First report - and I wasn't sure what to put this under. There's a medieval site, a Victorian Inn, and it's also a nature reserve now, but I suppose with the defences there, it's mainly military. Please excuse the pics too - I didn't take them planning a report, so most had my nipper in them. I borrowed a couple so hopefully you'll get an idea.
The Day:
Access is a cinch as the only way without your own boat right now is to get a lift with the Kenneth Allsop Trust. Out on one tide and back on the next, so we had 12 hrs from 7:30am to explore - And that is exactly what you do. Don't worry - no health and safety here. There are a few volunteers who open a cafe and the loos, but they stay there and you have the whole 48 acre island to yourself (the odd fellow visitor here and there).
When you get off the boat it's HUGE - Like arriving at Jurrasic Park - And that was how I described a lot of it, as it's just been left since WW2 really. And the seagull chicks had hatched so there were swarms of parents circling above. WEAR CLOTHES YOU DON'T MIND BEING CRAPPED ON. Anyway - we were straight off and soon found the island is circled with 6 gun batteries which still have magazines you can go inside. All the Victorian 7 ton guns are around too as they were to awkward to remove. There are spotlight posts too. a few of which you get to down steps without handrails and sheer drops. A bit slippery but safe. It's quite a high island too and a fair climb from the drop off up to the now converted barracks. You can arrange a visit here : https://www.steepholm.org.uk/sailings-and-message-board/
History:
The far tip of the Mendips, the Romans and Vikings used Steep Holm as a beacon and hideout, and then there was a small medieval priory. St Gildas apparently lived there as a hermit before that in the Dark Ages, where he wrote some of the history of the country, but there's little evidence. The Victorians then used what was left of the priory to help build the first defences in the Palmerston Fort Era, then in WW1 and II mainly, the defences were "upgraded" in the uglier concrete Lego look. There were a few residents and cottages too, and an Inn where Sunday drinkers would flock to escape the Sunday licensing laws. Then in the 70's (ish) - After being forgotten and left for nature, the Kenneth Allsop Trust made plans and ended up getting the whole place to promote as a wildlife sanctuary.
Not mine
Or this
Victorian 7 ton gun. There are quite a few.
Have to watch out for these little guys - they were everywhere! - With mum and dad above..
...and I got dive bombed with a direct hit.
Cave spiders in the magazines...
The Victorian Inn
There were over 200 steps down to a spot light station.
The boat to pick us up. You can get 10 people on board - including the island's volunteers, so apart from them, it's pretty lonely.
The Day:
Access is a cinch as the only way without your own boat right now is to get a lift with the Kenneth Allsop Trust. Out on one tide and back on the next, so we had 12 hrs from 7:30am to explore - And that is exactly what you do. Don't worry - no health and safety here. There are a few volunteers who open a cafe and the loos, but they stay there and you have the whole 48 acre island to yourself (the odd fellow visitor here and there).
When you get off the boat it's HUGE - Like arriving at Jurrasic Park - And that was how I described a lot of it, as it's just been left since WW2 really. And the seagull chicks had hatched so there were swarms of parents circling above. WEAR CLOTHES YOU DON'T MIND BEING CRAPPED ON. Anyway - we were straight off and soon found the island is circled with 6 gun batteries which still have magazines you can go inside. All the Victorian 7 ton guns are around too as they were to awkward to remove. There are spotlight posts too. a few of which you get to down steps without handrails and sheer drops. A bit slippery but safe. It's quite a high island too and a fair climb from the drop off up to the now converted barracks. You can arrange a visit here : https://www.steepholm.org.uk/sailings-and-message-board/
History:
The far tip of the Mendips, the Romans and Vikings used Steep Holm as a beacon and hideout, and then there was a small medieval priory. St Gildas apparently lived there as a hermit before that in the Dark Ages, where he wrote some of the history of the country, but there's little evidence. The Victorians then used what was left of the priory to help build the first defences in the Palmerston Fort Era, then in WW1 and II mainly, the defences were "upgraded" in the uglier concrete Lego look. There were a few residents and cottages too, and an Inn where Sunday drinkers would flock to escape the Sunday licensing laws. Then in the 70's (ish) - After being forgotten and left for nature, the Kenneth Allsop Trust made plans and ended up getting the whole place to promote as a wildlife sanctuary.
Not mine
Or this
Victorian 7 ton gun. There are quite a few.
Have to watch out for these little guys - they were everywhere! - With mum and dad above..
...and I got dive bombed with a direct hit.
Cave spiders in the magazines...
The Victorian Inn
There were over 200 steps down to a spot light station.
The boat to pick us up. You can get 10 people on board - including the island's volunteers, so apart from them, it's pretty lonely.
