I’ve seen Burgh Island when visiting Devon on previous occasions but have never had the chance to make it there before, so today is the day.
Burgh Island is an iconic South Devon landmark, located directly opposite Bigbury on Sea. The island is accessible at low tide by a strip of sand which at high tide is completely covered, leaving a ride on the unique sea tractor as the only means of access.
As well as the sea tractor the island is famed for its links to Agatha Christie, the art-deco inspired hotel and as well as a one time haunt for pirates and smugglers.
The tidal passageway that separates the mainland from Burgh Island is a beautiful sandy beach.
Burgh Island sits just off the South West Coast Path and you can spend many hours wandering along the stunning coastline looking out to sea and back towards the Island.
The infamous art-deco inspired Burgh Island Hotel has housed some very famous guests, including Agatha Christie. Although under different names Burgh Island featured in two of her most well known novels; “And Then There Were None” and “Evil Under The Sun”.
We walked around the island to see the remains of the chapel (the featured photo of this post), and were hoping to have lunch at the Pilchard Inn on the shoreline but it was closed. However the staff at the Burgh Island Hotel kindly allowed us in to the Palm Bar where Chris and I decided it was time to have a cocktail and some lunch in such an elegant setting!. I felt like I was in an Agatha Christie movie!!
The Pilchard Inn on the island is a 14th century hideout for smugglers and pirates – and is said to be haunted.
