High Lea
4047Bigbury-on-Sea | Sleeps 6 + 2 cots*
7 Nights from £895
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearby pub
Overlooking the fabulous beach at Challaborough, this beach bar is open daily offering outside dining and excellent sea views. If you are spending a day on the beach then this place is ideal.
Nearby beach
An arch-shaped cove, Challaborough Bay consists of a fine sand beach backed by greenery-clad cliffs. On the doorstep of Challaborough village, the beach is a lovely spot for families and is also a popular choice amongst surfers.
Nearby walk
Sat opposite Bigbury-on-Sea, Burgh Island is a tiny tidal island. Home to a scattering of buildings including a hotel, the island becomes completely cut off at high tide. Once the favourite haunt of pirates and smugglers, it’s easy to lose yourself in the atmosphere at Burgh Island.
September 2020
Fabulous views
After walking across the sands to the island you have the most wonderful views. The coast paths are easy to find. There are lots of places to take wonderful photos but don’t go too close to the edge as the sides are very soft.
October 2013
Thought it might be interesting to go over for dinner, but £60 per person... Pub has unwelcoming signs outside for non-residents. The island is very small and you can walk all the paths in about an hour. The views are not as worthwhile as walking the coast path.
August 2011
Nice beach
We had a very nice afternoon stop at the beach. Fine sands, fantastic view, clear water.
January 2009
A lovely place to visit, the views from the top of the island are beautiful. There is also a pub on the island for a well earned drink and the idea of the tide coming in and cutting you off is very unusual and a lot of fun.
January 2009
Great view
Worth going across to Burgh Island for the view back to the Devon coastline alone. Go to the top of the hill where there is a ruined cottage and walk around it for the full 360. The hotel does look a bit posh if you are in walking gear, but we have promised that we will go back for Sunday lunch. Go to the pub for refuelling but beware, it can get busy in the holiday periods.
October 2008
A Bygone Age
Well worth a visit just to enjoy the magnificent panorama that this unique view point affords - even better in the evening with a pint at the Pilchard to watch the sun go down!
If you're looking for something a bit different for a special occasion then treat yourself to a stay in the hotel and get the full flavour of this art deco retreat where guests still dress for dinner and enjoy a cocktail or two - the sunsets are even better then!
Nearby town
Huge expansive yellow sands, an enchanting island reached by foot at low tide and fat, juicy Bigbury Bay oysters – Bigbury-on-Sea has much to offer the visitor. Take a trip by sea tractor to Burgh Island, where Noel Coward and Agatha Christie attended elegant parties in the 1920s, hire a surfboard and catch some waves, walk the coast path or simply sit back and enjoy the stunning views - Bigbury is at the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
October 2013
Local post office stores is Tardis-like - we could find all we needed there, and friendly too
Also nearby
Bantham Beach is set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has numerous awards tucked under its sandy belt. Overlooking Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island, you can take the famous sea tractor and head to the island or sit and enjoy the views from the shore. A great surfing beach, the huge swathes of sand and sea allow plenty of space for everyone. Well-provisioned and life guarded in the summer, Bantham is a fantastic family-friendly beach.
March 2024
Misleading information
Bantham Beach is south of the estuary with no sea tractor access to Burgh Island which is from Bigbury Beach , north of the estuary.
When visiting Bantham we tried The Sloop Inn in the village for Sunday lunch but would not revisit.
October 2022
Beach walk
large car park and a short walk to a small ferry to Bigbury on sea, a great beach walk
June 2022
Perfect beach
Something for everyone here plus a good cafe.
August 2021
Great beach with views across to Burgh Island
Lovely privately-owned, wide, sandy beach. Beautiful views across to Burgh Island, walking access is possible at times, depending on the tide. Good facilities, lots of parking (there is a daily charge, so check before going). We enjoyed a great pizza from one of the gastro-buses in the car park. There are picnic benches in the gastro-bus area, and hot, and cold drinks, and other food available.
September 2008
Privately owned beach open to the public. A truly beautiful beach. Wide sands, surfing and wind-surfing, rock pools and a delightfully gentle introduction to the South West Coast Path with views over Burgh Island. No dogs allowed during the summer months. Charge made for car parking.
