Treasured Islands: The explorer’s guide to over 200 of the most beautiful and intriguing islands around Britain

by Peter Naldrett

A comprehensive and inspiring guide to 200 of Britain's most beautiful and interesting islands. Whether it's a sandy paradise or a wild Scottish outpost with a warm pub, it's time to plan your island getaway.

The British Isles includes some 194 inhabited islands (out of a total of over 6,000), ranging from remote lost worlds to famous and popular holiday spots. And Treasured Islands includes them all, in one enticing package.

This wonderfully comprehensive and inspiring guide starts off with a Best of… section, highlighting the ten best islands for foodies, wildlife, adrenaline-junkies and pure escapism. Then, region by region, the author explores the UK's most wonderful islands,

Shetlands, Fair Isle, Orkneys, Outer Hebrides, Inner Hebrides, Isle of Arran
Lindisfarne, Isle of Man, Walney Island
Anglesey, Pembrokeshire Island
Foulness and Canvey Islands
Isle of Sheppey, Lundy
Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Channel Islands, Islands of Ireland
Tidal Islands (to include Burgh Island, Holy Island and St Michael's Mount)
Inland Islands (to include Eel Pie, Derwent Isle and Peel Island in the Lake District)
Remote Islands

Illustrated with beautiful colour photography, the text ensures you won't miss out on must-see attractions, wildlife and natural features, local food specialties, sporting activities, best places to stay and eat, and all-important transport links to and from the mainland, and other nearby islands. For some light relief, there are interesting historical and cultural anecdotes woven through, giving a fascinating insight into the way of life on these sometimes remote settlements.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2021

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read which was both accessible and entertaining. I loved reading about islands I know well but also those that I've never heard of! The summaries of each island included useful information such as how to get there and where to stay along with some beautiful photographs. Would highly recommend.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

More stars for the concept, more stars for getting the book out at such a difficult time for exploring islands. I certainly found it attractive and it whetted the appetite for some visits. Overall I was disappointed with this book in a variety of ways. It's rather here nor there - not quite a guide book (wrong size format for that) and not quite straightforward non-fiction either. The decision to incorporate the British Isles (and thus the islands around the whole of Ireland) does make sense but I cannot understand the decision to include the Faroes. Especially as there are some odd omissions such as Ailsa Craig, Coquet and Orford Ness, such that I am not quite sure of the metric used to select the subjects, given they didn't have to be inhabited. It's a long way off exhaustive. The value of the contributions from others seems rather variable in conveying the special attraction of 'their' island - sometimes more of a sales pitch for their products or services, sometimes very bland.

Given the space for each island, there would always be difficult choices about what to mention but I was surprised by some of the omissions (and not particularly distinctive inclusions) Not the author's fault that one of the businesses with which he might be most familiar, Kelham Island Brewery, has closed so soon after the book's publication but it demonstrates the risks of relying on things that might be vulnerable to economic pressures.

I also desperately missed having more maps!

There are some really good nuggets here and it is still well worth a look.