Flat Holm Island

Taking a boat from Cardiff Bay, you first have to negotiate the barrage locks, then you may need to hold on.   The water can be 'a little choppy.'    Five miles out lies the small island of Flat Holm.  Rich in history and wildlife.

Arriving at Flatholm

Visitors have to book to travel to the island, and you sit alongside supplies.   The day before our trip the boat had been carrying livestock.

Depending on the time of year, you are advised to wear a hat, not just to protect you from the winds and weather, but from nesting birds who can be quite angry at people invading their space and possibly threatening their young.  

In September we saw herring gulls and a few crows, but not much more.   Thousands of birds use the island every year.

After a short steep climb from the shore, you are confronted with a mostly flat island with short grass and scrubby bushes.  (It is called FLAT Holm).    A wooden barrier protects a local peony from being trampled by local wildlife and visitors.   The plant is descended from those brought to the island in the nineteenth century.

An allium, a member of the onion family, also grows here.  It is unique to Flatholm and is protected.    (If you feel you want an allium in your garden at home, similar bulbs can be bought quite easily from garden centres.)


Scattered around the landscape appears to be scraps of litter.   They are 'treasures,' brought by the birds from the mainland;  silver paper, strips of plastic, bottle tops and bones - sometimes quite large bones.

Ushered into a building similar to an old school we received a brief talk about the history of the island and the efforts being taken to preserve and maintain it.   Including restricting loo flushes to save precious water.

Monks lived on Flat Holm since the Dark Ages.   Vikings and Anglo-Saxons built their homes here.   Silver miners and smugglers add to the story.    It was fortified by the Victorians and again in World War II.   The first ever radio message across water was transmitted by Marconi in 1897 to Flat Holm.

Remains of the cholera hospital

I can only imagine the thoughts of cholera patients, not only being diagnosed with the terrible disease, but then being shipped to the island for isolation. They had plenty of fresh air if nothing else.

Transporting the materials to erect the building must have been difficult with such a small landing stage.







Paths zigzag across the island.   We are shown an abandoned circular gun emplacement and two large gun barrels from Victorian times.   A machine gun emplacement from WWII has what appears to be a goal post right next to it.  This was a guide for unwary gunners.   To prevent them inflicting home goals.

As you follow the winding pathways, you find  evidence of hours and hours of hard work mostly by people now long dead, trying to make a living, experimenting, or even in an effort to protect these islands from a perceived enemy.

The fog horn is no longer in use, but can still be viewed.   As can a small museum of items from the islands past.

From childhood I have looked across at Flat Holm and tried to imagine what it would be like.   I never imagined the history it holds.   The wardens who stay there are very fortunate.   In their spare time they are able to  explore.

To book your visit go to:  http://www.flatholmisland.com/