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Lundy Island
Take a drive to Bideford Bay (unless you’re lucky enough to live there). If you stand and look out to sea, on a clear day you can see Lundy Island.
The biggest island in the Bristol Channel; Lundy is a magical place, unspoilt by man and a welcome retreat for visitors from the mainland. A world apart from the modern life we know, you may well find yourself returning year after year to experience its simple pleasures.
Predominantly granite, the island lies North to South just twelve miles off the North Devon coast. In 2005 it was voted by Radio Times the 10th greatest natural wonder. Having been inhabited for around three thousand years Lundy is steeped in history. It has been home to Vikings, Normans and Pirates and had its own coinage and stamps, many bearing an image of the famous Lundy puffin. In Norsk language ‘Lundy’ means Puffin Island. Nowadays it is managed by the Landmark Trust on behalf of the National Trust. You can still buy Lundy stamps when you visit the island.
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Lundy stamps
Because of its position the west coast bears the brunt of the prevailing south westerly winds whilst the east coast is more sheltered. These opposing weather fronts inevitably create variations in the wildlife population and sparse vegetation on opposite sides of the island. The south east side of the island is home to the Lundy Cabbage. It grows on the bare slate and granite cliffs where its bright yellow flowers can be seen in summer. Unique to Lundy this plant is in danger of extinction following the introduction of the rhododendron to the island in the 19th century. The rhododendron now dominates the cliffs where the Lundy cabbage once thrived. Volunteers have been working to prevent the loss of the Lundy cabbage in their ‘Rhody bashing’ events active in recent years.
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Lundy Cabbage
Much of Lundy has been designated as a site of special scientific interest, and the seas that surround it were officially the first marine conservation zone in England. It is a regular haunt for archaeologists, geologists, marine biologists, bird lovers and many more enthusiasts and specialists.
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Lundy Puffin
Puffins and Shearwater have been driven from their annual breeding ground on Lundy in recent years by an unusually high population of grey rats who were burrowing deep into their nests and eating their eggs but the rats have since been eradicated and numbers of nesting birds are now on the increase and are being carefully monitored.
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The Old Light
On the north side of the island is the ‘old light’, which was built in 1819. It is 96ft high and has 147 steps to get to the top. Many of the buildings on the island have been renovated; most recently by the Landmark Trust, and are now used as accommodation for holiday lets and short breaks. Once seen, Lundy is never forgotten. Check out their website for more details. You can book a holiday, a short break or a day trip to Lundy via the Lundy Island website http://www.lundyisland.co.uk/ Next week…. The Lundy pony and a day trip I’ve never forgotten.
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