weaving spider
Steep Holm Walking Route
An exhilarating rib ride away from Weston Super Mare this steep-sided island is packed with [...]
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