Discover Bigbury-on-Sea: Burgh Island and the Coast

Bigbury-on-Sea combines the Burgh Island path with coastal walks, river crossings, wildlife watching and water sports. There is also golf and the estuary of the River Avon. When planning your trip, it is especially useful to distinguish between the activities: an easy 1.3-kilometre route can be planned differently from a section where ferries, a ford and tides need to be taken into account.

Walking routes and river crossings

The Burgh Island path is an easy 0.8-mile (1.3 km) route; it starts and ends at Marine Drive Car Park in Bigbury-on-Sea. As the start and finish are at the same car park, the short route can be considered a standalone walking option.

On the South West Coast Path section from River Yealm to Bigbury-on-Sea, the River Yealm and the River Avon are crossed by ferry; the River Erme is crossed at low tide via a ford. Planning therefore depends on the ferry times and, for the River Erme, the timing of low tide. In summer, a seasonal passenger ferry also runs between Bantham and Bigbury-on-Sea (Cockleridge). Check the current ferry times before travelling.

Burgh Island: architecture and nature

Burgh Island is a Grade II listed building. The Burgh Island Hotel is an Art Deco landmark on its own tidal island. This brings two distinct points of interest into focus: a specific listed status and a striking architectural style. If architecture is part of what you look for in a destination, Bigbury-on-Sea offers this architectural highlight as well as activities on the water.

Butterflies, moths, foxes, rabbits, badgers, hedgehogs, common lizards and a wide variety of birds can regularly be spotted on Burgh Island. Wildlife is seasonal, so the time of year plays a part when planning nature-watching. The variety ranges from insects and reptiles to mammals and birds, making wildlife watching a distinct focus alongside architecture and walking.

Beach, water sports and estuary

Bigbury-on-Sea beach is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The beach has shallow water for paddling; Bigbury-on-Sea also offers opportunities for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The activities offer different options in the same destination, while a specific rental service is tied to a provider and a season.

Discovery Surf School offers kayak and paddleboard hire from a beach trailer on the Causeway side of Bigbury during the main season. Hire is subject to availability from the provider. The river landscape complements the beach: the estuary of the River Avon, also called the Aune, is near Bantham and Bigbury-on-Sea.

Golf in Bigbury-on-Sea

Bigbury Golf Club has an 18-hole course. From the white tees, the total length is 6,011 yards. This figure refers to the white tees; course details may change, so check the club's current information before playing a round. This makes golf a distinct aspect to consider alongside the short walks, the coast and activities on the water.

Discover more destinations: Kingsbridge, Molland, Copplestone, Chagford, Sampford Courtenay, Thorverton, Starcross, Ashreigney.

For the overview of the wider region: Devon.