Burgh Island and Bigbury Day Trip with Autistic Children, Devon
- May 15
- 4 min read
Updated: May 17
Burgh Island and Bigbury are wild romantic places. With ancient ties to murky smugglers and seafaring captains, it's easy to see why crime writer Agatha Christie chose this slice off Devon to retreat to throughout her career.
Today, Bigbury offers autistic families a perfect mix of space, adventure and sensory play.
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Visiting Burgh Island and Bigbury Beach
I have always been captivated by Burgh Island and its literary connection with Agatha Christie. Not only did Christie regularly use the island's exclusive hotel as a writer's retreat throughout the 1930's, she also set two of her novels on the island (Evil under the Sun, And Then There Were None).
The adjacent Bigbury beach also holds it own, and its flat broad expanse of sand is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike.
Read on for more information and hot to make the most out of your visit with autistic children.
Burgh Island
Burgh Island is privately owned (the hotel is only open to staying guests), however beachgoers are welcome to visit the island and walk up to see the ruined chapel at its summit.
Arriving on the island you are greeted by the Pilchard Inn. Dating from 1336 it is ne of Devon's oldest pubs, if pirates and smuggling are your thing then you won't find anywhere with a better history than here! It is a lovely spot to stop for a drink. From the inn it is a (mostly) gentle uphill walk around the edge of the hotel grounds, with spectacular views of the clifftops and beaches back along the south Devon coast.
There are plenty of grassy spots on the island to sit and look out across the sea, and my eldest and I love watching the seabirds as they soar up the wind thermals then swoop and dive for fish. The ruined chapel at the top of the hill offers a secluded spot to escape the gusting wind and to stop for a snack.
The top of the hill marks the halfway point before you loop back down to the beach on the other side.
As there is only one path around the island it is impossible to get lost!
Tidal Causeway
There is romance too in the tidal nature of Burgh Island's location. For 2 - 3 hours (twice a day) the island can only be reached by using the sea tractor.
At other times it is safe to cross on foot (around 3 hours before and after low tide) and the boys love racing across its broad expanse, stopping to play in the shallows and rockpools.
Bigbury Beach
Bigbury beach itself is a large flat sandy expanse and well served with a car park with blue badge spaces (pay by online app), a cafe and large toilet block.
If you like surfing or other water sports then the Discovery Surf School are on site in the carpark - you can hire wetsuits and bodyboards by the hour which we have done before, as well as kayaks and paddleboards.
Check their website for up-to-date pricing and some great pictures of Bigbury beach!
Bigbury's shallow waters are great for kids, especially if you autistic child loves splashing, paddling and rock-pooling, but doesn't want you fussing over them. For us it has always been a safe family friendly destination where we have even be able to relax a little. Over the years we have had many picnics on its sands and built lots and lots of sandcastles!
Parking at Bigbury
As you would expect, a beach this good does get very busy during the summer, so either arrive early to secure a car park, or take your chances and be prepared to wait. Access to the beach from the car park is via a steep set of steps or you can take the longer, but gentler boat ramp.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Bigbury and Burgh Island with autistic children
I have always love visiting Bigbury, scampering across the sandy causeway at low tide and walking the now familiar loop around Burgh Island, I really hope you will too. It's a great family friendly beach, and with plenty of space, particularly earlier in the day -you can be sure of a great visit and lots of fun.
If you want to make sure can walk over to Burgh Island then make sure to check our the Bigbury / Burgh Island tide crossing times here. Remember you can cross the causeway around 2 - 3 hours either side of low tide.
Happy Travels x
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