August 2008
Great family fun beach
Lovely beach with little coves to hide away in, rock pools and lovely clean sandcastle sand; wide enough for kite buggies, best surfing beach on the south coast along with Bigbury on Sea beach opposite. Burgh Island out to sea with its restored evocative 1930's hotel clinging to the edge was the inspiration for Enid Blyton's Kirrin Island as well as a number of Agatha Christie novels! Dogs allowed on the beach Oct- April and then along the far right hand side (west) during the remainder of the year. Beach balls and skimboards etc plus coffees and teas available from the post office cafe back in the village- great estuary view while sipping away on the deck out back. Lunch or supper in the Sloop pub- best to pre book in season
18 fun holes with spectacular views over the coast and out to Burgh Island. Visitors are made welcome and bookings can be made at the pro shop.
June 2022
Bigbury Golf Club
A well maintained golf course with great views. Staff and members very friendly and welcoming.
July 2008
Enjoy the Views
Stunning location for a course - never mind how the golf goes, you can just stand back and take in the view!
Sit on the sand, go for a paddle or walk across to Burgh Island at low tide. Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Bigbury on Sea Beach offers plenty of choice for everyone. If you don't want to bring your own, sports equipment hire is available. There are also lifeguards on patrol in the summer, an added comfort for families with children.
March 2024
What a Setting
Spectacular panoramic 180 deg. coastal sea views, quirky sea tractor ride over to Burgh Island if the tide is in or otherwise a stroll over golden sands. Visited quite a few times and it never disappoints.
June 2022
Community cafe a must
Just above the beach in a White House is a community tea rooms. Views to die for from either inside or out and the cakes and light lunches were so delicious we went back for more!
May 2022
Mrs M
Lovely beach for families and very well patrolled.
Good access for dogs too.
July 2017
Help for Disabled
The Venus Cafe, just below the car park at Bigbury-on-Sea, has a beach wheelchair that can be borrowed free of charge. We were able to wheel my mother over to Burgh Island.
The slopes going down to the beach are quite steep. It's not so bad going down, but you need to be quite strong to push the wheelchair back up!
October 2013
Large sandy beach when the tide is out. Interesting rock formations around towards the Avon estuary.
September 2012
Lovely Sandy Beach
A large sandy beach and great for surfing. Children can play.You can either walk across to Burgh Island or take the sea tractor when the tide covers the causeway.
July 2008
Great beach
A large sandy beach with some surf. Walk to Burgh Island at low tide or take the sea tractor.
Fresh, local oysters from Bigbury Bay; if you are squeamish about eating them raw, there are a variety of baked and grilled options.
June 2023
Quirky but fabulous!
A slightly challenging drive to the Oyster Shack (very narrow, winding lanes) is amply rewarded by fabulous food and friendly service. It really is a shack, but a very comfortable one!
August 2022
Fab food and location
Third time coming here, as previously experienced amazing food well worth the cost.
June 2021
Delicious seafood
We ate here for lunch and it was absolutely delicious. Quite pricey but the quality was worth it. Oysters were very fresh and we enjoyed the different toppings. BBQ octopus and dressed crab. Brilliant for gluten-free (delicious GF bread!) Came off the beach - 10 mins from Bigbury-on-Sea so we had a lovely day. Thank you.
September 2019
The oyster shack
Great sea food and welcoming staff. Quirky decor very relaxed and informal. We went twice for lunch which speaks volumes and I can recommend the lobster. We visited in autumn and could imagine on a summer evening sat outside it would be magical.
July 2008
Shell Out!
Very good sea food restaurant, lots of choice - not just Oysters! Good lively atmosphere - best to book, even at lunchtime.
A small traditional pub originally built over 700 years ago for local fisherman. These days you are welcome to sit around the fire and watch the tide roll in. A popular curry night takes place on Friday each week with food supplied by the hotel. Downstairs you'll find the new Pilchard Cafe, serving food all day.
September 2020
Fabulous pub
We walked over To have a few drinks on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon, we didn’t notice that the tide had come in and we had to paddle over the main land. Great pub and atmosphere really lovely staff and food. This is a must to visit if you are in the area.
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