5th century Britons loved to party on Bigbury beach, swapping local tin and iron for wine, oil and spices with Mediterranean traders. Through the following centuries the Island was inhabited by monks, engaged in quiet contemplation and the brewing of mead. Pilchard fishermen launched from Island’s shores: our pub evolved.
In the 18th century, smugglers and wreckers hid on the Island,

recovering from the Great War, widow Rose had to sell, in 1927, to “Uncle” Archie Nettlefold who built a new hotel – a white art deco liner nestled in terraced grounds. The slightly eccentric hotel was transformed in 1932 by the modernising hand of Paul Roseveare. This brought the clean, horizontal lines of 1930s moderne to the island. Our past glamorous guests are remembered in the names of many of our rooms.

secure for the time each day when the tides protected them from law enforcing excise men. The pilchard shoals diminished through changing fishing methods and the fishermen left for the cities.
Burgh Island was a very sleepy place in 1895 when music hall singer George Chirgwin built the first hotel here. This is the dark green wooden building at the front of the present hotel, now used as staff accommodation. Never