Britain by ferry: easy car-free island breaks perfect for a weekend

UK getaways

For such a small island nation, Britain hides an astonishing number of smaller ones. From windswept Scottish outposts to sandy southern shores, reaching them is part of the adventure: a short ferry crossing, a causeway revealed at low tide, a creak of gangplank and the sound of gulls overhead. Whether you’re craving puffin-studded cliffs, subtropical gardens, or a pint in a friendly harbour pub, these islands prove you don’t need to fly to find that 'away-from-it-all' feeling.

Click through this gallery to discover 28 of Britain’s best car-free island escapes – each one easy to reach but hard to leave...

Sark, Channel Islands

Reachable by ferry from Guernsey, Sark is famously car-free – only carriages and bicycles are permitted. Expect candlelit pubs, starlit skies and winding lanes lined with wildflowers. You can cycle from the harbour up to La Coupée for dramatic sea views, then enjoy some well-earned cake in a tearoom that feels straight out of another century.

Lundy Island, Devon, England

Depart from Bideford or Ilfracombe to reach this rugged outpost in the Bristol Channel. With no cars, limited Wi-Fi and more puffins than people, Lundy is perfect for a digital detox. You can walk the entire island in a few hours, spot seals on the rocks and warm up by the fire in the island’s single pub.

Holy Island (Lindisfarne), Northumberland, England

A tidal causeway connects Holy Island to the mainland, but it’s best enjoyed once the water cuts it off. Stay overnight to experience the island’s peace once the day-trippers have gone. Wander between the castle, priory ruins and windswept dunes, and stock up on locally made mead before you return to civilisation.

Brownsea Island, Dorset, England

Hop on a ferry from Poole Harbour to this National Trust island, home to rare red squirrels and strutting peacocks. You can easily explore Brownsea in a day, wandering between quiet beaches, fields ablaze with purple heather and viewpoints overlooking the Purbeck Hills.

Don’t miss Brownsea Castle (pictured), once a Tudor fort and now a private retreat – which adds a touch of history to the island’s natural charm. In summer, kayaks and picnic spots make it a blissfully easy escape from the mainland bustle.

Herm, Channel Islands

A short ferry from the channel island of Guernsey brings you to the smaller isle of Herm, where even bicycles are banned. Walk barefoot along Shell Beach, swim in turquoise shallows and follow coastal footpaths that circle the island in under two hours. With one hotel and a couple of laid-back cafés, Herm offers simplicity and sea air in perfect measure.

Arran, Scotland

Often called 'Scotland in miniature', Arran combines mountain peaks, whisky distilleries and sandy beaches, all within a short ferry ride from the southwestern town of Ardrossan. The island’s buses make it easy to explore Brodick Castle, Lochranza’s castle ruins and the island’s wildlife-rich coastline – no car required.

St Martin’s, Isles of Scilly, England

Just a short boat ride from St Mary’s, St Martin’s is one of the most picturesque of the Isles of Scilly – all soft white sands, clear shallows and palm trees. Its small community, flower farms and sea-view cottages give it an unspoilt, welcoming vibe that feels a world away. 

Tresco, Isles of Scilly, England

Fly or sail to St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly, a cluster of islands lying 28 miles (45km) off the coast of Cornwall, then catch the inter-island ferry to Tresco. Not to be confused with the place where you do the big shop, this private island features subtropical gardens and white-sand coves.

With electric buggies and bicycles as the main transport, the pace is delightfully unhurried. Don’t miss the Abbey Garden, where exotic plants from around the world thrive in the mild Atlantic climate.

Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland

Take the ferry from Ballycastle to discover Northern Ireland’s only inhabited offshore island. Rathlin’s quiet roads are ideal for walking or cycling, leading to lighthouses, seabird colonies and friendly local cafés. With puffins in summer and seals year-round, it’s a nature lover’s weekend dream.

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Eigg, Inner Hebrides, Scotland

Literally pronounced 'egg', Eigg is one of the most intriguing islands in the Inner Hebrides. Famous for its self-sufficient community and striking silhouette, it’s reached by ferry from Mallaig.

Walk or cycle the island’s few quiet roads, climb An Sgùrr for sweeping views and watch golden eagles soar above the cliffs. Small but full of character, Eigg’s community-owned power grid and eco-friendly ethos make it a model of sustainable island living.

Skomer Island, Wales

From the Pembrokeshire coast, ferries carry day visitors to Skomer, home to thousands of puffins in summer. With no cars and limited visitor numbers, it’s a paradise for wildlife watchers. Bring walking shoes and binoculars – the island’s cliffs, flowers and seabird colonies make it one of Britain’s most magical short breaks.

St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, England

Reachable on foot at low tide or by ferry when the causeway floods, St Michael’s Mount feels like a Cornish fairytale. Wander the subtropical gardens, explore the medieval castle and enjoy tea overlooking Mount’s Bay. Stay in Marazion to savour the view long after day visitors have gone.

Mersea Island, Essex, England

Less than two hours from London, Mersea Island in Essex is connected to the mainland by a tidal causeway that briefly disappears under the sea twice a day – so time your arrival carefully.

Once there, explore its colourful pastel beach huts, sample fresh oysters at a waterfront shack and wander the island’s nature reserves on foot or by bike. Compact, charming and brimming with coastal character, Mersea is proof that you don’t need to travel far for that island feeling.

Great Cumbrae, Scotland

A quick ferry from the seaside town of Largs on Scotland’s west coast lands you on Great Cumbrae, a compact island in the Firth of Clyde that’s a favourite with cyclists.

