Bigbury-on-Sea and Burgh Island

The village of Bigbury-on-Sea is a 10-minute drive from Apple Barn. It is possible to walk part of the South West Coast Path all the way round from Wonwell beach, but this is not for the faint-hearted (more details here).

Agatha Christie fans will be excited to learn that Burgh Island was the inspiration for Soldier Island from And Then There Were None, and that the Burgh Island Hotel was the setting for ITV’s 2001 adaptation of Evil Under the Sun!

There are fun walking trails on the island (quite steep in places) and the ruins of a chapel right at the top. Technically you can’t picnic on the island, but the Pilchard Inn is a nice place to have lunch (we recommend going out of season).

There are public loos available on the mainland by the large car park next to the excellent Venus Cafe, and at the Pilchard Inn on the island. There is also a beach shop (in case the weather turns out better than expected and you do fancy a swim after all).

Dogs are not allowed on the main beach and strip leading to the island between 1st May and 30th September, but they are allowed on the beach to the left-hand side of the strip as you look at the island. Access to the island is by foot at low tide and on the legendary sea tractor at high tide.

More access information can be found here.