Islands
There’s something romantic about owning and living on your own private island – few achieve it. We are an island race in the United Kingdom and naturally drawn to the water. Whilst the islands off the mainland are mostly in Scotland many lie around the English, Welsh and Northern Ireland coastlines. Whilst the total number is in the thousands there are just over two hundred inhabited from the Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly to tiny islands within the lochs of Scotland.
Living an island life is a way of life - The Orkneys and Outer Hebrides, for instance, where you need to be self-sufficient mentally and practically as far as possible is a lifestyle in many ways at odds with the 21st century pace of life and envied by many but only for the strong hearted -not the romantic.
So many of the islands are home to the best beaches = Vatersay, connected to Barra Island in the Outer Hebrides: Priory Bay, The Isle of Wight , accessed via woodland board walk: Church Bay, Anglesey, North Wales in The Irish Sea: Lindisfarne, Holy Island, Northumberland in The North Sea: the scattered archipelago of the Isles of Scilly – the warmest climate of all where The Atlantic Ocean joins The English Channel: I could go on and on as each and every one has an individual beauty.
Where habitation is still evident the homes on these islands are now often second homes and mostly are true to the vernacular of the region. Island living has its own dimension and whilst modern technology has opened many places to remote living it still needs to work for daily life – so often incomers find it hard to adapt even living on larger islands like Jersey but for those that embrace it life can be very special.
Holmes House, Isle of Wight: Substantial 10 bedroom secluded beach front trophy house in 5 acres looking over Colwell Bay, Christchurch Bay to The Solent with equestrian facilities – a rare waterfront combination: www.spencewillard.co.uk 01983 761105
Hawthorne House, Isle of Lismore: Traditional 3 bedroom stone cottage with stunning countryside views set in mature walled gardens, just a ferry trip from Oban- great family home or holiday retreat: www.bellingram.co.uk 01631 566122
Tan-Y-Fford, Anglesey: Stunning setting for this unique direct water frontage house. Views across the Menai Straits to the Snowdonia Mountain Range. It really has the unexpected “wow” factor and further potential. www.cheshirelamont.co.uk 01828 730700
Creating the living environment that works for individuals and families as life progresses can be challenging – life’s requirements change as time goes by. The focal point should be the secure space created in the home- go with the heart and enjoy - “It’s all about coming home.”