Steep Holm

A five mile boat trip lasting about an hour from Weston-super-Mare lands visitors on a pebble beach. Occasionally the smaller Weston vessels link up with Waverley or Balmoral paddle steamers to take some of their passengers ashore because the larger vessels are constrained by their draught. Once ashore, there is a zigzag ascent through a small sycamore wood to the island's plateau 256 feet above sea level. Spreading over some 50 acres, a remarkable variety of features.
Recent archaeological investigation has produced evidence of a strong Roman and there is documentary evidence of a Vikings presence. A medieval priory was established in the 12th century; rabbit warreners tended their charges over the centuries; fishermen, farmers, innkeepers, smugglers - all inhabited the island.

Steep Holm was fortified in Victorian times and the 7 ton cannons remain on or near their original batteries. In the World War II hundreds of soldiers were drafted on to the island to build and man 6 inch coastal gun emplacements and searchlight posts.

Visit website here
Book in advance with Mrs Joan Rendell on 01934 632307