Lundy island, lying north and south, acts as a gigantic Breakwater
during the prevalent westerly winter gales. In bad weather over a
hundred vessels have anchored at the same time in Lundy Roads.
Lundy is a huge rock of granite just over 3 miles long, and about mile
broad, with cliffs rising almost perpendicularly from the sea to a
height of from 400 to 500 feet. The total area is 1,044 acres. The
present owner is Mr. M. C. Harman, who purchased the property in 1925.
The soil is light, and only a small part of the island is under
cultivation, but about a quarter of the area is permanent pasture, sheep
and cattle being reared, while the rest is moorland. Lobsters are caught
in large quantities.
Fresh water is supplied in abundance by the springs. Snow and ice are
practically unknown.
Botanically Lundy is of great interest, wild flowers growing in great
number and variety.
Brassicella Wrightii, named after its discoverer, Dr. Elliston Wright
of Braunton, is a plant found nowhere else in the world, and it is
supposed to be the ancestor of all the brassicella (cabbage) on the
mainland. The fauna, too, is remarkable.
Rat Island, an island of about an acre situated off the southeast point,
was for many years one of the few remaining strongholds of the black
rat, and is also the home of trapdoor spiders, found nowhere else in or
round the United Kingdom.
Rabbits are believed to have been introduced to England from Lundy, the
first documentary reference dating from about AD1200. Ponies of an
excellent type are numerous, and also red, Japanese and fallow deer, and
wild goats. Seals breed on and are frequently seen in great numbers near
Lundy, and one small cove is known as the Seals’ Hole. The birds, past
and present, are intensely interesting. The late Major C. Noel Clarke,
who carried out extensive research into the history of the Great Auk,
stated that Lundy was its last authoritative breeding place (1841).
The proprietor has instituted very strict measures to preserve the many
rare birds which nest in the island at the present time, the peregrine
falcon, cormorant, puffin and oyster-catcher, regarded as rarities in
other parts of the British Isles, being common on Lundy. There are no
snakes, frogs or toads on the island, tradition crediting St. Patrick
with having stayed there en route for Ireland.
In a cliff at the south-west corner there is a curious funnel-shaped
cavity, about 370 feet deep, called the Devil’s Lime Kiln, at the bottom
of which are two small passages leading to the sea. Close at hand is a
huge conical-shaped rock called Shutter Rock, near which the battleship
Montagu. practically a new vessel, was wrecked in 1906, a loss to the
country of nearly £2,000,000. The rock is referred to in Westward Ho!
Lying off the north end of Lundy is a cluster of rocks called the Hen
and Chickens. Vessels give these a wide berth.
In the same neighbourhood, but on the island, is the Constable Rook. On
the east side is the Templar Rock, which bears a marvellous resemblance
to the human face.
North Devon Static Self Catering Holidays, Ideal for family self-catering holidays all year round, some allow pets, weekends, half term or just a short break !
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- Cosy properties in delightful settings,
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