Wrapped in the blue waters of the Caribbean, Antigua has the appearance of a paradise isle far removed from violence and murder.

Along with neighbouring Barbuda, it has an established reputation as the playground of the rich and famous, among them Richard Branson and Eric Clapton. But in recent years the island has become a magnet for Britons seeking sun and solace, all year round.

The island is a particular haven for newlyweds and hosts hundreds of shoreline weddings every year.

Tourists are warned of petty street crime and advised that valuables left unattended on beaches, in rental cars or in hotel rooms are vulnerable to theft. There has been an increase in crime in Antigua, including violent crimes, in the last nine months - but usually visitors to the island are not affected.

Antigua’s most exclusive hotels, including Cocos where Mr and Mrs Mullany were staying, are on the west side of the island - generally less wind-swept than the east.

They provide all-inclusive facilities giving holidaymakers little reason to venture out of the confines of the resort. If they do there are some 365 beaches on the island – which the tourist brochures will tell you means one for every day of the year - but many can still not be reached by road and whole swathes of the coast lie vacant.

For those looking beyond the white sand and translucent seas, English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard provide some local history with a museum.

The inlet in southern Antigua has been a crucial maritime shelter since before the Napoleonic wars and Nelson was stationed there for some time as a junior officer. Today it is still a working marina and Nelson's Dockyard the centrepiece of a national park stretching around English Harbour, which was the main British Caribbean stronghold in the 18th century. A series of walking trails follow the hilltop battlements.

In November, England’s cricket team will travel to the island to play five matches in Sir Allen Stanford’s Twenty20 game.

A succession of West Indies cricketers have hailed from the island, including Sir Viv Richards, after whom the new Test ground on the island is named.

The island also hosts an international classic yacht race in April every year.

Antigua is the largest of the Leeward Islands, at 87 miles in circumference, but its bad roads make it feel much larger to get around. It is the most prosperous and developed because of its high-end tourism and off-shore banking.

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