Flat Holm Island is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Bristol Channel, accessible via boat from Cardiff Barrage. It was at the barrage that we met our guide for the day, salty sea dog Gwyn Jones. Although I have named this post 'The Island of Adventure', the island has no formal connection with Enid Blyton's novel of the same name, although I am sure she would have heard of it, its long history of smuggling and its rumoured underground tunnels. Gwyn knew all of the established history - and he began his tales on board the boat, as we headed out of the barrage. Exciting in itself!
Unfortunately, it began to rain heavily as we arrived on the island and it did not cease, annoyingly, until we were back on the mainland later in the day. We didn't let it spoil our trip though. The boat dropped us on a boulder beach which we struggled across, to steps cut into the cliff. Then there was just the small matter of navigating the herring gull colony (hood up, head down, else they divebomb you to protect their chicks). We had arrived at the Visitor Centre - mainly a room to eat packed lunches in - there is no food served on the island, although it also has an incredibly small pub - just a small room in fact, as part of it! We had waterproofs and umbrellas, so as cosy as the pub was, we weren't going to let the weather have us miss out on being regaled by Gwyn. Firstly, he showed us the rare leeks growing alongside the centre - the 'original' Welsh wild leek. Next, he removed a few sheets of corrugated iron near the toilet block to reveal a native slow worm, explaining that they were far bluer here than on the mainland. Similarly the array of small snails which he pulled out are known for the clarity of their pattern.
Aside from the dramatic flora and fauna, the island has a number of fascinating historic and natural features. Its occupation began in the Bronze Age and it was an important 6th Century Christian retreat. It has the ruins of a Victorian cholera hospital, Marconi sent the first wireless signals here and, of course it was used as a defensive post in World War 2. Going way back in time, just beyond the cholera hospital is a fossilised beach, where the ripple marks are clearly visible sitting at 90 degrees to where the sea hits the shore today.
Flat Holm Island is wild and wonderful. It's a shame that more people don't know about it, although on the other hand, the site has so much wildness to it because it is little visited. We were careful, as the saying goes, to take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints.
Unfortunately, it began to rain heavily as we arrived on the island and it did not cease, annoyingly, until we were back on the mainland later in the day. We didn't let it spoil our trip though. The boat dropped us on a boulder beach which we struggled across, to steps cut into the cliff. Then there was just the small matter of navigating the herring gull colony (hood up, head down, else they divebomb you to protect their chicks). We had arrived at the Visitor Centre - mainly a room to eat packed lunches in - there is no food served on the island, although it also has an incredibly small pub - just a small room in fact, as part of it! We had waterproofs and umbrellas, so as cosy as the pub was, we weren't going to let the weather have us miss out on being regaled by Gwyn. Firstly, he showed us the rare leeks growing alongside the centre - the 'original' Welsh wild leek. Next, he removed a few sheets of corrugated iron near the toilet block to reveal a native slow worm, explaining that they were far bluer here than on the mainland. Similarly the array of small snails which he pulled out are known for the clarity of their pattern.
Aside from the dramatic flora and fauna, the island has a number of fascinating historic and natural features. Its occupation began in the Bronze Age and it was an important 6th Century Christian retreat. It has the ruins of a Victorian cholera hospital, Marconi sent the first wireless signals here and, of course it was used as a defensive post in World War 2. Going way back in time, just beyond the cholera hospital is a fossilised beach, where the ripple marks are clearly visible sitting at 90 degrees to where the sea hits the shore today.
Flat Holm Island is wild and wonderful. It's a shame that more people don't know about it, although on the other hand, the site has so much wildness to it because it is little visited. We were careful, as the saying goes, to take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints.