What to do on Lundy Island

What to do on Lundy Island

Welcome to Lundy Island, a serene haven off the coast of Devon, renowned for its rugged beauty and diverse wildlife. Whether you’re a hiker, nature enthusiast, history buff, or simply seeking peace, Lundy offers an array of activities. Explore its scenic walking trails, marvel at the historic lighthouse, or spot rare seabirds in their natural habitat. Dive into the clear waters for an exhilarating snorkeling experience, or unwind at the charming Marisco Tavern with a local ale. Join us as we uncover the best things to do on Lundy Island, promising an adventure-filled escape from the hustle of everyday life. Here are our favourite things to do on Lundy Island.

Rockpooling

Between Lundy and Rat Island, Devil’s Kitchen is one of the richest places in Britain for exploration of the seashore. Here, the slate bedrock has been worn away to form a series of rockpools and gullies bursting with marine life. Here you’ll find brown, red and green seaweeds; barnacles and limpets; and beadlet, strawberry, and snakelocks anemone. Turning over small rocks also often reveals shore crabs, cushion starfish, pipefish, gobies, and blennies as well as jewel anemone, sea squirts and clingfish. The lucky may spot a Lundy special – the nationally scarce scarlet and gold star corals. The island’s wardens lead Rockpool Rambles to Devil’s Kitchen and Snorkel Safaris in the shallow waters of Landing Bay.

Puffins Lundy Island and seabirds galore

The island’s plateau of grass and heath is a haven for resident and migrant birds, while the rugged coastline supports some of the largest seabird colonies in Southern England. Spring (March to June) and autumn (August to November) are the periods of greatest interest for birdwatchers when thousands of migrant birds land on the island. Up to thirty-five bird species nest here during the spring season. Lundy is one of the best places in England to see puffins, the largest concentrations being around Jenny’s Cove and St Peter’s Stone on the western coast. The best time of year to see the Lundy puffins is April to July. Breeding guillemots, kittiwakes, Manx shearwaters and razorbills are equally abundant. Inland, skylarks are regularly spotted along with water rail in the wetter areas. With around 140 species recorded on Lundy each year, there’s always something to be seen whether you’re on a day trip or staying longer.

Swim with seals in Lundy Island

The island has its own resident population of around 200 grey seals that can be seen all around Lundy hauled out on the rocks at low tide. Gannets’ Bay is a popular spot for divers and snorkelers and curious seals can often be spotted nipping the fins of divers and playing in the water. Bookings can be made through mainland boat trip operators, including Ilfracombe Sea Safari. https://www.ilfracombeseasafari.co.uk/activities/swim-with-the-seals-at-lundy-island/book-now

Warden-led snorkel safari

Experience the vibrant underwater world of Lundy, a haven for marine life including curious grey seals, beautiful cup corals and magnificent kelp forests in this, Britain’s first Marine Nature Reserve, Marine Conservation Zone and No Take Zone. The Landmark Trust’s

warden-led Snorkel Safari programme provides an amazing insight into Lundy’s magnificent world below the waves. Under the supervision of an experienced guide, you will explore the rich waters of the Landing Bay, observing species such as spider crab, ballan wrasse and anemones in their natural habitat. Each session lasts one hour and is suitable for beginners through to experienced snorkelers and include wetsuit and snorkel gear hire. https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/lundyisland/discovering-lundy/activities/wardenledevents/wardenledevents-snorkelsafaris/

While away an evening in the Marisco Tavern

The Marisco Tavern is a proper pub with excellent locally-brewed ales, food served all day, piles of board games and a dartboard. Originally the pub was in the old village stores built during the 1860s when the quarrying operation employed around 300 men and needed a ‘refreshment room’. In the early 1980s the pub was redeveloped by the Landmark Trust and the bar moved into the former residence of islander Felix Gade. Today the pub provides a restaurant and social hub for island staff and guests and is a magnet for day-trippers wanting a pint of Dutch courage before they return to mainland on the MS Oldenburg. It’s the only building on the island to have lighting after the generators shut down for the night with any walk back to lodgings illuminated by the starry canopy that shines so brightly away from light pollution.

Find the Lundy Letterboxes

A kind of treasure trail across the whole island with twenty-seven hidden letterboxes which can be found by following a set of clues. Each box contains a rubber stamp that is unique to its box and the objective is to discover all of the boxes and collect the stamps, including the elusive ‘Lundy Bunny’ which is a movable stamp. Letterbox packs are available to purchase from the shop, and compasses available for hire should you not have one. It is fun for adults and children alike.

Climb some tough routes

Some of the best climbing in the British Isles can be found on Lundy, the majority of which is located on the west coast between Old Light and Threequarter Wall. The immaculate granite cliffs of Lundy, some up to 120 metres high, provide over 1,000 documented routes. When high winds or big seas make climbing on the west coast impossible, there are good climbs on Halfway Buttress on the east coast, around the obvious Logan Stone. Iconic Lundy climbs include Satan’s Slip, Albion and The Devil’s Slide – 300 metres of pristine granite which sweeps down into the ocean and one of the UK’s most famous slab climbs. To avoid disturbing nesting seabirds, access restrictions on some routes generally apply between the end of March and August.

Lundy coast path

The fourteen-kilometre circular coast path can be completed in a day trip from the mainland and is mostly well off the beaten track. With its starkly contrasting coastlines and views to the Gower Peninsula and Exmoor, this is the best way to get a real feel for Lundy. The route starts at the pier at The Landing Beach and heads north along the gentle slope of the east coast. The only buildings along this stretch are the restored buildings of the Lundy Granite Company. Further north, spectacular rock formations lead to Gannets’ Bay from where there is a steep ascent to the plateau at the north end of the island. The North Lighthouse makes for an exhilarating detour down steep stone steps and across two iron bridges. Walking south down the western coast, the precipitous cliffs are home to some of the UK’s most iconic sea cliff climbs and the island’s hotspots for seabird watching. Slightly inland the geological feature known as the Earthquake is formed from two deep fissures in the rock with several deep chasms which are great to explore. Towards the island’s south-west tip the Old Light, on the highest base for a lighthouse in Britain, is a good place to climb up the cantilevered staircase to enjoy the views of the whole island from the deckchairs in the glazed lantern gallery. Along the south coast you can find a smugglers’ cave and the ruins of Marisco Castle before arriving at the village. Check out the Islandeering route tab for full route details.

Rat Island

Accessed at low tide from the coast path in the south-east corner of Lundy, this tiny island offers an atmospheric walk through its subterranean tunnel. The island’s high point of thirty-four metres can be reached from the rocks on its south side and heading towards South Light. The short scramble is well worth it for views of Barnstaple Bay and the east coast of Lundy and the possibility of spotting dolphins in the water. Not to be attempted if seals are on the access beach.

Overall, a day trip to Lundy is possible but there is so much to see and do that we’d recommend staying over a few nights to explore more of this extraordinary place.

Paddleboarding South West