Flat Holm Walk

0.6 miles (1 km)

Flat Holm Island, known in Welsh as Ynys Echni, is a small island in the Bristol Channel, approximately 6 km (4 miles) from Lavernock Point in the Vale of Glamorgan. The island covers an area of about 0.35 km� (0.14 square miles) and reaches a height of 32 meters (105 feet) above sea level. There are some fine walking trails to follow around the island with splendid coastal views.
Visitors can also explore the island's rich history, which dates back to at least the Bronze Age. Notable historical sites include the remains of a cholera isolation hospital built in 1896 and gun emplacements from the 1860s, known as Flat Holm Battery, constructed due to the island's strategic position near the ports of Bristol and Cardiff.
The island is also home to a variety of flora and fauna. Its vegetation includes maritime grassland and heath, supporting species such as wild leek and rock sea-lavender. Birdlife is abundant, with colonies of lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls, among others.
Access to Flat Holm is typically by boat from Cardiff, with trips subject to weather conditions. Visitors are advised to check sailing times and ensure they have appropriate clothing and supplies, as facilities on the island are limited. For more island walking head north west to visit Sully Island.