May 2023

Burgh Island

England

MAIN BLOG

26th May 2023 ~ 29th May 2023

Burgh Island

“Shaken and not stirred Mr Rooster…”

We started with a night at Kingbridge which was a beautiful little place followed by a fabulous night on Burgh Island. A big tick for Cola. Wandering around the island we felt a million dollars. With an evening black tie meal it was sublime.

Destination Information

Kingsbridge

Kingsbridge is a charming, traditional market town nestled in the South Hams district of South Devon. Situated at the northern tip of the picturesque Kingsbridge Estuary—a tidal ria within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty—it serves as a vibrant coastal hub for walkers and water sports enthusiasts.

Dating back to the 10th century, the town derives its name from an ancient bridge linking two royal estates. Today, its historic centre retains beautiful 18th and 19th-century architecture, independent shops, and the famous 16th-century Shambles market arcade. It offers an ideal, relaxed base for exploring nearby beaches and rolling countryside.

Burgh Island

Burgh Island is an iconic tidal island situated just 250 metres off the coast of Bigbury-on-Sea in South Devon, England. Spanning approximately 26 acres, it is defined by its rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and unique accessibility. At low tide, a beautiful golden sandbar emerges, allowing visitors to walk across from the mainland. When the tide rolls in, the strip completely floods, turning the destination into a true island reachable only by a historic, high-mounted “sea tractor.”

The island is world-renowned for its glamour, heavily tied to the Art Deco movement. At its heart sits the Grade II listed Burgh Island Hotel, built in 1929. This architectural gem served as a luxury retreat for high society during the 1930s, famously hosting guests like Noel Coward, Edward VIII, and Winston Churchill.

Most notably, it was a favourite sanctuary for legendary crime novelist Agatha Christie. The island’s dramatic setting directly inspired two of her most famous novels: And Then There Were None and the Hercule Poirot mystery Evil Under the Sun. Beyond the hotel, the island features the 14th-century Pilchard Inn, stunning coastal walking trails, and panoramic views of the spectacular Devon coastline.