St Helen's church and vestry were renovated in 2018 following a Heritage Lottery grant and church services are now held monthly. Between monthly services, The Lundy Co, in partnership with St Helens P.C.C. are delighted to be able to let the vestry to visitors which will help support the future maintenance of the building.
Whether you are contemplating a spiritual retreat, research project or staying in a property with a difference, the vestry offers visitors a rare opportunity of a unique island experience. Please be aware you will be woken early with the swallows in the summer as there are no blackouts on the windows and the main window lets in the light of the rising sun, making for a very natural rhythm.
Please be aware that the Vestry is not suitable for cots, Z-Beds or accommodating young children under the age of 12.
Features
Village location Electric heating
Outstanding views around property Twin beds
Shower
Basic kitchen facilities
Multi-fuel burner
Ground Floor
The vestry is apportioned over two floors, with a porch, hallway with internal door to the church, small kitchen, shower room, and toilet downstairs.
Please be aware that there is no full-size cooker in the kitchen, however, there is a fridge, microwave and a small portable induction hob.
There is a small multi-fuel burner in the kitchen area with fuel available from the general store.
Mezzanine
An oak staircase leads to the upstairs mezzanine twin bedroom/sitting area. As well as twin beds and a small desk and chairs, there are two easy chairs.
St Helen's Church
Lundy has long been an important site for Christianity with evidence of a small chapel dating back to the 12 century on Beacon Hill. St Helen's church was built and completed by the Reverend Hudson Heaven in 1896 at a cost of £4,101. The church was consecrated on 7 June 1897 with a congregation of 165 in attendance. Today the tower holds an impressive 10 bells which are regularly used by visiting bell ringing groups.
St Helen's Centre for Education and Interpretation
As well as providing a place of worship, ceremony, and contemplation, St Helen's also provides a wider community benefit to islanders, visitors, groups, and educational establishments. The centre provides informative interpretation featuring many aspects of the islands rich and colourful history and wildlife along with its many owners and communities.
Visiting schools use St Helen's centre as a base for their frequent visits to the island during the sailing season. The centre is also used as a venue for lectures and talks from various groups and organisations.
Useful Links:
www.lundyisland.co.uk
www.sthelenslundy.co.uk
Getting to and from Lundy
During the winter, November to March, our winter helicopter service runs on Mondays and Fridays from Hartland Point. Flying time is approximately six minutes.
MS Oldenburg sailing from April to October from either Bideford or Ilfracombe, as per the scheduled timetable.
Tickets must be bought a minimum of 14 days before departure by telephoning the Lundy office on 01271 863636.
We require the name, gender and age group (adult/child/infant) of each passenger. Children are classed as being between the ages of 4 and 15.
If adverse weather forces sailing cancellation, providing you already have tickets to sail on MS Oldenburg we will arrange for a helicopter (subject to availability and flying conditions) to transport you to, or from, the Island at a subsidised cost of £48 per person and £16 for infants under 2 years old.
Helicopter journey time is normally only six minutes, but at busy times because of limited capacity, it may take several hours to transport everybody to/from the Island and facilities at the heliport may be limited – further details are available from the Bideford or Ilfracombe offices.
How to book
For availability and prices, please contact the Lundy Booking Office on 01271 863636.
For details on our refund policy please refer to the Lundy booking conditions or Lundy island website www.lundyisland.co.uk
Items provided
Please click here for the Vestry equipment list.