Burgh Island, Bigbury on Sea, Kingsbridge, Devon
Burgh Island stands opposite the beach at Bigbury on Sea on the South Devon coast and is accessed by a short walk across a causeway at low tide, or by Sea Tractor at high tide. There are only five buildings on the island, the biggest being the Art Deco inspired Burgh Island Hotel where Agatha Christie penned two of her novels. Visitors can walk around the island discovering the abundant wildlife and exploring the ruined chapel, or have lunch at The Pilchard Inn, reputedly used in days gone by as a hideout for smugglers and pirates and said to be haunted.
The chapel was used as a ‘Huer’s Hut, used by fishermen to look out for shoals of pilchards; when spotted the men made a cry to alert other fishermen on the mainland – it’s where the term ‘Hue and Cry’ originated.
Look out for butterflies, moths and common lizards, as well as nesting sea birds.
All information correct at the time of writing