Devon has plenty of charming villages to explore, but one has been named the top pick. Hotel.com compiled its list of the best spots in the region, from cobblestone streets to hidden coves, and this coastal gem came out on top.
Bigbury-on-Sea is a small village in South Devon with sweeping views over Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island. It sits above the largest beach in South Devon, making it a popular escape from city life. The beach has facilities including toilets, showers, a first aid room, seasonal lifeguards, and a beach cafe. It also offers water sports, with a year-round surf school and shops renting boards, wetsuits, and kayaks. The shallow waters make it ideal for kayaking.
One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: "This place is mine and my husband's favourite place in England. We bring the kids, and it’s such a lovely time. It’s the most beautiful spot."
At low tide, visitors can walk across a 250-metre sand causeway to Burgh Island, which takes about eight minutes. At high tide, the only way across is a sea tractor, costing roughly £2 a ticket. The island is linked to Agatha Christie, who used it for her novels *And Then There Were None* and *Evil Under the Sun*. The Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel is a standout feature, and one visitor shared: "Visitors can walk across the causeway at low tide or experience a unique sea tractor crossing when the tide is high. The island is strongly associated with Agatha Christie, who used it as inspiration for her novels And Then There Were None and Evil Under the Sun. The Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel's design is a standout feature, offering a glimpse into the past. A must-visit charming island!"
Guests can stay overnight at the Burgh Island Hotel, a luxury Grade II listed Art Deco building from 1929 that has hosted famous guests including The Beatles and Winston Churchill. For a lighter stop, The Pilchard Inn is a 14th-century pub serving seasonal dishes by a fire or on a patio overlooking the sea. The island is quiet, but the scenery makes it worth the trip, and it has an English pub to round out the visit.
Bigbury-on-Sea Named Devon’s Best Village, Not Clovelly or Beer