Offshore islands

There are between 120 and 130 offshore islands which can be classified as part of England's natural geography. Some are privately owned, some are inhabited, while others are only known to lighthouse-keepers, sailors and naturalists. The attraction of these islands is different to different people. Ornithologists for example might want to study a rare seabird; archaeologists might be interested in a prehistoric or early Christian site; sociologists might study why certain islands have been deserted or resettled.

The Isle of Wight is the largest island off the south coast. Charles I was once imprisoned here, and there is a large prison, Parkhurst, on the island today. A lot of its attractive scenery has formed as a result of a thick layer of chalk - the white teeth of the 'Needles' are the most famous example.

Many of the inhabitants travel daily to the mainland to work. Those who work on the island are usually involved with the tourist industry because the island is visited by thousands of tourists every year. A favourite activity is yachting.

The Isles of Scilly can be found 28 miles (45 km.) southwest of Land's End. There are between 50 and 100 'islands' in the group (some are just large rocks) but only six are inhabited. In early spring, they export beautiful flowers to the mainland.

St Michael's Mount is linked to the mainland at low tide by a causeway. It was a base for the tin trade at one time and, because of its religious connection with Mont-Saint-Michel in France, it was also a trading and migration centre from the earliest days of Christianity.

Finally, between the coast of Devon and South Wales is the island of Lundy, which is three miles long and half a mile wide. At one time it was almost a pirate kingdom, but today it is a bird sanctuary, with a resident human population of about twelve.

Susan Sheerin, Jonathan Seath, Gillian White: Spotlight on Britain; Oxford University Press, 1985, page 75