side of Burgh Island Hotel overlooking sea

The Benefits of a Digital Detox at Burgh Island

In a world where we’re constantly connected, stimulated and ‘just a phone call away’, sometimes it can be nice to indulge in a little bit of quiet calm and step away from it all. For many, the relentless pace of digital life can leave us feeling drained, distracted, and disconnected from what truly matters: rest, presence, and peace of mind. To combat this feeling, a digital detox offers a rare opportunity to step away from the screens and get back in touch with living entirely in the moment. 

 

A digital detox isn’t just a break from screens; it’s a way to completely reset one’s mind. Stepping away from devices allows the mind to slow, the body to relax, and space for a deeper connection to ourselves and our surroundings. It’s a chance to trade the noise of notifications for the sound of waves, and the glare of blue light for the glow of natural beauty. If this sounds like something that calls to you in particular… we know just the place.

 

Tucked away off the coast of South Devon, Burgh Island offers a rare kind of escape. Cut off from the mainland by a tidal causeway and steeped in 1930s glamour, the island invites you to return to a slower rhythm. With no distractions but the sea, the stars, and the elegant charm of our Art Deco retreat, it’s a place where switching off doesn’t feel like a challenge.

A Digital Detox in Today's World

From the moment we wake to the moment we sleep, our days are often dominated by screens. Bombarded by notifications, endless emails, scrolling news feeds, and social media timelines can lead to constant connectivity that can feel overwhelming. The results of such connection include rising stress levels, fragmented attention, poor sleep quality, social comparison, and a creeping sense of burnout. Our devices, while helpful, often keep us in a cycle of overstimulation that makes it difficult to truly switch off.

 

Science increasingly supports what many of us already feel: stepping away from our screens can transform our mental and emotional wellbeing. Detoxing digitally has been shown to improve sleep patterns, sharpen focus, reduce anxiety, and even restore creativity. However, most importantly, unplugging allows us to be fully present with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us.

Detoxing Digitally at Burgh Island

Perched off the coast of South Devon, Burgh Island is a departure from the everyday. This private tidal island, home to the iconic Burgh Island Hotel, offers a rare chance to truly disconnect from modern life and reconnect with yourself, your surroundings, and those you’re with. Secluded, serene, and steeped in history, it’s a natural fit for a digital detox.

 

Reaching Burgh Island involves crossing a tidal causeway on foot when the tide is low, or aboard the island’s legendary Sea Tractor when the waves rise. Each step or splash away from the mainland draws you closer to something slower, simpler, and far more enriching. By the time you set foot on the island, the distractions of modern life already feel miles away.

 

At Burgh Island, you won’t be greeted by flickering TVs or glowing digital displays. Our interiors preserve the elegance of the 1920s and 30s, inviting guests to lean into the pleasures of a bygone age. Many of our rooms intentionally lack televisions, and those that do keep them discreetly tucked away. Here, the art of conversation, the joy of journaling, or the peace of quiet reflection takes precedence over screen time. The ping of your phone is replaced by the hush of the sea meeting the shore, the wind dancing through tall grass and the distant call of seabirds overhead. It’s the kind of stillness that modern life so rarely offers.

The Benefits You'll Experience at Burgh Island

Burgh Island’s soothing rhythm and peaceful isolation create the perfect environment to truly exhale. With no distractions, deadlines, or digital noise, your body and mind can slow down, letting tension melt away. Without screens competing for attention, the here and now becomes more vivid, and whether you’re sipping tea in your room, enjoying a cocktail in the Palm Court Lounge, listening to the tide roll in, or enjoying a candlelit dinner, you’ll find yourself immersed in every detail, quietly appreciating moments as they unfold.


Proven to help improve sleep, without the glow of blue light or the temptation of late night scrolling, restful sleep comes naturally. Let the quiet hum of the sea lull you to bed and wake up restored, ready to greet the day with calmer energy. Additionally, if you have a particular project you’ve been neglecting, Burgh Island has long been a muse to artists and writers. Agatha Christie penned two novels here, while other creatives have enjoyed artistic breakthroughs and sought inspiration on our shores. With space to think clearly and no interruptions, creativity has room to bloom. Whether journaling, sketching, or simply dreaming, you’ll find inspiration in the stillness.

Your Digital Detox Itinerary

Days on Burgh Island unfold with gentle rhythm. Dress for dinner and enjoy mindful dining in The Grand Ballroom, where conversation and connection are the only things on the menu. Read by the fire in our elegant lounges. Rediscover the joy of board games, billiards, and books. Browse our library, begin an anticipated new read, listen to live music, or simply observe the world go by from a quiet spot with a view.

 

For a breath of fresh air, step outside and let nature lead. Wander our coastal paths, dip your toes in the sea, sketch the landscape, or photograph the shifting light. It’s not about posting or proving, it’s about savouring and seeing.

 

When the digital world fades, real connection flourishes. Couples rediscover meaningful moments. Friends laugh freely without interruption. Even conversations with fellow guests take on new depth. On Burgh Island, the absence of Wi-Fi becomes the presence of something far richer: a real, human connection and moments you’ll cherish forever.

Book Your Escape 

Ready to rediscover true relaxation and reconnect with what truly matters? Begin your transformative digital detox journey to Burgh Island and enjoy a setting like no other. Here is where timeless charm, coastal calm, and complete disconnection combine, allowing you to step away from the ordinary and embrace what makes us extraordinary.

 

Learn more about planning your screen-free retreat at Burgh Island and experience the profound benefits of unplugging in our peaceful, private island setting. Enquire today about our digital detox experiences and reclaim your peace of mind. Visit burghisland.com or contact our team to start planning your stay.