Monday 14th September 2026

Afternoon Tea at Burgh Island (SOLD OUT)

After last year’s sell-out success, we are delighted to be revisiting 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. A luxury coach will take you from Torre Abbey to Bigbury-on-Sea, which is the closest mainland location to Burgh Island. It will be low tide this year, so guests can walk across the sands if they are able. A guided tour of the island seeing the places that inspired the locations in Evil Under the Sun will be followed by a sumptuous afternoon tea in the Nettlefold restaurant.

Tickets sold out very quickly last year and, as spaces are very limited, do 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 splendour, it is one of the foremost places in Europe to experience the glamour of the 1930s.

https://www.burghisland.com/

Timetable for the day

  • 11.30am The coach leaves from outside the reception main entrance to Torre Abbey.
  • 12.30pm After a coach ride through the magical South Devon countryside, we arrive at Bigbury-on-Sea and walk across to the Island.
  • 1-2pm Island tour. Miss Lemon 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.
  • 2-3.30pm Sumptuous afternoon tea is served in the Nettlefold Restaurant.
  • 3.30pm Guests can walk back across the sands to the bus.
  • 4pm Coach leaves Bigbury-on-Sea.
  • 5pm Arrival back at Torre Abbey.

Please note

As the tide will be out for the duration of our visit, we will not be riding on the sea tractor. The sea tractor, however, will be parked on the sands by the Island for any photo opportunities!

Ticket price includes return travel, an afternoon 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

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.

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. 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.
Please note there are a number of steps up to the ladies’ toilets.

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: my.matterport.com/show

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