10 idyllic car-free British islands

Looking to get off-grid in Britain? These are 10 of the best car-free islands for a stress-free break from modern life.

1. Happy hideaway on Rona

Castaway life is easier to bear when it includes a cosy, well-equipped cottage with wood-burning stove and underfloor heating. Three shoreside properties are available to rent on the rugged island of South Rona, near Skye on Scotland’s west coast. A couple of island vehicles transfer luggage along the track that leads from the pier to the cottages but guests must leave cars in Skye’s capital, Portree.

Seascape and Skyescape (sleeping two) from ￡575, Escape (sleeping four) from ￡695, on a self-catering basis, for seven nights. Isle of Rona (isleofrona.com). 

2. Skomer farmhouse

Skomer has spectacular cliff-edged scenery and even more spectacular wildlife – including puffins, shearwaters, grey seals, dolphins, porpoises and the native Skomer vole. Just under a mile off the Pembrokeshire coast, it is reached via a passenger ferry carrying up to 250 foot passengers per day – but no cars. For a real taste of tranquillity, stay in the Old Farm, which provides simple bedrooms for up to 14 people and use of a shared kitchen.

Old Farm from ￡30 per person, per night, on a self-catering basis. The return ferry fare costs ￡11 (adult), ￡7 (child aged one-15 years). The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (welshwildlife.org). 

3. Folk tales on Easdale

There’s more to the tiny island of Easdale on Scotland’s west coast than alluring wildlife and sea views – though it has both. And it has history too – from the mid-17th century to the early 20th, it was home to a thriving slate industry and the local Folk Museum relates the story. The passenger ferry that operates from neighbouring Seil Island is particularly busy in September when Easdale’s World Stone Skimming Championships take place.

An Rubha and Chattan Cottages (each sleeps six) from ￡180 for a two-night stay, self-catering. Easdale Experiences (easdale-experiences.com).

4. Tremendous Tresco B&B

Bicycles, golf buggies, and the odd tractor are the alternatives to walking on the beach-fringed island of Tresco, 30 miles (48km) off the western tip of Cornwall in the Isles of Scilly. Barely more than a square mile in size, this island is best known for its subtropical Abbey Garden, but there are also 16th-century remains to explore, including the Old Blockhouse and King Charles’s Castle.

The New Inn from ￡120 per night, B&B, based on two people sharing a standard room or from ￡295 per night, room only, for a one-bedroom sea garden cottage with self-catering facilities. Tresco Island (tresco.co.uk).

5. Landmark on Lundy

Too much solitude isn’t to everyone’s taste and, despite its small size, this island in the Bristol Channel has something of a holiday community in its 24 rental properties, which include an old schoolhouse and castle keep. Day-trippers come from Bideford or Ilfracombe to walk and birdwatch on Lundy’s car-free shores throughout the summer months, but in the evenings it’s incredibly peaceful.

Castle Keep North (sleeping two) from ￡200 for seven nights, self-catering. Return ferry crossing ￡70 (adult), ￡36 (under 16s), ￡15 (under fours). Landing fee ￡6 (free for National Trust members). Optional luggage transfer service (￡3 per bag, minimum ￡10). Landmark Trust (landmarktrust.org.uk). 

6. Monkey Island Spa

This private island in the Thames near Bray in Berkshire was originally used as an angling retreat by the third Duke of Marlborough from 1723. This spring, a new 41-room spa hotel will be opening instead. Guests leave their cars in a hotel car park on the riverbank before crossing a footbridge on to the seven-acre island. The hotel’s floating spa, which is housed on a barge moored on the island’s shores, has three treatment rooms.

Monkey Island Estate from ￡275 per night, room only, based on two people sharing a Temple room in the main house (monkeyislandestate.co.uk).

7. Simplicity on Bardsey

For a taste of the simplest possible island living – without cars, electricity, flushing lavatories or hot running water – head to Bardsey. Two miles off the Ll?n Peninsula in North Wales, it has nine grade II listed farmhouses and outbuildings (sleeping two to eight people) let out by a charitable trust that owns this remote 440-acre site. A passenger ferry makes the 20-minute crossing from Porth Meudwy cove and Bardsey is the final stop on the 130-mile (210km) North Wales Pilgrims Way.

Llofft Nant (sleeping two) from ￡270 per week, self-catering. Return ferry crossing ￡40. Bardsey Island Trust (bardsey.org). 

8. Rustic Skokholm

Not for the faint-hearted, Skomer’s car-free sister island, Skokholm – also managed by the Wales Wildlife Trust – is a place to experience real off-grid living. There are no day-trippers here, but up to 20 hardy visitors can stay in an 18th-century farm cottage, converted cow sheds and a wheelhouse block. Compost lavatories and solar-powered lighting are provided, but there are no showers or heating. An island shop sells basic provisions.

Farm accommodation from ￡110 per person for a minimum stay of three nights, on a self-catering basis. The return ferry fare costs ￡27.50. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (welshwildlife.org).

9. Sophistication on Burgh Island

Luxury-lovers who want to experience castaway life without roughing it can book into the long-established art deco hotel on 26-acre Burgh Island, on the south Devon coast. Guests’ cars are parked in mainland garages at nearby Bigbury-on-Sea, 275yd away, and high tide transfers are provided in a specially designed tractor that transports people and luggage across the submerged sand. Island activities include walking, sea-bathing and a variety of watersports.

Burgh Island Hotel from ￡290, B&B, or ￡440, half-board, per night, based on two people sharing a small double (burghisland.com).

10. Shells and bays on Herm

Quad bikes and tractors are permitted on the tiny Channel Island of Herm, but no cars. Barely a mile and a half long by half a mile wide (2.4km by 0.8km), it is a 20-minute ferry crossing across the strait from St Peter Port Harbour in neighbouring Guernsey. There are some idyllic strands along Herm’s north and east coasts – including Shell Beach, which has low-tide rock pools, and sheltered Belvoir Bay with views of nearby islands.

White House Hotel from ￡107 per person per night, half-board, sharing a sea view or garden cottage room. (herm.com).