Bigbury on Sea Walks
This attractive seaside village is located in the South Hams area of South Devon. It's a popular place for a walk with a beautiful beach, a fantastic tidal island, a river estuary and some splendid countryside. There's also a couple of noteworthy ancient pubs with a history dating back over 700 years.
This route uses part of the Avon Estuary Walk and the South West Coast Path to create a circular walk around the village. On the way you'll visit Burgh Island and the neighbouring villages of Aveton Gifford and Bigbury.
The route starts on the sea front in the village and heads over to the island. You can cross over on foot over the beach at low tide or catch the sea tractor run by the hotel on the island. The island has a strong assocation with Agatha Christie, serving as the inspirational setting for the mystery 'And Then There Were None'.
After exploring the island you return to the mainland and head along the coast to Sharpland Point, Folly Hill and Cockleridge. Here you can catch the seasonal ferry over the Avon to Bantham on the opposite side. The route then picks up the Avon Estuary Walk and follows the waymarked footpath north east past Aunemouth Sands, Stiddicombe Wood, Stadbury Farm and Efford Farm before coming to Aveton Giffford Bridge. Here you cross the river to enter the village of Aveton Giffford. The pretty village lies at the head of the estuary of the River Avon and includes a 13th century church and the streamside Fisherman's Rest pub.
After exploring the village you head south west along the other side of the river, passing Milburn Orchard, Bigbury village and Bigbury golf course. Shortly after passing around the course you descend back into Bigbury on Sea.
Bigbury on Sea Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Bigbury on Sea Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Bigbury on Sea OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Bigbury on Sea Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Bigbury on Sea
- Burgh Island - Visit this beautiful island off the south coast of Devon on this lovely coastal walk
- Avon Estuary Walk - This lovely circular walk explores both sides of the beautiful Avon Estuary in south Devon
- Kingsbridge and Bowcombe Creek - Enjoy a circular walk to the lovely Bowcombe Creek from the popular market town of Kingsbridge in the South Devon AONB
- Hope Cove to Salcombe - A splendid coastal walk from the little village of Hope Cove to Salcombe on the South West Coast Path
- Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary - Enjoy a walk along the beautiful Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary Nature Reserve on this walk in Devon
- Salcombe and Bolt Head Circular Walk - This coastal circular walk takes you from Salcombe to the coastal headland at Bolt Head
- Erme Estuary - This circular walk explores the beautiful estuary of the River Erme as it meets the English Channel in South Devon
- Bolberry Down - This easy circular walk explores the National Trust owned Bolberry Down on the Devon coast
- Loddiswell - This Devon based village has some lovely walking trails to follow through the Avon Valley
- Blackdown Rings - This walk visits an ancient Iron Age Hillfort and viewpoint in South Devon near Loddiswell.
- Modbury - This large village in South Devon is a nice place to enjoy a stroll
- Thurlestone - This circular walk on the Devon coast explores the area around Thurlestone village.
- Aveton Gifford - This short circular walk explores the area around the little village of Aveton Gifford in Devon.
- Soar Mill Cove - This circular walk explores the beautiful Soar Mill Cove on the Devon Coast.
Pubs/Cafes
On the route you could stop off at the Journey's End for some refreshments. It's a pub of some note, dating all the way back to the 13th century. Inside there's a cosy interior with four fires and a lovely conservatory. Outside there's a large garden area for warmer days. They serve high quality food and can be found at Ringmore with a postcode of TQ7 4HL for your sat navs.
On Burgh Island a visit to the 14th century Pilchard Inn is also recommended. The historic pub first served the fishermen who lived on the Island and mainland shores over 700 years ago; then the smugglers and wreckers who lured ships onto the Western rocks; and now hotel guests and the public. There's a nice outdoor area with views to enjoy with your meal. You can find them at postcode TQ7 4BG.
Dog Walking
The coast and country trails make for a fine dog walk. Dogs are welcome on the main beach from October to May, with the beach to the west of the causeway welcoming dogs throughout the year. It's best to keep them on leads in the Burgh Island area. The two old pubs mentioned above are also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head a few miles east from the village and you could visit the neighbouring town of Kingsbridge. Here you can pick up the Kingsbridge and Bowcombe Creek Walk and the Salcombe and Kingsbridge Estuary Walk. There's some great wildlife spotting opportunities here. Also to the east you can pick up the coastal Hope Cove to Salcombe Walk.
Head west along the coast path and you will soon come to the Erme Estuary and the lovely Wonwell Beach.
A few miles to the north east there's the worthy village of Loddiswell where you can enjoy some fine trails through the River Avon Valley. The village includes an historic 14th century church and the old Loddiswell Railway Station as well. Near here there's the climb to the viewpoint and Iron Age Hillfort at Blackdown Rings.
On the opposite side of the estuary you can explore Thurlestone and Bantham. Here you'll find the National Trust's lovely South Milton beach, the striking Thurlestone Rock Arch and a great beachside seafood cafe.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Devon Walks page.
Photos
Signpost on coast path, Bigbury-on-Sea. A signpost on Marine drive directs walkers along the top of slumped cliffs at the village, towards the sand that connects (except at high tide) Burgh Island to the mainland.
The view of Bigbury-on-Sea from the Pilchard Inn on Burgh Island, with the causeway exposed at low tide.
Thurlestone: near Stiddicombe Wood. A view upstream on a public footpath from Bantham with the Avon estuary at low tide. Stiddicombe Wood on the right
Thurlestone, Jenkins Quay, Bantham. Near the mouth of the Avon, on Bantham Ham
Avon Estuary. After a delightful crossing aboard the diminutive Bantham ferry operated by the harbour master and his dog, you are rewarded with this view of Burgh Island. The island, cut off at high tide, is occupied by a hotel that was apparently frequented by Agatha Christie, and the medieval Pilchard Inn.
Aveton Gifford, near North Efford. The River Avon, looking upstream on a December afternoon at low tide
Creek near Milburn Orchard. A tidal creek leading into the Avon Estuary. Taken from the Tidal Road at the mouth of the creek.
Bigbury: towards Green Well. With the quay at Villa Crusoe beyond, on the left and the River Avon at low tide. Seen from a point near Stiddicombe Wood on a public path from Bantham