Sick of being stuck in traffic? These beautiful UK islands prove you don’t need a car to explore rugged coastlines, spot rare wildlife, or discover fascinating history.
Whether you’re after total tranquillity, a touch of adventure – or even the chance to buy your very own private isle, these destinations offer a refreshing, car-free escape.
Car-free islands in the UK
Isles of Scilly
Of the 150-200 islands in the archipelago, five of the Scilly Isles are inhabited – but none are open to cars. While some residents may own cars, visitors aren’t generally allowed to bring cars. About 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall, the Scilly Isles are mainly accessed by the Scillonian III ferry from Penzance – or by plane from Land’s End, Newquay and Exeter airports. For those with a bit of extra cash to splash, a helicopter service also runs from Penzance. The Scillonian III is a passenger-only ferry, so no cars are able to cross from the mainland.
The Isles of Scilly are walkable, with a network of well-marked coastal paths and inland routes, with additional public transport options.
Easdale Island, Inner Hebrides
Easdale is one of the smallest permanently-inhabited islands in the Inner Hebrides, famed for hosting the annual World Stone Skimming Championships each September. It is part of the group of islands known as the Slate Islands, thanks to its history as the centre of the Scottish slate industry, with as many as seven quarries functioning at one point. Some people now swim in the water-filled quarries on the island – although it's important to stay safe while doing so.
Easdale has no cars, no roads and no streetlights – so there’s plenty to enjoy here for those wanting a fully immersive, peaceful island experience. To get there, you’ll need to take the short ferry crossing from Cuan on Seil Island, connected to the mainland by the Clachan Bridge.
Lundy Island, Devon
About 5km long and 1km wide, Lundy is a small island in the Bristol Channel, with most visitors arriving by boat from Bideford or Ilfracombe (and helicopter in winter from Hartland Point). It’s famed for its rich birdlife, home to a population of puffins and large numbers of seabirds, including auks, razorbills, common guillemots and northern fulmars.
Owned by the National Trust and managed by the Landmark Trust, Lundy is home to a small population of around 30, comprising staff and volunteers who manage the island’s services and properties for visitors. There are no cars on the island, but you can walk the perimeter in a few hours.
Sark Island, Channel Islands
The second smallest of the Channel Islands, Sark can only be reached by boat – and your options for getting around are horse and cart, tractor, bicycle or foot. The Little Sark peninsula is joined to Greater Sark by an isthmus (a narrow piece of land connecting two larger areas) called La Coupée, with a narrow concrete path built by German prisoners of war in 1945.
Sark also has jurisdiction over the nearby island of Brecqhou, a fascinating, secretive private island owned by the Barclay brothers.
Herm Island, Channel Islands
With an area of just a couple of square kilometres, Herm is the smallest inhabited Channel Island, where cars and bikes are both banned – with visitors expected to get about on foot. Guests can take a 20-minute boat journey from Guernsey, which is an easy flight from many European cities. With a tiny number of inhabitants and a population of puffins, it’s a great place for walking and kayaking.
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Shuna Island, Argyll and Bute
Another of the Scottish Slate Islands, Shuna is a private island set over 1,110 acres – not to be confused with the other, much smaller Shuna Island to the north. But unlike the other islands listed here, Shuna is currently up for sale with Knight Frank – so you could buy your very own car-free island for £5.5 million. As well as ancient landmarks and burial grounds, Shuna also has ancient woodlands, secluded beaches and peat bogs.
South Rona, Inner Hebrides
While there are two holiday cottages, a lodge and a bothy on South Rona, there are no roads or shops – and only two permanent residents. It’s a low-key operation, with no official ferries running and the only means of access being private boat. Once you’re there, you can enjoy dramatic views over to Skye and The Old Man of Storr.
The island was purchased by hedge fund manager Danny Luhde-Thompson and his wife Cressida Pollock in 2025, and it is not yet known whether they will continue opening the properties on the island up for visitors.
Top image: hikers on Lundy Island (credit: Getty Images)
