Accomodation on Lundy
Lundy has a total 23 holiday properties to choose from sleeping between 1 and 14 people. These include a lighthouse, a castle and a Victorian mansion. Many of the buildings are constructed from the island's granite, and all have their own unique style and character. All have heating and many of the larger properties also have wood burning stoves. Each property also has either a bath or shower depending on size. The kitchens are fully equipped with everything you need in order to self cater. Each building also contains a selection of books, card games, jigsaws etc for those rainy and windy days which are part and parcel of island life.
The island also has its own campsite, situated in the centre of the village close to the Tavern and shop. It has both hot and cold water, with showers and toilets in an adjacent building.
As a single traveller, I have stayed at both single person properties - namely the Old Light Cottage and Radio Room. Both are completely different in style and atmosphere. The Radio Room is perhaps more suited to older visitors, and winter visits, being situated in the heart of the village, next to the Tavern. The Old Light Cottage is more secluded, situated as the name suggests, within the Old Lighthouse compound. This is half a mile from the village, on the west side of the island. Both properties are completely self contained with everything that you need.
During July, August, and most Bank Holidays, properties are let by the week from Saturday to Saturday. At other times, properties may be booked for any period that fits in around the arrival and departure of MS Oldenburg and/or the helicopter. The maximum length of stay in any one propery is three weeks.
Money
As Lundy is part of the United Kingdom there is no need to change money or obtain travellers cheques (unless of course you are visiting from abroad). For staying visitors it is possible to open an account at both the Tavern and shop for the duration of your stay, and pay on departure. It is best to take a small amount of cash with you though, as when you arrive, departing visitors may still have to pay their bills. The Tavern may therefore ask you to pay for your first meal in cash, in order to avoid confusion.
Both shop and Tavern accept Visa, MasterCard, Solo and Switch (minimum £10), as well as cash and cheques. If you do need extra cash, the shop can usually cash personal cheques without problems.
Health
As Lundy has no resident Doctor, visitors with serious medical conditions would be strongly advised to consult their own Doctor prior to booking. If you need to take medication for any reason, such as asthma, allergies etc, then take care to ensure that you bring adequate supplies with you. Although the shop stocks basic items such as pain killers, plasters etc, it is always prudent to take a basic first aid with you anyway. Wet wipes or a small tub of water free hand wash are useful accessories to bring with you, as well as a supply of paper tissues.
If the worst should happen, then the majority of islanders are fully trained members of the coastguard team, and are trained to help with evacuation.
The island tap water, although slightly brown is perfectly safe to drink. Although it may be tempting to drink water from the myriad of natural springs around the island, I strongly recommend that you do not do so, as it is likely to prompt a very unpleasant reaction, and may even give you intestinal parasites from the animals that also use these springs. Some may also be contaminated by nitrates and other chemicals from the farm (the island has over 100 breeding ewes).
During the summer months in particular, it is absolutely essential to ensure that you drink adequate amounts of water in order to avoid dehydration. The use of a high factor sun screen is also strongly recommended. Remember that Lundy is an island surrounded by sea, which reflects the rays of the sun. Wind burn can be almost as big a problem as the sun. Unfortunately the only way to avoid this though is to stay in!
Water and Electric
Lundy, like many regions in the south of England, particularly in the summer months, suffers from periodic shortages of water, so visitors are asked to use it as sparingly as possible. The water does have slightly higher than average nitrate levels, which although within EC levels results in a slight brown colouration and to some visitors at least, a disagreedable taste (although no worse than London tap water!).
Visitors should also be aware that the electricity, which is supplemented by the islands own generator, is switched off each night between midnight and approximately 6am. If you like to stay up late then bring candles and/or a torch and leave it by the bed in case you wake up in the night.
