The Beacon
4469Bigbury-on-Sea / Sleeps 6 + cot*
7 Nights from £705
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearest pub
The Pilchard Inn (¾ mile)
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.
Mrs George 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.
Nearest beach
Bantham (½ mile)
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.
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
Nearest walk
Burgh Island (¾ mile)
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.
Mrs George 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.
Mrs Pratt 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.
Simon Tregoning 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.
Mr Whitehorn 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!
Nearest town
Bigbury on Sea (¼ mile)
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.
Mrs Pratt October 2013
Local post office stores is Tardis-like - we could find all we needed there, and friendly too
Also nearby
Bigbury Golf Club (¾ mile)
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.
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!
Bigbury on Sea Beach (½ mile)
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.
Mrs Van De Poll 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!
Mrs Pratt October 2013
Large sandy beach when the tide is out. Interesting rock formations around towards the Avon estuary.
Mrs Gage 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.
Simon Tregoning July 2008
Great beach
A large sandy beach with some surf. Walk to Burgh Island at low tide or take the sea tractor.
Oyster Shack (2 miles)
Fresh, local oysters from Bigbury Bay; if you are squeamish about eating them raw, there are a variety of baked and grilled options.
Miss Starrs 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.
Greenway (15 miles)
Agatha Christie's holiday home nestles on a crook of the River Dart in a beautiful woodland garden that is home to such horticultural treasures as Monterey pines, eucalyptus, China roses, myrtle and Turkey oaks. For a magical experience that's also kind to the environment, travel there by boat. 'Green ways' ferries leave from Dartmouth, Brixham and Torquay. Following a major restoration project, The National Trust has re-opened the house to the public, where quirky collections of memorabillia offer a glimpse into the private life of the well-loved crime writer. For house opening times and an events list, please visit the Web site.
Miss Waller August 2020
Beautiful!
Amazing grounds and lovely views of the Dart.
October 2019
Lovely day out
This house is in the most beautiful spot, you could really imagine living there. The gardens are gorgeous and the walk beside the river is great for body and soul - look out for the resident seal!
Mrs Pitty August 2019
Well worth a visit
The setting exquisite. Such lovely views. A walk to the boathouse a must. Trails for the children excellent.
Dr Brown July 2014
The journey to the house by way of the National Trust ferry was enjoyable as was the walk back to Dartmouth along the Dart Valley Trail and ferry (higher or lower will do, the former is cheaper). Unfortunately the house itself was a little disappointing with an over cluttered interior that did not really tell any particular story. There were bits and pieces of interest but overall it seemed as though everything from different times and sources was put in that could be which detracted. The entry to the house is timed but we still felt that it was over-crowded and NT should consider making the house visits guided only. The walled gardens were good with a beautifully restored peach house providing a highlight.
June 2013
Well worth a visit to this house, an effort to get there as you can't go by car unless you pre-book. It was a nice ride there in the boat but you would need good weather. Lovely spring flowers in the grounds. Cafe/restaurant disappointing as there were no main meal available.
Viv Chandler May 2012
Enjoyed by All
A lovely house in beautiful surroundings on the banks of the River Dart. Good to see the interiors haven't been messed around with and still look as if Agatha and her family have just popped out for a minute. I can see why she loved it so much and the gardens are a delight. Thoroughly enjoyed by all - including a 22 year old male! Well worth a visit but, if arriving by car, don't forget to pre-book a parking space.
Mrs Quigg November 2011
A lovely boat ride from Dartmouth, but overall the house was disappointing. A hotch potch interior and hard to believe it was inhabited up until 2004. All furniture pre-dates the turn of the last century. The children did enjoy completing their quiz sheets 'can you find' and I can really recommend the pasties in the coffee takeaway shop (not the main cafe).
March 2010
An inspirational place!
This beautiful house set in wonderful surrounding is well worth a visit. It is easy to see why Agatha Christie loved this place and penned a number of her novels here. The surrounding woodlands with views of the River Dart are superb. You can take a ferry from Dartmouth to get to Greenway but we chose to take the foot ferry from Dittisham (another charming little place). I would highly recommend a visit to this lovely area.
March 2009
Visiting Greenway is a lovely way to spend the day, they also have occasional events so it is worth having a look before you go to see if any take your fancy. If you like gardens, I would recommend visiting Greenway as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 2008
'The Loveliest Place in the World'
Agatha Christie was right to call this the 'loveliest place in the world'. Arriving by ferry is really the best way to see it. A stroll in the pretty woodland gardens followed by some delicious homemade food in the Barn Cafe, rounded off with the return trip on the ferry makes for a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
Kingsbridge (4 ¾ miles)
If you're looking for a traditional, bustling market town surrounded by lush rolling countryside then Kingsbridge is the place for you. Situated at the head of the estuary you'll find interesting lanes and passageways with an eclectic assortment of independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
August 2011
Lovely town to visit with quirky little market.
August 2008
Kingsbridge
Set on a steep hill with a small harbour at the bottom, where a weekly market is held, Kingsbridge has lots of lovely shops to wander in and out of- often owned by generations of the same family- something we see too little of these days. A few good deli's, greengrocers, and butchers shops lend it an old fashioned air - reminds me of towns from 30 years ago - and there are plenty of chic kitchen and furnishings/interiors shops and cafes to entice as well as a popular farmers market once a month . Great 25m swimming pool and gym/squash facilities at the leisure centre, the Reel Cinema, which is small but perfectly formed, a bowling green and tennis courts, and trips down the estuary on "Rivermaid" means this is a place with lots on offer!! Wish I could live there!!
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