Monday 15th September 2025, 12:00am

Birthday Tea at Burgh Island

What better way to celebrate the birthday of Agatha Christie than at this stunning and unique location where Agatha not only stayed but was inspired to write Evil Under the Sun and And Then There Were None. Guests will be treated to a coach ride from Torquay to Bigbury-on-Sea, which is the closest mainland location to Burgh Island. You will then ride the iconic sea tractor* across to Burgh Island. Following a cream tea in the glorious Nettlefold restaurant with its stunning sea views, you will enjoy a tour of the island and see the places that inspired the locations in Evil Under the Sun.

Spaces are very limited so book early to avoid disappointment!

Burgh Island was bought in 1927 by the filmmaker Archibald Nettlefold, who built the beautiful Art Deco hotel that is still there today. It quickly became a popular location for a plethora of distinguished guests such as Noel Coward, Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, Josephine Baker, and of course, Agatha Christie, after whom the stunning beach house is now named. Now restored to its original Art Deco splendor, it is one of the foremost places in Europe to experience the glamour of the 1930s.

Timetable for the day

12pm The coach leaves from outside the main entrance to Torre Abbey.
1pm After a coach ride through the magical South Devon countryside, we arrive at Bigbury-on-Sea and catch the sea tractor* across to the Island.
1.30pm Cream tea is served in the Nettlefold restaurant.
2.30pm Island tour. Matt will give a tour of the Island to show the real-life locations that inspired places in Evil Under the Sun, such as Pixy Cove and Gull Cove. You will also be able to spot filming locations from the David Suchet version of Evil Under the Sun.
3.30pm With the tide now out, guests can walk back across the sands to the bus.
4pm Coach leaves Bigbury-on-Sea.
5pm Arrival back at Torre Abbey.

Please note

  • The sea tractor is weather dependent and will not run in unsafe conditions. If this is the case, the afternoon will be delayed slightly, so guests will be able to walk across to the island at 3pm. We will notify you in advance if this is going to happen.

Ticket price includes return travel, a cream tea and tour of the island. Alcoholic drinks and cocktails are not included in the price.

On booking, please email admin@iacf-uk.org to inform us of any dietary requirements.

Gallery

Venue: Burgh Island

Accessibility

For general enquiries, please email admin@iacf-uk.org or for more specific accessibility requirements please contact Burgh Island directly on reception@burghisland.com or by phone on 01548 810 514. Whilst we will do everything in our power to make this event accessible to all, please note the following information.

On the sea tractor, there are 11 steps from the ground to the covered seating area.

There is a steep lane from the sand up to the hotel entrance. Transport can be arranged in advance for this, and also for guests who are unable to walk across the sands at the end of the visit. Please do contact admin@iacf-uk.org in plenty of time so we can arrange this.

It is a flat walk from the hotel entrance to the Nettlefold Restaurant and out onto the terrace.

The walk around the Island is optional. The terrain is steep and uneven and not suitable for those of limited mobility. An alternative is to enjoy the scenery and grounds on the terrace immediately outside the Palm Court lounge which includes coastal views across to the mainland and over the Mermaid pool and Agatha’s beach house.

For a 360-degree tour of the island: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=n5VUbvYJHyp

Burgh Island
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