STEEP HOLM BOATING PROGRAMME 2004

Sea conditions permitting, the Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust will run day trips to Steep Holm from Weston-super-mare on the dates listed below. All sailings leave from Knightstone Harbour. Rendezvous times and parking arrangements will be advised when bookings are made.

Please initially telephone the Secretary Mrs. Joan Rendell on (01934) 632307 to book your preferred date. You will be asked for your name, address, and a contact telephone number for the evening before the trip, and requested to forward the full fare for the number of persons in your group by posting a signed and dated cheque made payable to Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust. This cheque should be sent to Stonedale, 11 Fairfield Close, Milton, Weston-super-mare, BS22 8EA within 10 days of telephoning, unless special arrangements have been made with the Secretary. If the cheque is likely to run out of date it will be banked; otherwise it will be retained until after the trip has taken place, but please do not post-date payment. If sea conditions cause cancellation visitors will have the option of either re-booking for another date or being refunded. On receipt of payment confirmation of booking will be sent showing the exact rendezvous, so please allow sufficient time for these arrangements to be completed.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS.

Individuals, families, and groups are all welcome. Our fully-equipped ferry has a below-deck saloon and can accommodate a total of 90 passengers. This number includes officials of the Trust who always accompany visitors. When assembling, at least 15 minutes before sailing time, please make sure that ALL passengers come immediately to the head of the narrow slipway on Knightstone Harbour (just before the turning circle on the roadway) to make themselves known to the Secretary, who will issue boarding passes for the journey. Inclusive costs for the ferry and landing fees are:

£16 each for adults.
£8 each for children (5 to 16 year of age inclusive).
(Due to Iifejacket regulations we are not able to take under-fives.)
It is necessary to book in advance to ensure a place.

We will make every endeavour to run the ferry service, but safety considerations on the sea journey are always borne in mind. We also reserve the right to cancel if there are insufficient bookings to make the trip viable, although this is unlikely to happen and it is more usual for the boat to be fully booked.

Visiting paid-up members of the Trust travel at reduced rates, and their fares will be collected on their arrival at the harbour although they should pre-book.

We regret that we are unable to accommodate overnight visitors.

PROPOSED SAILING TIMES 2004 SEASON

(Trips take place April-October. Javascript enabled browsers show upcoming trips only.)

WHAT TO EXPECT: Superb views along the seaboard from the Severn Bridges to North Devon, including the Mendip and Quantock Hills and Exmoor, Flat Holm, the Welsh mountains and coastline. Rare plants, unusual vegetation; Muntjac deer, gulls, cormorants, and other wildlife. Victorian cannons in their original setting; Second World War fortifications; medieval priory remains and other ruins. A basic snack bar serves hot and cold drinks, soup, chocolate, crisps, etc., in the Victorian barracks, where there are tables and comfortable seating. Toilet facilities are adjacent to the barracks. There is a wide range of souvenirs, and the island has its own stamps and postal service with unique philatelic items.

LIMITATIONS: at least one adult must accompany children (5-16 years). No animals are admitted because the island is a nature reserve. Potential visitors are advised that the terrain is rough, with a pebble beach and steep access paths to the plateau. There is no landing jetty and visitors need to be sufficiently agile to negotiate a gangplank from boat to beach and vice versa, although Trust workers are at hand to help. The gradients make Steep Holm unsuitable for those with walking difficulties, or who are otherwise unfit. With that proviso, a high proportion of visitors are in the category of the 'active elderly'. Anyone who is capable of country or hill walking in fairly strenuous conditions is unlikely to encounter problems and will enjoy a day on the island. Metal Detectors are prohibited.

THINGS TO BRING: Essentials are: non-slip footwear and sensible clothing for the sea journey and island walking, making allowances for differences in conditions during the day; also packed lunch, camera, and films (which are not sold on the island) binoculars, torch (to explore underground ammunition stores) and cash to spend on snacks and souvenirs. Credit cards cannot be accepted by the Trust.

BOOKS ABOUT STEEP HOLM: There is a good selection of books and guides dealing with Steep Holm's history and wildlife on sale in the island's Visitor Centre.