Bigbury-on-Sea - Burgh Island & Bay

Essential Intel

This investigation includes clues on Burgh Island. If the tide is in, you will need to pay to use the sea tractor to access the island; if the tide is low, you can cross by the beach causeway. Check the current sea tractor prices before you set off.

The Trail incorporates a short section along the South West Coast Path, plus steep hills, a slipway, a beach crossing, wooden steps and a short road section with no pavements. Appropriate footwear is strongly advised, and care is needed around roads, the coast path and the beach crossing.

In peak season, you may need to hunt for a clue behind a garage-type structure in the caravan park.

Navigating The Route

This is a varied coastal Detective Mystery around Bigbury-on-Sea, Burgh Island and the bay, with Detectives helping investigate a case set around the Kandabukarum Hotel in Bigbury to find out what happened to hotel owner Jerry Atric by following the trail, cracking clues and eliminating innocent suspects.

The investigation covers 2.1 miles and should take 2+ hours to complete. You will begin at the main car park on Marine Drive, head down towards the cafe and facilities, use the slipway and beach crossing to reach Burgh Island, climb on the island, then continue along the coast path to Challaborough before returning to the starting area at Bigbury-on-Sea.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Expect some steep hills, a beach crossing, a coastal path section, wooden steps and a road section with no pavements, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

Keep Mini Detectives close on the road section with no pavements, around the wooden steps and anywhere near the water or beach crossing. The tide will affect how you access Burgh Island, so plan your timing carefully.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at the Main car park on Marine Drive, Bigbury-on-Sea (TQ7 4AS), using ///gymnasium.flux.admires. Detectives should park here and start at the bottom car park, close to the cafe and facilities.

By public transport: Make your way to the Main car park on Marine Drive, Bigbury-on-Sea to begin the case. The route returns to the starting area at Bigbury-on-Sea once the evidence has been gathered.

Need the Loo?

Toilets are available in the car park at the start of this Trail, close to where the investigation begins.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome on this coastal case 🐾

The route includes steep hills, a slipway, beach crossing, coastal path, wooden steps and a short road section with no pavements, so keep canine colleagues close around traffic, steps and the water. Tide conditions affect the Burgh Island crossing, so factor that into your plans before paws hit the sand.

Food & Drink Stops

Refreshments can be found throughout the route, but only in limited locations. The investigation passes the cafe near the start, the Beach Shop, the pub opposite the beach in Challaborough and the Holiday Park shop.

Burgh Island is suggested as a picnic spot, especially around Clues 06/07 where Detectives can enjoy the best views while reviewing the evidence.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Burgh Island

The Trail crosses over to Burgh Island, either by the beach causeway at low tide or by sea tractor when the tide is in. The island has hosted many famous people, including Louis Mountbatten, Noel Coward, the Beatles, Winston Churchill and Kirk Douglas. Abdicated King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson also visited here.

The Pilchard Inn

The Pilchard Inn dates back to the first monastery and monks brewing their own ale. It is reportedly haunted by the smuggler Tom Crocker, who was said to have been shot dead by revenue men at the pub's front porch - a suitably suspicious extra for Detectives with a taste for local legend.

Burgh Island beach and causeway

The beach crossing and causeway are part of the adventure when the tide is low, while the sea tractor takes over when the tide is high. The route includes views around Clues 06/07 and a climb to the island's highest point, making this a memorable place to pause once the casework allows.

Challaborough lime kilns

At Challaborough, look out for the last of three lime kilns. The kilns burned limestone to form lime, which farmers spread on fields to counteract acidic soil. Limestone was brought up the coast from Plymouth by boat, then transported to the kiln by pack horse.