Lundy Island

Lundy is the Bristol Channel's largest island. The place-name 'Lundy' first appears in the Records of the Templars in England in 1189, as Lundeia. Lundy includes traces of visitation or settlement dating back to the Mesolithic period, including Neolithic flintwork, Bronze Age burial mounds, four early medieval engraved gravestones, and an early medieval monastery likely dedicated to St Elen. Lundy was granted to the Knights Templar by Henry II in 1160. when they were a major international maritime force.

The island was difficult to control for the next few centuries. Following that, both English and foreign pirates and privateers held possession of the island.

During English Civil War, Thomas Bushell held Lundy for King Charles I, rebuilding Marisco Castle and garrisoning the island at his own expense.

• Foundations for a lighthouse on Lundy were laid in 1787, but the first lighthouse now known as the Old Light dates back to 1819.
• The current Lundy North and Lundy South lighthouses were built in 1897.