The 10-mile (16km) coastal loop passes painted cottages, rocky bays and the quirky Cathedral of the Isles, Britain’s smallest cathedral. Hire a bike in Millport, the island’s only town, stop for an ice cream by the promenade, and you’ll have the perfect seaside day.

Scolt Head Island, Norfolk, England

Just off the north Norfolk coast near Burnham Overy Staithe, Scolt Head Island is a National Nature Reserve reached by a small ferry (or a long, scenic walk at low tide). This uninhabited barrier island is all shifting dunes, salt marshes and birdlife – a haven for terns, oystercatchers and seals. There are no roads, cafés, or crowds – just wide skies and the sound of the sea.

Isle of Gigha, Scotland

Just a 20-minute ferry from Tayinloan on Kintyre, Gigha offers white beaches, gentle cycling routes and locally made ice cream. Walk to the verdant Achamore Gardens or kayak along the sheltered bays – the island’s compact size means everything is within easy reach. Perfect for a day trip. 

Inisheer, Aran Islands, Ireland

Although technically Irish, Inisheer is just a ferry ride from Doolin and makes an effortless add-on to a British Isles itinerary. The smallest of the Aran Islands, it’s easy to explore by bike or pony trap, passing stone walls, shipwrecks and pubs filled with traditional music.

Fair Isle, Shetland, Scotland

Halfway between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle may be remote, but it’s also where the iconic Fair Isle sweater originated. Reached by ferry or small plane, this tiny island is home to just a few dozen residents, dramatic sea cliffs and thousands of puffins in summer.

The local observatory attracts birdwatchers from around the world, while knitters keep centuries-old patterns alive in cosy cottages overlooking the sea.

Orford Ness, Suffolk, England

One for history buffs and nature lovers alike, Orford Ness can be reached by a short National Trust ferry from the village of Orford, and is one of the most atmospheric spots on the Suffolk coast. Once a secret military testing site, it’s now a hauntingly beautiful nature reserve where wildlife and World War II relics coexist.

Follow the marked trails through shingle banks and lagoons, spotting seabirds and remnants of abandoned laboratories. With no vehicles and only the wind and waves for company, it’s a quietly thrilling place to spend a day off-grid.

Coll, Inner Hebrides, Scotland

Sail from the harbour town of Oban on Scotland’s west coast to reach Coll, a peaceful island famed for its dark skies and empty beaches. There are few cars, fewer streetlights, and endless opportunities for stargazing. Wander through wildflower-strewn machair or kayak along the coast –you’ll rarely see another soul.

Canna, Inner Hebrides, Scotland

Small, green and rich in wildlife, Canna is one of Scotland’s most tranquil islands. Reached by ferry from Mallaig, it’s ideal for walkers and birdwatchers, with dramatic cliffs and a friendly local café near the harbour. With a population of around 20 people, peace is guaranteed. It's also – as you can see – absolutely stunning. 

Bute, Scotland

An easy ferry ride from Wemyss Bay delivers you to the Isle of Bute, a lively yet laid-back retreat. Stroll the Victorian seafront at Rothesay, explore Mount Stuart’s gothic mansion, or cycle the scenic west coast road. Regular buses connect most attractions, so it’s a smooth car-free adventure.

St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, England

Reachable by small boat from St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly, St Agnes feels wonderfully remote – its rugged cliffs, tiny farm stalls and wildflower meadows create a timeless charm, while turquoise coves invite lazy afternoon swims.

Wander to the sandbar that links it to the neighbouring island of Gugh at low tide, where seabirds wheel overhead and the sea glitters on both sides.

South Ronaldsay, Orkney, Scotland

Linked to the Orkney mainland by a chain of causeways known as the Churchill Barriers, South Ronaldsay lies at the southern tip of the archipelago. It's reached via ferry, which departs from Gills Bay on Scotland’s north coast and docks at the island's main village of St Margaret’s Hope.

Once there, you can explore on foot or by bike, tracing quiet coastal roads to the prehistoric Tomb of the Eagles and dramatic cliffs overlooking Scapa Flow – a natural harbour steeped in maritime history and haunting sea views.

Yell, Shetland, Scotland

A short ferry from the Shetland mainland brings you to Yell – rugged, remote and rich in wildlife. Spot otters, seals and seabirds as you explore its windswept coast. With quiet roads, small settlements and a strong sense of community, it’s an ideal introduction to Shetland’s wilder side.

St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, England

As the main gateway to the Scillies, St Mary’s combines easy access with small-island charm. Explore the coastal paths, hire a bike to discover hidden coves, or browse local galleries in Hugh Town. Regular inter-island boats make it simple to extend your trip to nearby Tresco or St Agnes.

Walney Island, Cumbria, England

Connected by a bridge to Barrow-in-Furness but easily explored car-free, Walney offers wide beaches, bird reserves and big skies. Rent a bike to tour its nature trails and seal colonies, or stay at the lighthouse cottages for a quiet weekend on the edge of Morecambe Bay. At low tide, you can walk across to Piel Island to visit the ruins of the island’s medieval castle (pictured). 

Isle of Wight, England

A short ferry hop from Portsmouth or Southampton, the Isle of Wight feels worlds away, despite being more than feasible for a day trip. Buses crisscross the island efficiently, linking Victorian seaside towns, sandy bays and the chalky Needles headland. Hire an e-bike to explore Cowes, Ventnor and Shanklin at your own pace, or simply stroll the clifftop trails and seafront promenades.

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