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 Located
just five miles off the coast of Barry and Cardiff, Flat Holm is a
tiny island with a wealth of history and wildlife (especially
Gulls!). Having been used and abused throughout its history by
Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, silver miners, smugglers and cholera victims,
the island is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Local
Nature Reserve. The Flat Holm Project is now part of Cardiff County
Council, and operates to conserve the history and wildlife of Flat Holm.
 Access
to the island is via the Lewis Alexander (also known as
"Brownie's Bus") which runs between Channel View in Cardiff
and Flat Holm, weather permitting! The boat carries up to 45
passengers plus essential supplies to the island.
There are a variety of buildings on Flat Holm, including the
Farmhouse, now modernised and providing dormitory accommodation for
up to 24 people. This is usually on a self catering basis. The
farmhouse also hosts the small "shop", which sells a small
range of sweets and souvenirs, plus tea and coffee.
Classroom facilities are available in the old Barrack building. The
lighthouse is still operational (and normally closed to visitors),
and the old foghorn has recently been restored to working condition
by the work of the Flat Holm Society, with grant aid from Prince's
Trust Cymru, and the huge diaphone machinery is now able to be
sounded on special occasions.
 The
old Cholera isolation hospital is still derelict, and there are no
current plans to restore this.
There are also a variety of gun emplacements and ammunition storage
tunnels to explore - take a torch!
A day trip to Flat Holm normally gives you three hours on the island,
where guided tours are provided. Scheduled visits run from April to
October and booking in advance is usually required. Trips depart from
Channel View in Cardiff, and car parking is available here.
Nearly half the island is devoted to the wildlife - many of which are
gulls! Big Gulls, little gulls, walking gulls, flying gulls, nesting
gulls, baby gulls, grumpy mother gulls... there are a LOT of gulls!
The noise is amazing, and if you wake one up at night, you've woken
them all! There are also rabbits, two goats (used as heavy duty
lawnmowers), a small flock of sheep (light duty mowers), slow worms,
and apparently a wild tortoise called George.
Larger groups (20 or more) may wish to book their own visit, possibly
staying for a night (or two) at the Farmhouse on the island. For
working groups there are always a variety of practical conservation
tasks to be performed, and much of the restoration on the island has
been done with the valued assistance of school and youth groups.
All visits are dependent on weather and sea conditions and may be
cancelled, sometimes at short notice. The boat trip is unsuitable for
toddlers under the age of five. If you have special requirements, the
Project will be happy to discuss them with you.
The Flat Holm Society is a voluntary group that assists the project
in many aspects of its work. The Project Office can provide more
information about the Society.
Bookings and Information
To find out more about what flat holm has to offer, or to organise
a visit, please contact:
Tel: 029 20 877912
Fax: 029 20877901
email: flatholmproject@cardiff.gov.uk
Website: www.flatholmisland.com
2010 Prices: Adults £16.50, Children £8.00 (4-17 years),
Family Ticket (2 Adults 2 Children) £41.50
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All photographs (above and below) may be viewed full size by clicking
on them - use the "Back" button on your browser to return. |
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Trips are dependent on suitable weather and sea conditions! |
The old barracks (now a classroom) and the light house |
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Lunch at the farmhouse for a group of Scouts undertaking project work. |
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Pictured left, on the horizon are the Old Barracks and the
light house, and nearer this side of the island, the Farmhouse and
the derelict isolation hospital |
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