Burgh Island

Burgh Island is situated just off the South Devon coast, near the village of Bigbury and to Agatha Christie fans it may seem familiar. It is in fact the setting for her bestseller "And Then There Were None", and it was also used as the filming location for the 2002 TV adaptation of "Evil Under The Sun". Agatha Christie stayed at the Burgh Island Hotel several times, as did such greats as Noel Coward, Mountbatton and also the Beatles (but presumably not all at the same time!). It is certainly an example of 1930's modernism, very art deco and it has been frequented by Bright Young Things since it first opened in 1928. Apparently Edward also visited it several times with Mrs Simpson ...

The setting is fabulous for this elegant hotel, depending upon the tide the island is either cut off completely from the mainland, or linked to it by a shimmering sandy causeway.

At high tide, the Sea Tractor transports hotel guests and visitors back and forth from the island -it drives across the sand with the wheels underwater and the passengers sitting on a high platform above (the original vehicle was constructed in 1930, the current one is the 3rd version). Unfortunately, although I was able to get a photograph of the tractor "in action", by the time we were ready to leave the island, the tide had turned and it had just stopped running, so we didn't get a ride after all (I knew we shouldn't have stopped for that extra glass of wine) .... !!

There are only five buildings on the island, being the hotel, 3 x private houses and a pub (run by the hotel) and called by the somewhat unsalubrious name "The Pilchard Inn". However, it does do very well in the summer, and serves excellent beer (when you can get to the bar!). The island itself has an extensive network of footpaths, until 2003 the owner welcomed all hikers/walkers. However, the new owners tried to obtain an exemption from the public "right to roam" - thankfully this was overturned in 2006! Walking around the island is well worthwhile, with spectacular views and dramatic cliffs.

Apparently the cliff below could be the one where Dr Armstrong was pushed off in "And Then There Were None" ....

A long time ago the island was known as "St Michael Island", which was later changed to Borough Island, eventually becoming Burgh. It is also believed that a monastery was once established on the island, the remains of which now lie below the hotel. After the dissolution of the monastery, a small band of fishermen occupied the island who specialised in pilchard fishing. Also at this time there was a lot of smuggling, wrecking and piracy going on due to the fact that the island was cut off from the mainland for half the day, very useful obviously!!