ST2264 : Flatholm Lighthouse

Flat Holm

32m Elevation
32m Prominence
Wales Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

ST2264 : Flatholm Lighthouse

Morag Sinton Photo source

Explore routes near Flat Holm

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Locking Parklands–Hutton–Christon

View route

Banwell–Vering Down–Winscombe

View route

Goblin Coombe

View route

Cheddar Reservoir-Strawberry Line-Hythe

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Flat Holm Walk

A gentle circular walk around the island, suitable for all ages.

3.5 km ~1.5 hours Easy
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

0-99m hill SIB

Elevation

32m

106 ft

Prominence

32m

Coordinates

51.3756, -3.1184

ST222646

OS Map

171 182

Explorer: 151E 153

At the Summit

The summit features a small observation point and a historic lighthouse, providing a great spot for a quick selfie and some splendid views.

Terrain & Geology

Grassland with some rocky outcrops and paths easy underfoot.

The island is primarily composed of limestone, which has created a unique habitat for diverse flora and fauna. The underlying geology is part of the Carboniferous limestone, giving rise to features such as sea caves and blowholes.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, walkers can see the Bristol Channel, the distant Brecon Beacons, and the city of Cardiff.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

Flat Holm derives its name from the Old Norse 'Holmr' meaning 'small island'.

Historical Significance

Flat Holm has served various purposes throughout history, including a quarantine station in the 19th century and importance during the First and Second World Wars.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Parking is available at Cardiff Bay, with a designated area for visitors to drop off before boarding the ferry.

Public Transport

Regular bus services connect Cardiff city centre to Cardiff Bay, and ferries operate to Flat Holm from the Bay.

Nearby Facilities

There are basic facilities on the island, including toilets and a visitor centre during the summer months. Bring your own snacks, as the café is quite limited!

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Coastal paths may become slippery after rain, and strong tides can impact access to some areas around the shoreline.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Flat Holm?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Flat Holm through the maps

Are there other walkers around Flat Holm?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Flat Holm search or of course create your own walk for Flat Holm

Can I organise a walk to Flat Holm?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Flat Holm.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Flat Holm?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Flat Holm here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: ST222646

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Glastonbury Tor

158m

 Dunkery Beacon

Dunkery Beacon

520m

 Cribyn

Cribyn

795m

Pen y Fan

886m

Fan Gyhirych

726m
See 5 more nearby hills