An ode to British island idyll

To the traveller yearning for escapism, islands beckon. Geographically separated from the demands of daily life on the mainland, it feels easy to *actually* switch off. Time is no object here. There's solitude, sand between the toes and life's simple pleasures. But what of us who don’t want to jet off to the Bahamas or traverse the far corners of the continent?

Living in the UK, I’ll admit that it often slips my mind that ‘British Isles’ is a geographical term that references an archipelago of over 6,000 islands, many of which are sorely overlooked. But from the bonny Hebrides to the subtropical Isles of Scilly, the lush landscapes of Anglesey to the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the UK’s myriad islands offer a vast diversity of landscape, wildlife, history and culture, with the sweet taste of island escapism that’s within arm’s reach.

Of course, the UK doesn’t promise heat (or even sun). But if I can dip my toe in salty water, taste the sea in fresh crab, and feel the pang of freedom as I watch the mainland disappear on the horizon—consider me a willing castaway.

The Isles of Scilly

A slice of the Maldives can be found just off the Cornish Coast on the subtropical Isles of Scilly. A coveted secret amongst islomaniacs, those in the know book years in advance to secure a stay on one of the five inhabited islands — and it’s a fair price for the bliss of true remoteness. But, in case you missed the memo, Byway has secured exclusive availability at the sought-after Bell Rock Hotel for select weekends in August 2024.

The Isle of Arran

Cradled by the Firth of Clyde, Arran is one of Scotland's more accessible islands, with a convenient sailing from Ardrossan that’s less than an hour. ‘Scotland in miniature’ is aptly used to describe Arran, where beaches, coves, mountains, waterfalls, castles and distilleries meet. There's the Sleeping Warrior mountains for hiking, Brodick Bay for splashing in the shallows and the wee village of Brodick, overlooked by the castle and the looming peak of Goatfell. For sprawling sand, try Strabane, Sannox, Pirnmill, Blackwaterfoot, Kilmory, or Kildonan, also known as ‘silver sands’.

Guernsey

Gone is Guernsey's outdated image as a sleepy tax haven. In recent years, the island’s wildlife has made it a coveted spot for swimmers, hikers and twitchers. So dust off a pair of binoculars. Ditch the wetsuit and go straight for an optimistic swimsuit. And who said you had to go to Greece to Island hop? Don't miss the unique experience of hopping across the smaller islands, each with their own distinct personality. There’s the island of Lihou, accessible via a cobbled causeway that can be walked across when the tide is low, Sark, the world’s first dark skies island with its star-gazing observatory, along with Alderney, Jethou, Brecqhou and the teeny tiny island of Herm.

Anglesey

For island seekers without sea legs, try Anglesey, accessible via the Menai Strait suspension bridge — no sailing required. Get familiar with the Welsh island along the Coastal Path that passes the South Stack Lighthouse, the Aberffraw dunes and ruins steeped in Celtic folklore. And after? Freshly caught lobster from Anglesey’s renowned Lobster Pot pairs perfectly with the botanicals of the Llanfairpwll Distillery Anglesey Gin.

The Isle of Skye

There's a quiet drama to the Hebridean Islands. For those who'd pick Munros and glens over tropical clichés, the Isle of Skye offers a different kind of peace: freshwater swimming (think invigorating rather than tropical), rare wildlife, and mountain landscapes that make the world feel big and life’s problems smaller. The ultimate reset.