Welcome to Round Island
Welcome — and thank you for your interest in our very special corner of Poole Harbour.
Our family has been the custodians of this island for over 60 years, ever since my grandfather first bought it all those decades ago. Since then, it has remained firmly in family hands, passed down with a deep sense of responsibility, affection, and pride.
Today, my parents and I look after the marketing and bookings, continuing a way of life — and a way of welcoming guests — that has evolved gently over more than 40 years of running our self-catering cottages.
Although we don’t live on the island ourselves, it is lovingly cared for day to day by our wonderful island caretakers, Caroline and Steve, who are very much the heart of island life. They are there throughout the season, keeping everything running smoothly and ensuring that guests feel looked after while still enjoying the peace and privacy that makes the island so special.
Sharing Something We Treasure
We feel incredibly privileged to be able to share the island with our guests. It’s not something we ever take for granted. The rhythm of life here is shaped by the tides, the seasons, and the natural environment, and we are careful to keep things that way. For that reason, availability is guided not only by dates but by the practicalities of island access — and by our firm belief that the island should never feel overcrowded.
This is also why our booking process may seem a little old-fashioned. Rather than an automated system, we ask guests to contact us directly by email, phone, or message. It allows us to manage bookings thoughtfully, answer questions properly, and make sure each stay works well for both our guests and the island itself. It’s a personal approach — and one that has served us (and our returning guests) happily for decades.
A Place Guests Return To
One of the greatest pleasures for us is welcoming guests back year after year. Many have been visiting for generations themselves, and it means a great deal to us that the island has become part of their story too. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, we hope you’ll feel the warmth, care, and quiet magic that make this place so special to us.
If you’re thinking about staying, please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you — and, if the tides allow, to welcome you to the island.
May Palmer
on Behalf of Colin & Linda and the Palmer Family
A Little of the History of the Island
The instruction of Sir Edward Maufe MA FRIBA, (the Architect of Guildford Cathedral) to design and oversee the construction of the main house on the Island is attributed to Kathleen Laurence, who also gained planning permission for the pier and permission for a further three cottages which now comprise two of the holiday cottages.
The pier, at 110 feet long, leads to a boathouse and slipway and the island is served by its own water supply.
From 1940 the Island was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and combined as a training ground as HMS Turtle which was based at the Marines base in Hamworthy.
The peaceful surroundings inspired Sir Thomas Beecham, a visitor to the Island to pen his biography of the composer, Frederick Delius.
