Caldey Island, the only account of its kind of one of Britain’s holy islands, is now available in a compact size and price.

Just a couple of miles off the Pembrokeshire coast, Caldey Island has been a site of religious significance for over 1,400 years. The Brothers of the Reformed Cistercian Order continue their monastic tradition in the abbey and its enclosure today.

Caldey Island’s diverse wildlife, rich architectural history and stunning seascape make it one of the finest tourist locations in Europe, with each aspect showcased in text and images by writer Christopher Howells and photographer Ross Grieve.

Over a period of two years, Chris and Ross were granted exclusive access to daily life at Caldey Abbey, culminating in the publication of the original Caldey Island book in 2009. Combining extensive interviews with Ross’s photojournalistic style, they were able to build a uniquely intimate portrait of the island and its inhabitants, and the first pictorial account of the abbey and its activities throughout the year. This included being granted permission to observe the brotherhood’s religious festivals, including the Holy Week celebrations, an unprecedented level of access.

Equally a well-rounded guide to the island’s tourist features, landscapes and topography, this title is essential reading for all those with an interest in island life, monastic traditions in the 21st century, and the varied locales of the UK.

Though some members of the brotherhood and other residents have passed on since the first publication, this edition in its new format preserves their personalities and the timeless way of life still practised on the island’s shores.

THE AUTHOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER

Christopher Howells is a Cardiff-based film and television director and producer whose work includes a broad range of factual documentaries for regional, network and international broadcast. His BBC network credits include The Clocks Go Forward Tonight, narrated by Steven Fry (Radio 4), Young Musician of the Year (Radio 4), and So What Do You Do All Day? with Adrian Chiles.

Ross Grieve developed his passion for photography more than 20 years ago in New Zealand, where he was born. A resident of Pembrokeshire since 1996, he is a qualified member of the Master Photographers Association and has lectured widely around the UK and internationally. His photojournalistic style captures the emotion of the day, whether a portrait or commercial shoot, and has garnered several national awards in the United Kingdom.

• Published by Graffeg, on September 22, this new compact book is a hardback with 160 pages in colour and over 100 pictures. It is priced at £9.99.