Here I am aboard Cardiff Cruises ‘Lewis Alexander’ at Penarth Barrage in Cardiff Bay, about to set off across the sea to visit Flat Holm, a very small island in the middle of the Bristol Channel.

The Barrage is a huge lock gate that maintains the level of water in Cardiff Bay.

Some other vessels went throught at the same time as us.

The scenery as we went out was quite industrial.

It wasn’t long before Flat Holm Island came into sight.

A map of the island was passed around for the perusal of the passengers.

After landing we set off to explore the island. We joined a tour but you can just wander around on your own if preferred.

The lighthouse is at one end of the island. It isn’t possible to go inside but still interesting to look at from outside.

There are lots of solar panels to provide the electricity as there is no mains power on the island.

Flatholm has no fresh water supply. Rainwater is collected from a sloped terrace that runs into a tank at the bottom.

In the 1860s Queen Victoria & Prince Albert were concerned that the French Navy might attack and a series of forts were built known as Palmerston Forts (the building was directed by Lord Palmerston). Big guns were hidden in pits (Moncrief pits) that could be pushed up to fire then would come down again when the gun recoiled. They were never actually used in wartime and were later replaced by anti-aircraft guns in the 2nd World War. Here I am sat on one of the Victorian guns next to a Moncrief pit.

I decided to have a look inside the pit too.

Not much to see, and I had to hurry out as the rest of the group had continued on the tour!

There is a lovely view of Steep Holm from Flat Holm. I would like to go to Steep Holm but due to tides you have to stay on the island for 12 hours which is quite a long time on a small island.

I rejoined the group to go to the next point of interest.

This odd structure is a monument commemorating the work of Marconi. According to the guide no one really knew where to put it when it was delivered by helicopter back in the 1980s, and it was finally dropped here. The first radio transmission across water took place in 1897 from Flat Holm.

There is a big ruined building, the remains of an isolation hospital that was used to house sailors with patients in the late 19th century. Before it was built tents were used.

There are a couple of beaches on the island. Sometimes humans visiting in specially organised group trips swim in the sea.

The farmhouse has been converted into bunk rooms and a flat where the island warden lives.

The foghorn hasn’t been sounded since 1984.

It is huge and looks like it would make a very loud noise.

I think I would fit inside of the fog horn!

The building next to the foghorn is now a holiday cottage. It sleeps up to 6 people and costs £100 a night to stay in.

I climbed up to have a peep in through a window It looked quite nice inside (no one staying there so all very tidy).

It was lunchtime, there is a pub called ‘The Gull & Leek’ in the old barracks, where we got mugs of tea. I sat and ate my packed lunch in a shady spot opposite next to the fire buckets.

Before we left I had a quick look in the museum which is also housed in the barracks.

The time on the island passed very quickly and it was soon time for us to go back.

I was last back on the boat!

Bye bye Flat Holm…

I really enjoyed my Flat Holm Island adventure, including the boat trip there and back.

For more information about visiting Flat Holm see: https://www.cardiffharbour.com/flat-holm-island.

We travelled there using Cardiff Bay Cruises, the crew were friendly and helpful. https://cardiffcruises.co.uk/

Horace the Alresford Bear 9/10/2023