BURGH ISLAND BIGBURY DEVON.
BURGH ISLAND BIGBURY ON SEA
The history of the island is linked to monks who enjoyed the peace and tranquility of Burgh and were known to have brewed mead and supplemented their diet with the locally caught pilchards. Today on the island the smaller of the two buildings is the Pilchard Inn which dates back to the 14th Century and is reported to have been the hide out for smugglers and wreckers escaping the excise men.
BURGH ISLAND HOTEL
The island's white, art deco hotel, which can be seen for miles around, was built in the late 1920's, and added to in the thirties, to look like a cruise liner on dry land.
A hotel has stood on the island since just before the First World War it was built by George and Rose Chirgwin. In 1927 the widow Rose sold to an eccentric known as "Uncle Archie" Nettlefold he was responsible for the present magnificent building.
THE PILCHARD INN ON BURGH ISLAND
The Hotel in its heyday attracted many celebrities Edward came here with Mrs Simpson,Agatha Christie used it as a setting for several scenes in her novels,other visitors included Noel Coward,and Winston Churchill.
The decor is very over the top, with lots of original Art Deco furniture and fittings. An unusual feature is that there are no televisions, modem access or mobile phone signals so it is possible to switch off completely.
On the top of the island stands the ruins of a former chapel, which then became a 'huers hut' - where a watchman would look out for shoals of pilchards and then make a hue and cry to local fishermen waiting in boats.
The island is separated from the mainland by a glorious golden sandy beach ideal for families [beware of sunburn due to the hot sun and gentle breeze that drifts around the island] There are lots of water sports enjoyed such as surfing, wind surfing etc.
Burgh Island.
The Pilchard Inn on Burgh Island.
Burgh Island in early morning mist.
