This isn't the best written book ever and it isn't really a reference work but I have found it invaluable in my quest to visit as many islands off the British coast as possible. I applaud anyone who manages to find a subject that no one else has already written about and I am pretty certain that there is no other book about all the tidal islands off the British mainland. Most books about islands ignore tidal islands, as they don't consider them to be true islands. I have found nothing else published about several of the islands visited in this book.
The premise of the book is that the author likes visiting island but suffers from sea sickness, so doesn't like going on ferries to islands. He succeeds in walking to 43 tidal islands off the coast of mainland Britain and this book is an account of his journeys. It is written in a conversational style and in places has overlong descriptions of his journey to get to the crossing points, including what he ate for breakfast and what the weather was like. However he also includes a great deal of historical information. I use the book as a practical travel guide and for this purpose it is a bit lacking in details e.g. about exactly where to cross from. However I would guess that the vast majority of people who read the book aren't likely to visit most of the less well known islands. The book is also lacking an index.
In theory with tidal islands all you need to do is to wait for the tide to go out and then walk to them, although it isn't always that simple, as the author finds out - precipitous cliffs, unwelcoming land owners, overgrown footpaths and soft mud can sometimes be a problem and some islands can only be walked to on a very low spring tide. Mr Caton made it harder for himself by using public transport where possible. Personally I find a car an invaluable asset for an island bagger. I have so far managed to visit 28 out of the 43 islands. Dangers or problems he encountered on the way to a few of the islands have put me off visiting them e.g. Ynys Lochtyn (cliffs) and Horsey & Osea (unwelcoming owners).
The book also includes information about a few islands the author rejected because they weren't big enough or have bridges/causeways to them. However I am not such a purist, so found this information very useful and am glad he included it.
9/10
Islands covered: too many to list.
Ardwall Island from Knockbrex
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Trig Point on the summit of Davaar Castle, Piel Island  Causeway to Sully Island  Worms Head 3 hours before low tide  Hilbre, Dee Estuary |
