The windswept Isle of Portland is connected to the mainland by Chesil Beach, which curves west for 18 miles along the Dorset coast. The island is famous as the home of Portland stone and is rich in bird life, while just next door is the resort town of Weymouth, with its pretty Georgian harbour.

Ireland’s second city is an engaging mix of cosy pubs, grand Georgian architecture and forward-thinking restaurants, with one of the best foodie scenes in the country. Cork’s historic centre sits on an island in the River Lee, and the narrow streets are full of cafés, bars and markets.

Fishguard holds the unusual distinction of being the site of the last invasion of Britain by a foreign power; a band of 1,400 French revolutionaries landed here in 1797, and were promptly repelled by the locals. The surrounding countryside is also full of history, with a plethora of impressive medieval castles.

Rugged and unspoilt, peaceful and perhaps a little parochial, the Isle of Man is proud to be different. The island has its own government, the Tynwald, which is said to be the oldest continuous parliament in the world, as well as its own language and even its own currency, the Manx pound.

The peaceful isle of Bute boasts surprisingly varied landscapes for an island of its diminutive size, from rugged moors and fertile hills to sandy beaches. Highlights include the beautiful gardens of Mount Stuart House and the imposing castle at Rothesay.